2023 Wrapped: Biggest celebrity breakups in the Philippines and elsewhere
Grabe ka, 2023!
There have been several high-profile breakups over the year. Whether the relationship lasted for just a few months to over 12 years, the celebrity couples’ separation cut deep especially for their stans who have invested a lot of time (and energy) shipping them.
From the Philippines to the United States, here are the biggest breakups of the year. (Wala na sanang humabol bago mag-New Year’s Eve, please!)
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn
Entertainment Tonight on April 8 broke the news that Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn ended their relationship after six years. The breakup, which happened a few weeks before the report, was said to be "amicable" and "not dramatic."
A source said their relationship “had just run its course.” It’s also the reason why Alwyn hasn’t been spotted in Swift's recent shows.
An April 10 report from People, meanwhile, cited how they've had "rough patches before and always worked things out," but just "weren't right for each other." Insiders also said Alwyn "didn't like the limelight," and reportedly struggled with Taylor's level of fame.
Andrea Brillantes and Ricci Rivero
Rumors of their breakup happened in May, as Ricci Rivero was seen in the Instagram Story and post of Leren Bautista, a municipal councilor in Los Baños in Laguna. They distributed food packs to constituents as part of his birthday celebration. (In October, Ricci confirmed his relationship with Leren.)
Ricci also faced cheating allegations, with viral photos online showing a woman in his residence and Andrea Brillantes reportedly seeing her.
By June, Ricci addressed the breakup rumors, saying he owns up to the "mistake" of not making his relationship status public. He didn't explicitly mention Andrea or their assumed breakup.
In a guesting over Fast Talk with Boy Abunda weeks after, Ricci said he and Andrea “took a break from each other,” but stressed it was never about a third party in their relationship.
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, in a joint statement on Sept. 6, said they have “mutually decided to amicably end” their marriage “after four wonderful years.”
Reports claimed that before issuing their statement, Joe filed for divorce from Sophie in a United States court as their marriage, according to the filing, was “irretrievably broken.”
They also have a prenuptial agreement, or a contract establishing their respective rights to property and support.
But last October, Joe filed a motion to dismiss his divorce petition, as he and Sophie reached “various agreements” and plan to “pursue an amicable resolution of all issues.”
Sophie, however, filed for divorce from Joe in the United Kingdom and sued him for supposedly withholding their children’s passports.
Jisoo and Ahn Bo Hyun
Jisoo of BLACKPINK and Ahn Bo Hyun of Itaewon Class fame parted ways after dating for about three months.
Jisoo’s agency YG Entertainment, in a statement on Oct. 24, said they “naturally became distant due to their busy schedules.”
They sparked dating rumors in August, with YG at the time saying they were in the phase of getting to know each other.
Kris Aquino and Mark Leviste
Kris Aquino, in an Instagram post on Nov. 20, said she initiated a breakup with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Mark Leviste on Nov. 3.
She said it was a “well thought-out decision” based on “choosing to do what’s best for me now,” and since she’s “dealing with so much,” her love life “isn’t a priority.”
“The truth is that I chose to lessen the stressors in my life and put my [well-being] first,” she said.
Mark first reached out to Kris in 2019, when she wrote an Instagram post asking single men aged 41 to 55 to add her on Facebook. Leviste was up to the challenge and commented: "Looking for someone single, aged 41?"
In March 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when everybody is cooped up at home, Kris shared an art card that read, "Choose those who choose you," as she held a "love life forum" with followers. Mark replied he was choosing her, only for her to reject his offer.
But Kris seemed to have come around a year later when they were reportedly spotted on a dinner date.
Kris confirmed her past relationship and split with Mark on July 10, saying that she had to put it on pause due to her current situation abroad.
While Mark gave her a trinity ring in August, Kris in September shared a screenshot of their conversation, in which she asked him whether he was tired of the unanswered messages, and that she preferred if he wouldn’t keep in touch.
Miles Ocampo and Elijah Canlas
Elijah Canlas, on Nov. 23, said he and Miles Ocampo broke up “a couple of months ago,” noting they went through “a rough patch” amid personal issues.
Despite the split, he said his love for Miles will always be there and he will always be her number one fan.
Days afterward, Miles told the media that she was doing well and that her family was by her side.
They confirmed their relationship in May 2022, saying they’ve been together since 2021.
Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla
Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, or KathNiel to fans, confirmed the end of their 11-year relationship on Nov. 30 after weeks of rumors and speculation.
Kathryn, in an Instagram post, said their relationship is something she “would never regret and never trade for anything in the world,” as it brought her "joy, adventure, and the feeling of being home."
"Our love story began with respect and ended with respect," she said.
Daniel, in a now-deleted post, meanwhile, thanked Kathryn for “dancing” with him during his “highs” and “singing” with him during his “lows.” “Our lives may drift away, but our love will still ride that tide," he said.
The breakup between them was first brought up by talent manager Ogie Diaz through a source. While clarifying that there was no confirmation yet, Ogie cited an insider again as he mentioned Brillantes, who’s supposedly secretly meeting with Daniel.
Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez
Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez haven’t explicitly announced their split, but there has been speculation for months that they’re already no more.
They’re no longer flexing each other online as usual, and have been spending time with their children separately.
Richard’s mom, Annabelle Rama, in the first week of December, said he had been living with her for over a month already. Annabelle also threw shade at Sarah, saying her son is busy working while the other is splurging.
Sarah’s dad, Abdel, meanwhile, wrote a cryptic post during their family time, telling the public to not mind dogs barking.
Last Dec. 26, Sarah’s mom Esther said Richard and Sarah are in a “co-parenting” setup.
They got married in 2020 after dating for eight years.
Jennie and V
Jennie of BLACKPINK and V, or Kim Taehyung, of BTS have reportedly parted ways ahead of the latter’s military enlistment on Dec. 11.
They never confirmed nor denied their relationship, but sparked dating rumors after they were spotted on a holiday together on Jeju island in May 2022. Another photo of them made the rounds online the following August.
Last May, a viral video showed Jennie and V walking hand in hand in Paris.
Kim Chiu and Xian Lim
Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, who were also ensnarled in breakup rumors for weeks, made the official announcement on Dec. 23.
KimXi has been together for nearly 12 years.
Kim, in an Instagram post, said it was the “end of a love story,” and that it was their “mutual decision” to transition their relationship into what they hope to be a lifelong friendship.
Xian, meanwhile, said that their relationship, like all good things, “must eventually come to an end.” He added that there are “no goodbyes here,” as he’ll see Kim around, calling her petunia.
