The famous Hollywood exes who act like they never existed


From public drama to a quiet parting of ways, these couples won't be seeking out their ex-partner for a lunch date any time soon


Britney Spears and boyfriend Justin Timberlake arrive at the premiere of her movie "Crossroads" at the Mann Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Ca., Feb. 11, 2002. © Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
1 hour ago

Not every breakup is created equal but some former partners, like Demi Moore and Bruce Willis or Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, become best friends when the fresh hurt of heartbreak has settled. For others, it's a case of 'goodbye and good luck' before their partner is removed from their lives, opting for a clean break rather than a drawn-out drama. 

We've gathered the most famous former couples who no longer speak, or only do so to manage co-parenting arrangements and divorce settlement terms. Read on for the details on the celebs who are never, ever, ever getting back together...

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes pictured together in 2005.© Getty Images

Tom and Katie now lead completely separate lives

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes

Tom Cruise has had some seriously high profile romantic ties, from Nicole Kidman to Penelope Cruz and Mimi Rogers, but his relationship with (and split from) Katie Holmes is one of the most famous.

The pair reportedly haven't spoken to one another since they parted ways, not even to discuss daughter Suri of whom Katie has sole custody.

TV personality Jesse James and wife actress Sandra Bullock arrive at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010.© WireImage via Getty Images

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James ended on bad terms

Sandra Bullock & Jesse James

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James tied the knot in 2005, two years after they met at West Coast Choppers. While 2010 marked particular highs in Sandra's career, including her first Oscar, it was also the year that her personal life took a hit. 

Days after a red carpet appearance together, an interview with a woman claiming to have carried out an affair with Jesse was published. Their marriage soon broke apart, but Sandra proved she was made of stern stuff, going on to adopt two children as a solo parent.

Sophia Bush and husband Chad Michael Murray during "House of Wax" Los Angeles Premiere - Outside Arrivals at Mann Village Theater in Westwood, California, United States.© FilmMagic via Getty Images

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray grew up and apart since their split

Sophia Bush & Chad Michael Murray

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray were still in their early 20s when they tied the knot, and it seems – for this couple – the decision came a little too early in life. After meeting on the set of One Tree Hill in 2003, they wed in April 2005 and separated five months later. 

Sophia has admitted they were both reluctant to make the jump as they were so young and their lives were entwined personally and professionally. In 2021, she stated she wouldn't discuss Chad any further, saying he's "somebody who I don't even know anymore". 

Musicians John Mayer and Taylor Swift attend the launch of VEVO, the world's premiere destination for premium music video and entertainment at Skylight Studio on December 8, 2009 in New York City© Getty Images for VEVO

John Mayer and Taylor Swift are certainly never getting back together

John Mayer & Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is well-known for taking her heartbreak into the studio, and the most famous example of this is surely the track that came in the wake of her split from John Mayer.

'Dear John' didn't go down well with the ex in question, with Mayer telling Rolling Stone it was a "lousy thing for her to do". He added: "Because I didn’t deserve it. I’m pretty good at taking accountability now, and I never did anything to deserve that."

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.© WireImage via Getty Images

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake appeared to patch things up for a time

Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake

Not many celebrities have faced the level of scrutiny Britney Spears was subjected to, and she's since taken back control of both her career and the publicity surrounding it. 

In 2022, she criticised Justin Timberlake for his role in her tumultuous day-to-day, suggesting he used her name to sell his debut album Justified in 2002. The post was subsequently deleted.

Musicians Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton arrive for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. © WireImage via Getty Images

Blake and Miranda have moved on with their – very separate – lives

Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's love story is worthy of a Hallmark special: the country music duo met while performing a duet and wed six years later in 2011.

Unfortunately, it's not such a straightforward happy-ever-after, and the couple split in 2015. While there were rumours of cheating, both parties denied the claims. Now, it seems they've both moved on, leading completely different lives at a distance.

Angelina Jolie in a pale pink dress with Brad Pitt at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.© Anadolu via Getty Images

Brad and Angelina's contact has focussed on custody and divorce papers

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were once one of Hollywood's most glamorous couples, forever leaving their mark on pop-culture as Brangelina. They share six children together, including three biological children. 

Since they registered their divorce in 2016, it seems most of the couple's contact has come with lawyers in tow, with the pair only reaching a final divorce settlement in December 2024. 

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