Celebrity breakups in 2016

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt shocked the world with the news of their split in September, after two years of marriage and over a decade together.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s split in May quickly turned messy, as the actress accused Johnny of abusing her throughout their relationship. Earlier this month, it was reported that the Pirates of the Caribbean star was refusing to pay the $6.8 million divorce settlement to Amber after she penned an open letter about domestic violence.

After almost six years together, Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama broke up in June. “This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but we have realised more than anything that we are better as best friends. We will always be supportive of one another,” the couple said in a joint statement posted on social media.

It was the split that rocked the nation, as The Bachelor NZ star Jordan Mauger ended things with his season’s winner, Fleur Verhoeven, just two days after the final episode aired. Now, the pair have both found new love with other people – Fleur with fellow photographer Richard Wood and Jordan with Los Angeles-based DJ Gina Middleton.

When fans first met The Block NZ duo Jamie Johns and Hayden Campbell in October last year, the duo were happily engaged and excited about tying the knot in a Rarotongan wedding. But when we caught up with them less than three months after the live auction finale, they revealed exclusively that they had split.” With all those challenges [on the show], we started to learn the very complicated nuts and bolts about each other. We were each other’s biggest support, but in that process, we started to grow closer together as best friends and not as close as a couple. More than anything, we both want for one another to be happy and, for us right now, that means pursuing a friendship,” Hayden said.

Former All Black Marc Ellis and his wife, jewellery designer Agustina Ellis, called it quits in February after nine years of marriage. The couple have two children together – six-year-old Sofia and four-year-old Tomas.

After almost four years together, Drew Barrymore and her art dealer husband, Will Kopelman, announced they were separating in April this year. “Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family. Divorce might make one feel like a failure, but eventually you start to find grace in the idea that life goes on,” their rep explained in a statement.

“Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s marriage seemingly hit the rocks this year when it was revealed the rocker had had an affair with hairstylist Michelle Pugh – but the couple have since seemingly reunited, with Sharon telling Good Morning Britain that they were back “on track”.

After a whirlwind courtship and engagement, Mariah Carey and her billionaire beau James Packer called it quits on their 16-month relationship in October. The diva has since been spotted getting cosy with dancer and choreographer Bryan Tanaka.

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber announced they were separating in September, after 11 years together. Since then, the pair have stayed friendly, posting cordial birthday messages to each other on social media and being spotted together with their children.

Taylor Swift certainly had a whirlwind 2016. After breaking up with beau Calvin Harris in June, the popstar hit headlines when she was spotted smooching actor Tom Hiddleston around two weeks after her split. The pair were photographed in Nashville, the UK and Italy and spent the 4th of July holiday together with Taylor’s star-studded squad at her Rhode Island mansion. By September, however, the high-profile couple had split.