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Turns out not all splits have to be messy
I friend you
I friend you, too
There is no universal rule book for handling break-ups. Everyone knows that heartache is inevitable, closure can be a double-edged sword, and even the idea of moving on with someone new is stomach-lurching.
But at least civilian splits can be kept on a need-to-know basis.
For celebrities, relationships don’t just end in tears and packed bags, but with a true-to-form Instagram statement informing their fan base of the sad news. But when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin announced their separation ten years ago, they broke the mould by telling the world they were going to “consciously uncouple”, setting the precedent for amicable splits everywhere.
Not only are the exes – who were married for 13 years, and share Apple, 19, and Moses, 17 – still pally, but Gwyneth has struck up an unconventionally close bond with Chris’ reported fiancée Dakota Johnson.
The women have shown off their friendship on multiple occasions, and Gwyneth has happily admitted she “adores” Dakota. So, while there’s a tendency to engross ourselves in the thorny splits such as Brangelina’s, it’s important to remind ourselves of the couples who are hardcore proof that conscious uncoupling is alive and thriving. It might even mean that Gwyneth gets a maid of honour call-up…
Office romance
The Office US stars Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak went from co-stars, to romantic partners, to besties. Mindy has called their relationship “romantically charged” but doesn’t think they’ll date again, while BJ is the godfather of Mindy’s daughter.
Fan-fare
Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield split in 2015 after four years, but they are still platonic buddies and each other’s cheerleaders. When Emma scooped Best Actress for La La Land at the Oscars in 2017, Andrew went viral for tearing up after calling himself her “biggest fan as an artist”.
Platonic throuple
I’m a real brother lover
Miranda Kerr, her ex Orlando Bloom, and his wife Katy Perry are on such good terms that they all holiday and celebrate milestones together as a blended family. Miranda refers to Orlando as her “annoying brother” and has publicly praised Katy and their “genuine friendship”.
A tale of two Jens
Ben Affleck moved on from one Jen (Lopez) to another (Garner) and then back to J-Lo again. As he and Jen G have co-parented their three children, they have managed to keep things nice and civil, although not much of a bond has forged between the Jennifers.
Zen-An
I’m Just-out of here
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux made a “mutual and loving” decision to
