Splits
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
We're calling it: this was the most high profile split of the year. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian ended their seven-year marriage early this year. Citing ‘irreconcilable differences’, they agreed in court to share custody of their four kids: North, Chicago, Saint and Psalm. Since the split, Kim Kardashian has been rumoured to be dating Pete Davidson, in our most unlikely coupling of 2021.
Hugh Sheridan and Kurt Roberts
Hugh and Kurt were an outright power couple, even posing together on the cover of DNA Magazine together to celebrate pride. Unfortunately, Hugh announced they’d split in a raw Instagram post, explaining that “in the darkness [he] found light in Kurt”. We’ll still be mourning this one for a while!
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik
Gigi and Zayn have had it on-and-off for sometime now, most recently rekindling two years ago and welcoming a daughter, Khai, in 2020. Things took a turn in October this year, with TMZ reporting that sources had said Yolanda Hadid, Gigi’s mother, had claimed “Zayn struck her at some point last week and she’s seriously considering filing a police report.”
Zayn responded with a comment to the publication, saying: “I adamantly deny striking Yolanda Hadid and for the sake of my daughter I decline to give any further details and I hope that Yolanda will reconsider her false allegations and move towards healing these family issues in private.”
Seb Guilhaus and Lizzie Sobinoff
From high-profile to a lot more local, These MAFS-hardy cuties seemed like they were in it for the long run, dating for a year after their season was filmed. However, they announced their split in January, a popular month for breaking up. They seem to have remained close friends, though.
Belinda Vickers and Patrick Dwyer
Another MAFS-born pair, the wholesome Bel and Pat had the whole of Australia hooked on their romance. However, it wasn’t meant to be, and they split in July this year, a few months after the show finished airing.
Zac Efron and Vanessa Valladares
Our honorary Aussie, Zac Efron, became even more beloved when he struck up a romance with Byron Bay local, Vanessa Valladares. As we all dreamed of at 14, Zac met Vanessa when he walked into a café she was working at. We were obsessed with this rom-com level love story, but it wasn’t meant to be, with Kyle Sandilands (apparently a close friend of Zac’s?) confirming their split in April.
Jacob Busch and Rebel Wilson
Rebel and her long-term boyfriend, Jacob Busch, also called it quits in 2021. She announced it in February via Instagram, adding the hashtag #singlegirlheadedtothesuperbowl to a selfie she posted. Jacob and Rebel were a pretty private couple to begin with, but we were still pretty sad to watch them separate.
Hits
Adam Demos and Sarah Shahi
Fans of Netflix’s Sex/Life were stoked to learn that our hot Aussie acting export, Adam Demos, was dating his hot co-star, Sarah Shahi. While we’re pretty sure they fell in love on set during 2020, they didn’t become Instagram official until this year. Adam was the first to confirm it, posting pictures of them picking apples in January for Sarah’s birthday. “Happy bday my baby. I f*#kin love you. You’re everything,” he wrote.
Bennifer 2.0
Reunited and it feels so good! It’s been 17 years since Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s 2004 breakup, and this year, they rekindled. It started with a comment from Ben about how great Jen was during the wake of her split from Alex Rodriguez. Next minute, they were being spotted by paps holding hands and smooching in random corners. While the pair are choosing to keep things quiet for the time being, Ben recently commented that: “I can say that it’s definitely beautiful to me.”
Brittany Hockley and Jordan Thompson
Fans of Bachelor alum Brittany Hockley were stoked to find out that the 34-year-old had finally found love. She announced her relationship with tennis player Jordan Thompson in February this year, and the pair have gone from strength to strength ever since. Britt even spent a few months travelling with him this year as he travelled for the game. They’re currently doing long-distance as he continues to compete.
Jimmy Nicholson and Holly Kingston
Our Bachelor winners from 2021 seem to be having a grand old time, and have just moved in together in Sydney’s beachy suburb of Bondi. We love a strong winning couple, and we’re certain this pair will be around for a while!
Brooke Blurton
Speaking of The Bachelor world, the proximity of The Bachelorette finale to the end of the year has made Brooke and Darv our favourite reality TV couple for 2021. They announced their romance to the world just last week, as Brooke’s iconic series came to an end. Since then, they’ve confirmed they’re very much in love and that Darvid will be moving to Melbourne to be with Brooke.
Abbie Chatfield and Konrad Bien-Stephens
Again, speaking of which, we have another Bachie-born pair on the list. Abbie Chatfield, who is best known for her stint on Matt Agnew’s 2019 season of the show, has now coupled up with Brooke’s fourth-place, Konrad Bien-Stephens. Their coupling hasn’t been without it’s controversy, but the pair seem pretty happy together.
Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson
Moving along with the reality TV couples, these two made heads roll with their Married at First Sight story. After being villainised on the show, they came out with a number of doubters and haters but have since own their love growing from strength to strength. They announced their engagement in July this year, along with the news that they were expecting twins. Bryce and Melissa gave birth to their twins 10 weeks early, announcing the arrival of Levi Ruthven and Tate Ruthven in October this year.
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