Breaking up is hard to do. But breaking up and staying friends? Surely that would be even more difficult.
As impossible as it may seem some romantic relationships can smoothly transition to a platonic friendship.
In fact, ever since Gwyneth Paltrow introduced us to the concept of “conscious uncoupling” when she and husband, Chris Martin split in 2014, it seems there’s almost a growing trend in the celeb world to at least attempt to remain on friendly terms with the ex.
Emma ‘Wiggle’ Watson recently spoke about the end of her marriage to Purple Wiggle, Lachlan Gillespie and revealed how the two manage to maintain their friendship.
“We are the best of friends. It’s not a normal situation where we break up and then don’t see each other. We actually work together every single day so it’s nice to work with your best friend. I think that’s what we realised, that we were best friends all along.”
“We got married and we’re separated but my life wouldn’t be my life without him as part of it. I honestly am so grateful. We’ve had our ups and downs but we’ve come out of it on the back end really appreciating each other, like more than we did before. We’ve grown up, and now it’s just a different time.”
Emma is also said to be supportive of Lachy’s rumoured new romance with ballet dancer, Dana Stephensen who he met while filming a segment for The Wiggles.
In a statement to the Daily Telegraph, a source said:
“All The Wiggles members, including Emma, are really happy for Lachy. He and Emma remain good friends and both wish the best for one another.”
Isn’t it nice when everyone can just get along?
What other celebs are still friendly with their ex?
Emma Watkins and Lachlan Gillespie
Emma Watkins and Lachlan Gillespie
After meeting on the set of The Wiggles, Emma and Lachy dated secretly for two years before announcing they were a couple. The pair married in 2016 before announcing their split in 2018.
Emma calls Lachy her “best friend” and is said to be happy he’s found happiness with rumoured new girlfriend, ballet dancer, Dana Stephensen.
Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas
Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas
Joe Jonas and Taylor swift dated in 2008 but his support for his ex at the recent MTV VMAs proved there was no longer any bad blood between the pair.
Joe and his wife, Game of Thrones star, Sophie Turner were spotted standing and clapping for Taylor when she won an award.
Taylor and Joe’s split was messy at first, with Taylor revealing Joe broke it off “over the phone in 25 seconds”.
Earlier this year, Taylor admitted she regretted publicising their relationship drama.
“That was too much. I was 18. Yeah. We laugh about it now… but that was mouthy. Just some teenage stuff there.”
Thankfully everyone has now moved on with Joe tying the knot earlier this year and with Taylor seeing boyfriend, Joe Alwyn since May 2017.
Jackie O and Lee Henderson
Jackie O and Lee Henderson
Australia was shocked when radio host, Jackie O announced her split from husband, Lee Henderson in October 2018.
“After 18 years together, we have made the decision to separate. We do so amicably, sharing many incredible memories and remaining best friends. Our focus for this next chapter is of course our wonderful daughter and continuing to provide her love and happiness, together.”
Almost a year on from the split and Jackie O and Lee have remained friends with the two of them even holidaying together as a family with eight-year-old daughter, Kitty.
James Stewart and Jessica Marais
James Stewart and Jessica Marais
Their Packed to the Rafters onscreen romanced spilled into real life in 2009 and Jessica and James dated for four years before calling off their engagement in 2015 with James saying, “Our relationship didn’t work out because I think hearts go in different directions eventually.”
The two actors have remained amicable and together co-parent their seven-year-old daughter, Scout.
James is now married to his Home and Away co-star, Sarah Roberts.
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake
Remember when these two were a couple? Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz dated on and off for four years, from 2003 to 2007.
When the pair broke up they said in a statement: “We have, in fact, ended our romantic relationship, and have done so mutually and as friends, with continued love and respect for one another.”
In 2011, the duo proved they really were still mates when they signed up to star together in Bad Teacher.
“Justin and I have always had a good laugh together, and there really was no one else who was more perfect for this part. It really wasn’t a big deal, we had a great time and did the job, and we do what all actors do afterward: We all go our separate ways,” revealed Cameron at the time.
And go their separate ways they did with Justin marrying Jessica Biel in 2012 and Cameron tying the knot with Benji Madden in 2015.
Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Before Miranda wed Snapchat co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel she was married to Orlando Bloom for three years.
The couple share a son together, eight-year-old Flynn. After they split in 2013, Orlando moved on with singer, Katy Perry. The two are now engaged.
Miranda revealed recently that she feels “blessed” with how her relationship with Orlando worked out.
“We really do get along so well. We all have Flynn’s best interests at heart, in the interests of our family as a whole. And we just worked together to work it out … I’m very happy. It may not have worked out that way, but I’m really happy and feel very blessed that it has.”
Lindy and Michael Klim
Lindy and Michael Klim
Former Olympian Michael Klim and his wife of ten years, Lindy Klim had thee children together before announcing their split in 2016.
The breakup was a messy one but thankfully the two are now on good terms.
Lindy recently shared a pic to Instagram with the caption:
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined we’d be here now… it’s taken us a while, but I am so grateful for our #modernfamily and that my children have these two amazing men as role models in their life. 💕 @adamjossellis @michaelklim1,” she wrote, tagging both the men in her life.
Lindy is now married to British property developer Adam Ellis and the two have a one-year-old daughter together.
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick
After a 10 year tumultuous relationship, Kourtney Kardashian finally called it quits with Scott Disick in 2015.
The couple share three children, sons Mason and Reign and daughter Penelope. They’ve been through their ups and downs but Kourtney and Scott successfully co-parent their kids and often spend family holidays together.
Kourtney recently posted to her Instagram: “I’m so proud of the place we’re at as parents to our children now and all the work we’ve put into getting here.”
Scott Disick has been dating, Sofia Richie since 2017, while Kourtney has had a couple of short-term boyfriends.
Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki
Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki
Another example of a couple who continued to work together after their break up is Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki. The Big Bang Theory stars dated secretly for almost two years before splitting in 2010.
The two moved onto new relationships but continued to star opposite each other – eventually as husband and wife – on the hit sitcom.
“It was a mutual breakup, and you can rarely say that. Johnny and I were friends first, then obviously we dated,” Kaley explains.
“When we broke up, it was funny because that was when our relationship on the show was hot and heavy. There were a lot of bed scenes. We were a little like, ‘We were trying to end the relationship and it kept falling back in.’ We got over it really fast, and we’re closer than ever now. It could have gone either way, and I was really proud of us.”
Kaley is now married to equestrian, Karl Cook, while Johnny is expecting his first child – a baby boy – with girlfriend, Alaina Meyer.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and the Coldplay frontman are famous for calling their divorce a “conscious uncoupling” but since their split in 2014, the parents of Apple, 15 and Moses, 13 remain close.
Gwyneth has said her friendship with Chris is “the relationship we were meant to have.”
“We’re still very much a family, even though we don’t have a romantic relationship. He’s like my brother,” she explains.
Gwyneth is now married to Brad Falchuk and Chris is dating actress, Dakota Johnson.
