Closer to a 'pause in marriage' than divorce. Recently, celebrities' statements about breakups foreground respect · co-parenting · and the redefinition of relationships rather than catastrophe or severance. In an era when the tone of a sentence and word choice become the message, the language used to describe separation and marital breakdown itself is changing.
Dynamic Duo's Gaeko said on social media on the 16th, "After many conversations over a long period, we decided to conclude our relationship as a couple while respecting each other's lives." He made a clear distinction between the end of the relationship and the continuation of parental roles, saying, "Our joint parenting responsibilities as parents will continue until the end."
On the same day, influencer and entrepreneur Kim Sumi also said, "After sufficient conversation, we decided to end our marital relationship as a choice that respects each other's lives," adding, "Our responsibilities and roles as parents will continue together unchanged." The sentence asking for "a warm gaze rather than excessive interpretation" also reflected an attitude of guarding against outside noise surrounding the breakup.
This rhetorical style that emphasizes process and attitude over the legal outcome of 'divorce' has already become a culture in Hollywood.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow used the expression 'conscious uncoupling' when announcing her split from Coldplay's Chris Martin in 2014. It is the concept of consciously dissolving a union through dialogue and reconciliation. The term later popularized, and the concept explanation proposed by Katherine Woodward Thomas in 2009 expanded into an essay.
Paltrow said, "I am proud that we were able to make divorce easier and less painful," and has emphasized ways of remaining a family even after separation. She married Martin in 2003, separated in 2014, and divorced in 2016, but has maintained a form of a "nonromantic family" centered on their two children — daughter Apple and son Moses. She has also said that this experience made her relationship with her current husband, whom she married in 2018, stronger.
The case of model Gisele Bündchen and former NFL star Tom Brady, dubbed a 'divorce of the century,' also drew attention for the language of their statements. After 13 years of marriage, the two finalized their divorce in 2022 and each promised co-parenting on their social media.
Bündchen wrote at the time, "My priority has always been, and always will be, our children whom I truly love." She added, "We will continue co-parenting so they can receive the love, care and attention they deserve." Brady said, "We will always work together as parents to ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve."
The two also hinted that they chose a peaceful separation, promising to do their best as parents. However, some internet users focused on Bündchen's use of the phrase "my priority." Compared with Brady's sentence "we will always work together as parents," readers sensed a subtle difference in tone. Coupled with reports that Brady reneged on a promise to spend more time at home, Bündchen's sentence seemed to emphasize her choice to put family first.
The commonality is clear. The way a relationship ends speaks to that person's values. Words such as 'sorting out,' 'concluding,' and 'uncoupling' are chosen instead of 'divorce,' and co-parenting and mutual respect are placed at the forefront. A declaration that the end of love does not necessarily mean destruction. Celebrities' divorce statements now speak not of the end of marriage, but of the redesign of relationships.
[photo] Kim Sumi social media, ©Gettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
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