I was shocked to hear the news: Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe have separated. After seven years of marriage, the couple released a statement to the media via their rep that reads:
“Reese and Ryan remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time.”
The famous couple has two children daughter Ava, 7, and son Deacon, 3. I feel especially bad for them. I am aware of the much talked about “seven-year-itch” in marriages, yet I am still stunned by the announcement. The couple seemed to have it all–a successful relationship, thriving careers and beautiful children.
The couple met almost a decade ago when a mutual friend brought Phillippe to Witherspoon’s 21st-birthday party. Two years later, after they had costarred in 1999’s “Cruel Intentions,” Phillippe proposed. The couple married in June 1999 when Witherspoon was six months pregnant with Ava. Four years later Deacon was born.
In 2002, Phillippe told New York’s Daily News that they were in couples therapy. “The biggest mistake,” he said, “is not doing that, ignoring it and having the marriage fall apart because of laziness.”
A few months later, Witherspoon told PEOPLE magazine: “I’m not interested in the fallacy of the Hollywood relationship: ‘We have perfect children who never cry; we never have problems; we never argue, we’re always best friends,'” she said. “That’s just not true. We’re normal people with normal problems.”
Earlier this year Witherspoon won an Oscar for her role in the 2005 hit “Walk the Line.” Phillippe remained at her side and the subject of Witherspoon’s acceptance speech. They hugged and kissed for the cameras and all seemed well. What a difference a few months can make.
Witherspoon is next expected to appear in the drama “Rendition, ” while; Phillippe is currently starring in the WWII drama “Flags of Our Fathers.” Somewhere in between all of that I hope they can work things out.