Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the stars who found love, suffered heartbreak or experienced some other major event in their love lives in late August and early September 2018, starting with one of our favorite low-key couples… Things are getting serious between Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson, who've been dating for nearly a year. They now have matching infinity sign tattoos. On Aug. 30, the Coldplay frontman showed off the ink on his forearm at a party for the menswear brand Outerknown in Los Angeles. Two days later, the actress debuted the body art near her elbow while waving to photographers at a photo call for "Suspiria" during the 75th Venice International Film Festival in Italy. Now keep reading for more of the week's biggest celeb love life updates…
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Kourtney Kardashian and Younes Bendjima, who called it quits earlier this summer after nearly two years of off-and-on dating, sparked reconciliation rumors when they were spotted outside a sushi restaurant in Malibu on Sept. 3. In a photo obtained by TMZ, the duo are seen chatting in the reality star's Range Rover, in which they eventually drove away with the male model behind the wheel. The plot thickened on Sept. 5 when TMZ reported that the meet-up was actually staged by Younes, who allegedly tipped off the paparazzi "to squeeze out the last drops of his 15 minutes" of fame because he "knew his relationship with Kourtney was over" and wanted "the last bit of publicity." Kourtney later denied it, tweeting that the report was "FAKE NEWS," but according to TMZ, Kourtney's sisters Kim Kardashian West and Khloe Kardashian believe Younes staged the photo op: He's the one who suggested they meet at the sushi spot, which they'd never visited before — making it an awfully big coincidence that a photographer happened to be on the scene. TMZ reports that the Kardashians suspect Younes tipped off the paparazzi frequently over the course of his relationship with Kourtney: "They would show up at random places where the two were hanging out, and there's no way they would have known in advance," writes the webloid, adding that the sushi meeting was "all about closure" and that the former couple are definitely not reconciling.
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Four months after Geena Davis' husband of 17 years, Dr. Reza Jarrahy, filed to end their marriage, the actress has asked a judge to dismiss her ex's divorce petition on the grounds that, according to her, they were never legally married. TMZ reported on Sept. 5 that the "Thelma & Louise" star claims that when she and Reza tied the knot in New York in 2001, they mutually agreed not to file a marriage license — with the understanding that the marriage wouldn't be legally binding under New York law. (Therefore, they have no joint property to split and Reza is not eligible for spousal support.) She also claims that throughout their relationship, they kept separate bank accounts, credit cards and property and filed tax returns either as "single" or "head of household." In legal docs, Geena points to Reza's 2012 application for a home loan in which he states, "I filed my 2009 tax returns as a single individual because I am not currently married. Miss Davis and I cohabitate and co-parent our 3 children but are not officially wed." According to TMZ, in spite of evidence to the contrary, the plastic surgeon believes the marriage was valid. A source close to the doctor told the webloid that he's especially upset with Geena's claims that they were never legally married because it implies that their three children are "illegitimate." The actress' lawyer fired back at TMZ over the illegitimacy claim, saying she takes "issue with the source connected to Dr. Jarrahy calling their kids 'illegitimate'" because "it's an arcane term that has no place in modern society."
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Kendall Jenner's relationship with Ben Simmons is "fizzling and dissipating due to scheduling conflicts," a source told Us Weekly as part of an Aug. 30 report. "Kendall is so busy and has so much going on and doesn't want to wait around for anyone. She knows there's always a hot new fling waiting around the corner for her." According to the insider, the duo, who were first linked in May, "are still talking a little bit, but she's definitely not set on him." According to another source, the pair were "dating and exclusive, though not 'official.'" Meanwhile, E! News reported that Kendall and Ben are still "texting" but that their relationship has "cooled off" and the model "has been spending time with other people." According to a source, "She always wanted to keep her options open. She likes Ben but she knew it was more of a summer fling. They both have busy careers and it is what it is. Kendall isn't looking for anything serious. She had fun with Ben, but wasn't ever fully committed or looking for a long-term, exclusive relationship."
Though he's currently spending the bulk of his time in a Malibu treatment center, Ben Affleck is still seeing Shauna Sexton, to whom he was first linked in mid-August. On Sept. 5, the Playboy model's car was seen outside the actor's home, which he reportedly visits every day for a sober-coach-supervised workout at his personal gym. "He had stayed in touch with Shauna the entire time he was in rehab and the people at the facility and friends had huge concerns about it because she isn't sober," a source told "Entertainment Tonight." "She is a huge red-flag to everyone that is trying to support Ben with his process. Shauna is giving him false confidence and that is their biggest concern." (The insider added that Ben's estranged wife, Jennifer Garner, "knows he is back at the house with Shauna and she is so painfully frustrated" but "knows he has to do this for himself.") The 22-year-old vet tech recently defended herself on Instagram after a follower accused her of playing a role in Ben's return to rehab. Shauna wrote that she "never drank around or with him," though she acknowledged that she loves to "drink and party." Wrote the model, "I have limitless respect [for] people who have the humility and maturity to admit when they need to fix something in their life. … With that being said, Ben is a grown a– man, baby. He makes his own decisions. Blaming a 22 year old for someone's 3rd time in rehab is just ridiculous."
In early September, Kim Kardashian West took to The Shade Room's Instagram account to shoot down rumors that she and Drake have a romantic history. "Never happened. End of story," she commented on a video of DJ Akademiks and Nick Cannon speculating during an interview with Complex that her past with the "In My Feelings" rapper is the source of his recent beef with her husband, Kanye West. Rumors that Kim and Drake once dated gained traction over the weekend when fans started drawing comparisons between the reality star, whose family nickname is KiKi, and women mentioned in the rapper's lyrics. On Sept. 3, TMZ reported that according to sources close to Kim, she never slept with Drake. The duo reportedly "have some mutual friends and are cordial when they have run into each other at events in the past, but they've never had a personal friendship or relationship."
Danielle Staub's estranged husband of just a few months, Marty Caffrey, served her with divorce papers on Sept. 4. "She is doing well, strong and ready to move forward with her life," a source told Page Six of the reality star, who now has 35 days to respond to the filing. The duo have been feuding since late July.
After more than eight years of ups and downs in their dramatic relationship, reality TV star Michael Lohan — who's Lindsay Lohan's dad — and wife Kate Major, a former entertainment reporter, are splitting for good. Kate filed for divorce on Sept. 5, The Blast reported, and is asking for primary custody of their sons, Landon and Logan, plus spousal and child support.
Whitney Cummings is engaged! The comedian-writer-producer announced her happy news on Instagram on Sept. 4, which was her 36th birthday. "Today I got engaged. I handled it great! This just goes to show that if you work on yourself, trust your gut, and keep your ego in check you too can find love on a dating app," she captioned a funny video of herself reacting to the proposal from boyfriend Miles Skinner as her rescue horse, King, looks on.
On the Sept. 4 episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres" show, Nicki Minaj opened up about her romantic history, telling the hostess that she never said she was "with" rumored ex-boyfriend Nas. "I hung out with him. And he and I are still good friends," said the rapper. As for Drake and Meek Mill, "I was in a relationship with Meek for a while, which ended, and it was a very toxic something," said Nicki. "But we had some good times and we ended that. And then Drake? I've never been in a relationship with Drake." Ellen then asked about rumors that the rapper has a new boyfriend. "I have my people," said Nicki. "There is a new boy, but he and I have kind of fell back a little bit. … And then there's like a newer [guy]." The "Anaconda" rapper said that her latest man is "fairly new" and has "been around for a couple weeks now." She then clarified, "But I don't have a boy. … Look, I'm just chilling. I've always been in a relationship my whole life. I was in a relationship since I was 15 years old. This is the first time that I'm single, and I'm happier. I'm more free — and it's OK. I used to feel like I had to have a man, I swear. My whole adult life I felt like I had to have a man. … I want the women out here to know you absolutely don't."
Jessica Serfaty stood by Ed Westwick as he faced sexual misconduct allegations (of which he's since been cleared), but now they're going their separate ways. The Sun reported on Sept. 3 that the model-actress has moved out of the home they shared in Los Angeles. "Ed did not dump Jess, I think they still love each other — they're just taking time apart to work on themselves and their careers," said a source. "They had a flat together and remodeled and furnished it, but she is now living in her own apartment elsewhere. They still talk, but Jess has booked a film and has been spending a lot of time away shooting recently." In July, The Sun reported that the "Gossip Girl" actor, who debuted his relationship with Jessica in May 2017, was spotted on Raya, an exclusive dating app for the rich and famous.
Lara Spencer married tech entrepreneur Rick McVey in Vail, Colorado, on Sept. 1. According to People magazine, 135 guests attended the outdoor ceremony, during which the "Good Morning America" co-host's teenage son from her first marriage, Duff, walked her down the aisle to the tune of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years." The bride donned a sheer lace mermaid-style gown by designer Adam Zohar.
It took nearly four years, but Slash and Perla Ferrar finally settled their divorce in a Los Angeles courtroom on Sept. 4. According to TMZ, the Guns N' Roses rocker will pay his ex a $6.6 million lump settlement, plus $100K a month in spousal support and $39K a month in child support. He'll reportedly keep his guitars and any musical compositions he owns, with future proceeds going to him only. He'll also walk away from the marriage with a 2011 Ford F-150 and a home in Beverly Hills. Perla will get a 2014 Range Rover, two Mercedes and a home in Los Angeles. She's also getting primary physical custody of their two sons, who will get .09 percent of their dad's income for the next 20 years. In another win for Perla, Slash has been ordered to hand over his Internet provider records, which his ex-wife believes will prove his current girlfriend has been harassing her online.
Jeff Garlin filed to divorce his wife of 24 years, Marla, on Sept. 4. According to The Blast, the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and listed their date of separation as July 25, 2017 — the day after their 23rd wedding anniversary. The actor is reportedly willing to pay his ex spousal support but has asked that she pay her own attorney fees. They have two adult sons.
Food Network star Katie Lee married TV producer Ryan Biegel at the Lo Scoglio da Tommaso hotel in Italy on Sept. 1. The duo got engaged in March.
"Mr. Robot" star Carly Chaikin took to Instagram on Sept. 3 to announce that she and TV director-producer Ryan Bunnell are engaged. She shared a video of herself dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" while flashing a sparkler on her ring finger. The next day, she shared a photo of herself showing off her engagement bling while sitting beside her new fiancé at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the ocean. "If he had asked me one week in I would've said yes. But I've gotten to be with this man for almost 5 years and can't wait for it to be forever," she wrote in the caption.
On Sept. 1, Lala Kent and Randall Emmett got engaged while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for the "Vanderpump Rules" star's 28th birthday. "Last night was the best night of my entire life. I got engaged to the man of my dreams. I get to call this amazing human my fiancé! An engagement last night, my birthday today, and every sign my dad could possibly send me to let me know he's here. I'm the happiest girl in the world," the reality star captioned an Instagram slideshow of photos depicting the proposal — which took place on the beach as fireworks went off overhead and was not filmed for her Bravo show — and showing off her engagement ring, which Randall co-designed with jeweler Richie Rich. Back in June, the bride-to-be said that before her dad passed away in April, her beau got his permission to ask for her hand in marriage.
Jennifer Aniston "isn't concerned about dating" and "is happy to focus on work," a source told People magazine as part of a Sept. 4 report. As for her relationship with her ex, Justin Theroux, "She doesn't even talk about him anymore," said the insider. "She doesn't keep up with what he does. She is focusing on her own life."
Victoria Beckham opened up about her relationship with David Beckham during an interview for the cover of the October 2018 issue of British Vogue, which hit the Internet on Sept. 3. "People have been making things up about our relationship for 20 years," said the designer, adding that she and the soccer star have learned to ignore "the nonsense" said about their marriage, which she says has "a wider effect on the people around us." Continued the former Spice Girl, "We both realize that we are stronger together than we are as individuals. … Would either of us be in the position that we are in now had we not met and been together all those years ago?" Posh also said of herself, David and their four kids, "It's all about the family unit. We are much stronger, the six of us, than we would be if we were individuals. We respect that family bond and that is key."
Jermaine Jackson reportedly told Dutch publication De Telegraaf that he and his 23-year-old girlfriend, Maday Velazquez, who's 40 years his junior, "are going to get married soon."
After just a month of coupledom, Noah Cyrus and Lil Xan (real name Diego Leanos) have called it quits. On Sept. 3, the rapper took to his Instagram Story to claim that he felt like he was "probably being cheated on." That prompted the singer to say on her own Instagram Story that she "noticed a hickey" on Xan's neck during a recent FaceTime call. "He told me it was just a bruise," she wrote, adding that she "decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and ignored it." Continued Noah, "Cheaters like to accuse their partners of cheating to make themselves feel less guilt. this isn't the first time this has happened to me and now im being forced to deal with crazy accusations when im not even sure where all this came from." She also publicly wrote to Xan, "When you felt alone and like no one was there for you, I was. if this was your way of breaking up with me and breaking my heart along with it, then you've succeeded." The "Betrayed" rapper then shared a photo of Noah hugging another man, along with the caption, "Call me whatever but if you my girl you ain't touching no dude like that sorry haha." Xan continued to point the finger at Noah in an Instagram video, saying, "It just hurts, like, so f—— bad. You think you know somebody, and then you just get used." Later that day, Noah confirmed the breakup on her Instagram Story, writing, "First and foremost: this relationship was not set up by Columbia Records. to say that is [a] joke. it started when I got a DM from Diego and he asked me to hang out. the truth is I haven't seen him in almost a week. every time we tried to hang out something always got in the way."
On Sept. 4, Khloe Kardashian acknowledged beau Tristan Thompson's cheating scandal in the comments section of the official Instagram account for Perez Hilton's website. After the blog posted a photo of the couple with a caption stating that they're "talking marriage," the new mom commented that the engagement rumors are "crap." A fan then commented, "So she's acting like Tristan didn't cheat? Like it was made up by blogs?" Khloe wrote back, "I'm not acting as if Tristan didn't cheat. I'm saying the story about marriage and anyone insinuating they know what we speak about privately is 'crap.'"
Olivia Culpo made her rekindled romance with boyfriend Danny Amendola Instagram official on Sept. 3. The former beauty queen took to her Instagram Story to share a shot of herself and the Miami Dolphins wide receiver kissing in a car, adding the word "sugar" above their heads. She then posted a second car selfie with her beau with the words "cute hair" scrawled above her messy 'do. "When bae puts it in sport w the windows down," she wrote below the pic. Olivia said in March that she and the football player had parted ways after more than two years of coupledom but by June, they were back on.
Not everyone was wild about Neil Patrick Harris' Tony-winning stint as the title character in the Broadway production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." During an Aug. 29 joint appearance on SiriusXM's "In-Depth with Larry Flick," Neil's husband, David Burtka, revealed that he wasn't especially attracted to the theater star during his turn as Hedwig, calling it "a difficult time." Explained David, "I like manly guys. … He had shaved his body. He had lost all this weight. He had become sort of asexual as this character. … He'd take his shirt off — I could see the bones in his back. … There was no smell on him. His body was shaved — there was no hair on him. So he became this sort of androgynous being that I didn't sign up to marry." Continued the actor-chef, "It was very strange … not who I married." Added David, "Also, being Hedwig is a tragic place to live."
On Sept. 6 — two days after her 37th birthday — Beyonce confirmed reports that she and husband JAY-Z had renewed their wedding vows. "At 36, I became a new mother of three. I breastfed my twins. I renewed my vows with my husband of 10 years," she wrote on her website. "I came back home to the stage to do Coachella, after pregnancy. Then my husband and I released our album together, 'Everything Is Love.' And we've been touring with our family around the world, and loving it. This year has been monumental for me."
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds "have such a solid relationship," a source told Us Weekly as part of an Aug. 30 report. "They truly couldn't be happier and more in love." Continued the insider, "Their kids are the most important thing in their lives. … They do everything they can to make sure they have a normal upbringing. … When they're not working, they really spend as much time as they can home and away from all the craziness."