By Jessica Wedemeyer
11:35am PST, Dec 21, 2021
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Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the celebs who found love, suffered heartbreak or experienced some other major event in their love lives in mid-December 2021, starting with this actress… On Dec. 11, the Mirror reported that, according to multiple sources, Amber Heard and Bianca Butti recently called it quits after distance took a toll on their relationship of about two years. "Amber is a very busy woman being a new mother and working flat out in the U.K. on her latest film, while Bianca is also tied up with various projects in the U.S.," said a source. "With not being in the same country for months at a time and dealing with a new baby, it leaves very little time for romance, and things look like they have fizzled out between them." Amber welcomed daughter Oonagh Paige in April.
Keep reading for more on Kanye's model, plus more celeb love life updates this week…
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It was a wild week for Kim Kardashian and estranged husband Kanye West. During a concert in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, the rapper dedicated his song "Runaway" to the reality star and implored her to take him back, singing, "I need you to run right back to me, baby … more specifically, Kimberly." The very next day, however, the mother of four filed for a bifurcation of marital status, which would make her legally single as she and Ye continue ironing out their divorce. According to TMZ, she also filed paperwork to have her maiden name restored. "Kim is making a statement by doubling down that she's single," said a Page Six source. "She thinks it's strange that Kanye keeps saying he wants her back, but all the while he's got [his new girlfriend, model Vinetria] at his Malibu house." In court documents published by Page Six on Dec. 14, Kim says of her divorce from Kanye, "Irreconcilable differences have existed and continue to exist between [us], which have caused our marriage to irretrievably break down. No counseling or reconciliation effort will be of any value at this time. … [We] both deserve the opportunity to build new lives." She "has no desire to reconcile with [Kanye] and wants their marriage terminated," the paperwork continues, noting that "the continued maintenance of technical marital status between" her and the chart-topper "serves no useful purpose." Kim goes on to claim that she and her legal team have been "attempting to settle this manner" since she first filed for divorce in February. They've "reached out" to Ye and his representatives "several times in an attempt to move this case forward to a speedy and amicable resolution," but Kanye "has been non-responsive," she alleges. Explained a People magazine source, "He's not giving up without a fight. Kim is the mother of his children and he's not going to just let that go. … Her recent filing or any filing for that matter doesn't mean he's going to stop fighting to win her back. … Kanye hasn't lost hope to be with Kim again. … His sole priority is making sure she's taken care of and treated like a queen, whether they're married or not. That will always be a priority and that will never change." Kim, meanwhile, has moved on from the marriage. "She knows it's difficult for Kanye to deal with. She isn't surprised that he pleads in public for her to run back to him. She is just trying to be respectful about it," said a second People source.
Keep reading for more on Kanye's model…
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As for Vinetria… E! News reported on Dec. 15 that, according to a source, she and Kanye West are still spending time together, though they're not "exclusively dating." Said the source, "Kanye is still hanging out and seeing model Vinetria, despite also trying to win Kim back. Kanye likes Vinetria's company and has continued to bring her around his friend group. She has stayed in his house several times in the last month and has been invited to social functions with him. … It's a great distraction for Kanye." The insider added that the rapper "will do anything" to win back estranged missus Kim Kardashian, though "deep down, he knows it's not going to happen."
RELATED: The weirdest celeb hookups of 2021
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TMZ reported on Dec. 15 that NeNe Leakes is dating businessman Nyonisela Sioh just three months after her husband, Gregg Leakes, died of cancer on Sept. 1. Nyonisela is from Liberia and owns a couture suit company in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's unclear how long they've been an item, though they reportedly met through Cynthia Bailey's ex-husband, Peter Thomas. On Dec. 17, NeNe confirmed the romance, telling The Shade Room, "We're dating! We're friends." She added, "I will love Gregg forever & ever! Grieving is hard! Even harder & depressing alone. Gregg and I had a very tearful conversation before his passing. His words to me were 'be happy, keep smiling and he who finds you, has found a good one.'" NeNe and Nyonisela stepped out together in Miami on Dec. 18…
Keep reading to see them holding hands…
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NeNe Leakes was photographed holding hands with new boyfriend Nyonisela Sioh as they left Mr. Chow restaurant in Miami Beach on Dec. 18.
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The lie is unraveling! Tristan Thompson previously claimed that he and Houston-based personal trainer Maralee Nichols only hooked up once. But in new court documents filed on Dec. 8 and published by DailyMail.com on Dec. 14, the professional basketball player admits that he and Maralee, who on Dec. 1 gave birth to a baby boy she claims Tristan fathered, "saw each other sporadically between December 2020 and March 13, 2021" — well into his rekindled romance with Khloe Kardashian. "[She] told me that she had been involved with other athletes and understood the limitations of our relationship … that we might see each other on a sporadic basis for consensual casual sex only," he claims. "From December 2020 through March 2021, we saw other on such a basis. We never had any telephone calls, emails, nor did we exchange text messages. We only communicated via the Snapchat application. … Our relationship was based on sex. We would not have seen each other in Houston if we were not going to have sex. We did not have any dates in the traditional sense at any time; there were no dining at restaurants, going to movies, traveling or any other indicia of a normalized relationship. There was only Snapchats of 'where' and 'what time' we would hook up and what hotels would be used. … [She] constantly used the term 'hook up' to describe our relationship which was the reality." He also claims that they only hooked up once in 2021: on his 30th birthday in March. Meanwhile, People magazine reported on Dec. 9 that, according to a source, "Tristan and Khloe have been broken up for a while, and things are OK between them." She's reportedly "moving on" from the drama surrounding his fidelity.
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During a Dec. 13 interview for "The Howard Stern Show," Ben Affleck attributed his issues with alcohol to his unhappy marriage with Jennifer Garner. "Part of why I started drinking was because I was trapped," he said. "I was like, 'I can't leave because of my kids, but I'm not happy, what do I do?' And what I did was [drink] a bottle of scotch and [fall] asleep on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution." He added that if he and Jennifer hadn't called it quits, they "probably would've ended up at each other's throats," and he "probably still would be drinking." Continued the A-list actor of their 2015 split, "Ultimately, we tried, we tried, we tried because we had kids, but both of us felt like we didn't want this to be the model that our kids see of marriage. … The truth was we took our time, we made the decision, we grew apart. … We had a marriage that didn't work. This happens. She's somebody I love and respect but to whom I shouldn't be married any longer. … We [broke up] amicably. We did our best. Did we have moments of tension? Did we have disagreements over custody? Was stuff difficult for us? Did we get angry? Yes, but fundamentally it was always underpinned with a respect."
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Page Six reported on Dec. 15 that, according to a source, Jennifer Lopez is "p*****" Ben Affleck publicly blamed his issues with alcohol on his marriage with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. "She is getting pulled into this because she is dating him. She doesn't want to be dragged into this," said the source. "She has met Jennifer Garner. She is trying to get to know her and Ben's kids. … It's reckless and cavalier of him." A second insider, however, insisted, "This is simply not true and the focus is on the children." According to J.Lo, she's not upset. The singer-actress made the unusual move of publicly denying the report, telling People magazine in a statement on Dec. 18, "This story is simply not true. It is not how I feel," adding, "I couldn't have more respect for Ben as a father, a co-parent, and a person."
RELATED: Celeb couples who broke up and got back together
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On Dec. 14, Deux Moi reported that, according to multiple anonymous sources, Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid — the male model kid brother of supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid — recently "split up." The celebrity gossip platform alleged that the couple of more than two years "have been known to break up/get back together/break up/get back together" and noted that "there is a chance they could currently be broken up." About 10 days earlier, The U.S. Sun reported that, according to a source, the pair have "floated the idea about putting the brakes on their romance … as traveling so much and being apart is proving tough." Added the alleged insider, "Their relationship is going through a crisis and appears to be on the rocks." Dua and Anwar haven't been seen together publicly in weeks.
RELATED: Celeb splits of 2021
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Is Dale Moss seeing someone new? According to Page Six, the former star of "The Bachelorette" attended a Dec. 13 screening of "The King's Man" with fashion and beauty blogger Thania Peck. "They walked in together and sat next to each other to watch the movie," said a spy, noting that the pair were "mixing and mingling" side-by-side during the afterparty. The duo were also seen together in October and back in July 2018 — two years before he got engaged to Clare Crawley on season 16 of "The Bachelorette" just two weeks into their relationship. The off-and-on couple called it quits for good in September.
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On Dec. 14 — after Madelyn Cline and Zack Bia were seen walking together in West Hollywood — multiple anonymous sources told Deux Moi that the "Outer Banks" actress and the DJ-influencer are dating. One spy allegedly "saw them making out in a car" in the Los Angeles area.
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On the Dec. 15 episode of her "Give Them Lala" podcast, Lala Kent revealed that her ex-fiancé, Randall Emmett, lied about the cost and quality of the ring he gave her when they got engaged in 2018. "There's not one piece of my five years with this person that has been truthful and honest. The only truth I feel that existed in my relationship was me and my daughter, Ocean. That is where the truth ended," she said, calling the situation "a hard pill to swallow" and "a punch in the gut." The "Vanderpump Rules" star dumped the film producer in October — seven months after she gave birth to their little girl — amid rumors he was unfaithful. The reality star also opened up about the breakup on PodcastOne's "Melissa Gorga on Display" podcast: "This whole experience has been traumatizing and it haunts me daily," she said, adding that she wonders how she "could feel so safe with someone" who was lying to her. "Him making me feel safe enough to bring this beautiful innocent life into the world is hard. It haunts me … daily," she said.
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On Dec. 13, Page Six reported that, according to a source, "My Unorthodox Life" star Julia Haart and her husband of a little more than two years, Silvio Scaglia Haart, are "living separate lives" and recently ended the romantic aspect of their relationship. A second source, however maintained that the La Perla bosses are "currently living together and love one another." In fact, Julia took to her Instagram Story on Dec. 15 to share video of herself and her hubby having dinner and wine together. In the clip, they affectionately refer to each other as "my love," indicating there's no trouble in paradise. Just last month, Julia's daughter from her first marriage, Batsheva Haart, revealed that she's divorcing her husband, Ben Weinstein.
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On Dec. 9 — after months of whispers about Cazzie David's relationship with Miller McCormick, the brother of late rapper Mac Miller — Page Six finally confirmed they're an item. "They've been together for a while now. It's been over a year of them dating, possibly closer to two," said a source, adding that the couple lives together in a home they bought in his native Pittsburgh in February. Cazzie reportedly connected with the McCormick clan after her ex, Pete Davidson, started dating Ariana Grande, who previously romanced Mac. After Mac died in 2018, Cazzie's relationship with his brother turned romantic. "Mac's family loves Cazzie. Really, it's no surprise she ended up with his brother. She's a beautiful beacon in what has been an intensely tough period of navigation," said another Page Six source.
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Blinked and you missed it! On Dec. 13, Soap Opera Digest reported that Chad Duell and Courtney Hope — who just tied the knot on Oct. 23 — have already gone their separate ways. It's unclear what went wrong between the duo, who've removed all traces of each other — including their wedding photos! — from their social media platforms. People magazine also confirmed the breakup news.
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On Dec. 10, People magazine broke the news that "Married at First Sight" season 13 couple Jose San Miguel Jr. and Rachel Gordillo split for good "a few weeks back." Said the duo in a joint statement, "After much thought, we have decided that we are better off going our separate ways. It's a decision we do not make lightly, but after some back and forth and trying to make this marriage work we know this decision best serves our future. The 'MAFS' journey taught us a lot about ourselves and what we both need in a partner. We are grateful to all those who stood by us throughout the last 8 plus months."
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Eminem's 28-year-old adopted daughter, Alaina Scott, took to Instagram on Dec. 13 to announce that she and her boyfriend of seven years, Matt Moeller, are engaged. "This moment. This life. Yes a hundred times over. I LOVE YOU," she captioned a slideshow of photos depicting the proposal, which went down on the rooftop of The Monarch Club in Detroit.
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On Dec. 8, "The Challenge: Double Agents" star Natalie Anderson took to Instagram to announce that she and her boyfriend of two years, Devin Perez, are engaged. "What happens in Vegas," she captioned a slideshow of photos from Sin City including a shot debuting her new engagement ring. The following week, she gushed of her new fiancé in a second Instagram post, "Devin, I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving you but like this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that my hand upon your chest is your hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."
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TMZ reported on Dec. 10 that Dr. Dre and his estranged wife, Nicole Young, have agreed to a settlement in their extremely contentious divorce, though they've yet to sign off on the paperwork to make it official. "This whole thing could blow up again," warned one source. That didn't stop Dre from celebrating, though: On Dec. 9, he posed alongside giant metallic balloons spelling out "DIVORCED AF." (See a photo here.) He and Nicole have been fighting over money for more than a year now.
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On Dec. 9, People magazine reported that Faith Evans is asking the court to deny Stevie J.'s request for spousal support in their divorce. The Grammy winner — who's not asking for spousal support herself — is also seeking to hold onto her assets from before and after the marriage. Newly revealed legal documents show that Faith claims she and Stevie split on May 29, 2020. Although their marriage has come to an end, the duo have said they plan on spending the holidays together as a family: "Everyone gets along," said a People source. "It's not a dysfunctional family. It's just Stevie's never been married — and he married Faith. … He loves her. He wouldn't marry her if he didn't. … [But they] never worked while they were married."
