By Jessica Wedemeyer
1:27am PST, Nov 30, 2021
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 November 2021, starting with this TV sports journalist… In an essay for Today.com that debuted online on Nov. 21, "Today" show contributor Jill Martin revealed that she recently got engaged (again!) to her ex-fiancé, Erik Brooks. The duo first got engaged in 2019 but split in early 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic took a toll on their long-distance relationship. "Deciding to end our engagement last year was heart-wrenching. I used to say, 'It literally takes my breath away to picture my life without him.' But our relationship couldn't stay the way it was. We needed a pause. A long pause. And we took it," she writes, noting that they reconnected earlier this year when she called him out of the blue on a Thursday afternoon after not speaking for 18 months. She writes of their breakup, "Even though we were fighting and hurting each other to what I thought was an irreparable place, I never thought our relationship would break. But it did. … After almost three years of a near fairy tale, the lows became more overwhelming than the highs. It wasn't working. We were arguing more than we were getting along. Energetically, the timing wasn't right. We both still needed to grow. It took falling apart to build ourselves back together." It was only after more than a year of working on herself that she reached out to Erik. "We wanted to make sure this time would be different. Better. I love the way Erik loves me, but I also love how I feel about myself when I am with him. I am the best version of myself when we are together. I feel confident, smart and happy. We laugh all the time. While we still fight sometimes, we limit the drama. Misunderstandings that used to last for a weekend now last minutes," she writes. She concludes by detailing their "beautiful" but "different" second engagement, which went down on a beach in the Bahamas after they shared a ride on a small fishing boat. (Their first engagement was an extravagant affair.) "Erik simply said, 'I can't wait to spend the rest of forever with you.' And we were engaged. Again," she recalls, adding that it was only once she learned how to be confident on her own that she and Erik "were ready to get back together."
Now keep reading for more of the week's biggest celeb love life updates…
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For nearly a year now, there have been questions about the nature of Jason Sudeikis's relationship with model-actress Keeley Hazell. When they were first linked in February 2021, multiple media outlets reported that the "Ted Lasso" star was keeping things casual while processing his late-2020 split from long-term partner Olivia Wilde and her subsequent romance with Harry Styles. In late June, it seemed like Jason and Keeley — a British glamour model-turned-actress who's appeared on "Ted Lasso" and reportedly served as the inspiration for Juno Temple's on-screen alter ego on the hit Apple TV+ series — were finally ready to go public. But the following month, Page Six reported that, according to a source, the "Saturday Night Live" alum was "not seeing anyone" and was "definitely not with Keeley." Well, Jason was definitely with Keeley on Nov. 22 when photographers caught the funnyman making out with the bikini-clad beauty on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. (See photos here.) Over the summer — after she and Jason apparently pressed pause — Keeley seemingly reconciled with rumored ex David Walliams. She and the English comedian even made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of "Last Night in Soho" on Oct. 9.
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In late November, Priyanka Chopra sparked rumors that she and Nick Jonas had quietly called it quits when she suddenly removed "Jonas" from her name on Instagram. Also fueling the breakup talk? The duo hadn't been seen together in public for a couple of weeks — not since hosting a star-studded Diwali party at their new home in Los Angeles on Nov. 4. (At the time, the "Quantico" alum captioned a slideshow of photos from the bash, "To the best husband and partner @nickjonas, you are what dreams are made of. I love you. My heart is so grateful and full.") On Nov. 22, Priyanka returned to Instagram to put the rift rumors to rest. After Nick shared a video of himself lifting weights with his bulging biceps on full display, Priyanka wrote in the comments section, "Damn! I just died in your arms." She added three telling emojis: a simple red heart, the heart-eyes emoji and an overheated (sweating and thirsty) emoji. Clearly she's still lusting after her husband of nearly three years! The duo are gearing up to celebrate their third wedding anniversary on Dec. 1.
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That was fast! On Nov. 21 — just a little more than a month after Juliana Custodio announced that she and Michael Jessen had parted ways after two years of marriage — the "90 Day Fiancé" star took to Instagram to announce that she has a new boyfriend … and she's pregnant with his child. "So excited for our new adventure. Words aren't enough to tell you how wonderful you are, I'm forever grateful for the happiness and joy you have brought into my life, and for [making] one of my biggest dream come true. We can't wait to meet you. I am the luckiest woman to be able to call you mine @ben_obscura," she captioned a slideshow of photos with her new beau. Ben, meanwhile, captioned a photo with the reality star, "Baby on the way! A new adventure is about to begin! We are super excited and we can't wait to welcome our new addition into the family! Babyzinho we can't wait to meet you! We are now preparing for the most beautiful blessing we could ask for! The best is yet to come!"
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Katie Thurston is following in Peter Weber's footsteps! The former star of "The Bachelorette" is dating one of the men who previously competed for her heart: California-based bartender John Hersey, whom she eliminated during the second week of the competition on season 17 of "The Bachelorette" earlier this year. The pair have been seen together several times since her season debuted in the summer (they're pictured together at a Hollywood event in September), and while they initially kept things friendly, their relationship turned romantic following her October split from Blake Moynes, who proposed on the season finale. On Nov. 23, Katie's rep told Page Six that she and John are "excited to explore this newly found romantic connection." Added the rep, "It's known Katie and John became close friends post-season. John has been there for her through all the major changes in her life." Meanwhile, an E! News source shed some light on the timeline: "Katie and John were mutually in the friend zone for months," said the source. "A lot has changed in the last four weeks. And it's been wild but exciting for those closest to them to witness. … It's clear Katie has never been happier." Blake, on the other hand, was less than thrilled to see his ex move on so quickly. On the Nov. 24 episode of the "Talking It Out" podcast, he said that while he doesn't "think there was any physical cheating" on Katie's part, he believes there was "clearly emotional" cheating. Two days later, John took to Reddit to release a lengthy statement insisting that he and Katie "were ALWAYS platonic" during her engagement and that "there was no wrongdoing."
Stop us if you've heard this one before… Tori Spelling is offering up new evidence that she and her husband of 15 years are headed for a divorce. On Nov. 22, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum took to Instagram to show off her family's 2021 Christmas card. "Happy holidays with love, from our farm to your home! Xoxo, Tori & family," reads the card, which shows the actress and her five kids posing with several of their farm animals. While two goats, a pig and a chicken made it into the family photo, Dean was nowhere to be seen. When fans took to the comments section to question his absence, Tori insisted that he couldn't join them for the photo shoot because he was "filming his new feature film in Canada." (A rep for the long-term couple later told E! News that Dean was shooting the romantic comedy "My Fake Boyfriend" in Toronto.) But that doesn't explain what happened next: Tori also failed to mention her husband when she took to Instagram on Nov. 23 to share two photos of herself hanging her family's Christmas stockings. While she and the kids each had a stocking, Dean's was conspicuously missing. Also on Nov. 23, People magazine reported that, according to a source, Tori and Dean are "not in a good place and have been evaluating their relationship." Said the source, "It's been very chilly between them for a long time. They have been through the wringer before, but they've always gotten out of it. … Tori still has major trust issues [stemming from his 2013 affair]. Part of their relationship was never fully repaired after he was unfaithful. They've been living separate lives. They will still have family meals and occasional outings, but it's for the kids." According to a second People source, things between the pair have been "bad for a really long time, over a year for sure." Said the second source, "Tori doesn't want to break up the family. She thinks the kids need their dad. These are their fundamental years and they've fought to stay together for the kids. … Tori still has major trust issues with Dean. And he's like, 'We moved on from that.' It's complicated and a very toxic and rocky situation." A third source said that Dean's time away in Canada for work — and the pressure it put on Tori to handle their kids on her own — "really took a big toll on their relationship."
In her new memoir "God Bless This Mess," which debuted on Nov. 23, Hannah Brown opens up about how Tyler Cameron broke her heart when he started seeing Gigi Hadid just days after they reconnected following the conclusion of season 15 of "The Bachelorette" — on which the former beauty queen picked Jed Wyatt over him. "What's crazy is, I loved Gigi Hadid! I thought she was the coolest. I still do," Hannah writes, according to Page Six. "I get it. I would even go on a date with her. I wanna be her friend! But never did I expect to be in a love triangle with her." She was totally blindsided, she said, when she saw photos of Tyler and Gigi together: "Tyler met up with a supermodel after getting off the phone with me," she writes, adding that when she and the male model reconnected romantically in the summer of 2019, it "wasn't some meaningless hookup, the way it was portrayed in the press." Writes the reality star, "My heart was on the line. And he broke it. With a supermodel. Can you imagine? … It all caught me so off guard." She eventually confronted Tyler, who told her, "You got to date 30 guys, so I'm gonna date around and see if I still want to be with you." She reportedly replied, "You just told me you weren't seeing anybody else. And then you said you wanted to talk about it, but we never talked about it, and like an hour later you went out with her!" She even told him that she regretted contributing to his reputation "as this respectful king." Said Hannah at the time, "This feels like you're disrespecting me more than anybody has in my entire life! I'm going to be asked about you and Gigi now, constantly. Do you not understand that? I'm the one who has to answer for what you're doing." She was "so mad," she writes.
Say it ain't so! On Nov. 22, a rep for Tayshia Adams told People magazine that she and Zac Clark are "no longer a couple." The duo — who got engaged on the finale of season 16 of "The Bachelorette" in late 2020 — sparked split speculation after presenting a united front while running the New York City Marathon together on Nov. 7. The breakup rumors hit a fever pitch on Nov. 19 when Life & Style magazine reported that, according to a source, Tayshia and Zac were "on a break." Said the source, "They're definitely taking some time apart to figure things out. It doesn't look good." After the breakup news hit the Internet, a second Life & Style source said of the pair, "They were in love and they still care about each other, but they're going their separate ways. They really did have a good run." Other sources soon shed light on what went wrong…
Multiple media outlets reported on Nov. 22 that, at the end of the day, Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark were just too different to make it work long-term. "They both felt the pressure of navigating a public relationship, but in different ways. It really started to wear on them each as individuals. They started drifting apart in recent months and ultimately came to realize that they don't work as a couple," said a Page Six source. Added a second Page Six source, "As time went on, it became more evident that Tayshia and Zac weren't going to work out. They have very different plans for the future. It's sad but also a relief for both of them to finally accept that they aren't a good match. Her star is rising so fast and he isn't completely comfortable with the limelight." The second Page Six source went on to say that distance also played a role in the breakup: "When they would see each other, it started to become clear to both Tayshia and Zac that it wasn't meant to be. They really just grew apart, even more so over the last few months," said the insider, adding that "there is hope that they can remain friends." An Us Weekly source, meanwhile, said the relationship simply "ran its course" after Tayshia and Zac's busy schedules — and differing views on the limelight — created a rift between them: "They have been spending a lot of time apart. … She's been attending a lot of events without him, which can be frustrating," said the source, noting that in spite of their differences, there's still a lot of love between them and the breakup is "going to be a hard" on them both. Echoed a People magazine source, "Things have been strained through the fall. Both of their schedules have been really tough. Tayshia has been very busy and Zac also has a lot on his plate. Scheduling time together was just very difficult. … She's also way more comfortable in the spotlight because of her job and he's much less so. At the end of the day, they're very different people. They're both good people — she's amazing and he's a great guy and very passionate about his work. But they're a total mismatch." According to an E! News source, Tayshia and Zac "haven't been getting along the last couple of months" and "were arguing a lot." Ultimately, the recovery specialist "was pushing for the split more" than the longtime Bachelor Nation star, who "is definitely really upset but knows it's for the best right now." A second E! source put it more succinctly, saying simply that they "didn't see eye to eye on several important issues."
On Nov. 17, Kim Kardashian West and Pete Davidson were snapped holding hands in Palm Springs, where they celebrated his 28th birthday in matching SKIMS pajamas the day before. (See photos here.) The PDA confirmed recent rumors they're more than friends. On Nov. 18, E! News reported that, according to a source, the pair are officially dating and are "really happy" together. "Pete has told her he doesn't want to see anyone else," said the source. "She is telling some people they aren't super serious but she isn't seeing anyone else. … She's trying to not make a big deal about it but is super into him. … Kim is smitten over him and it's very exciting to her. … He makes her laugh the entire time they are together and she is completely enthralled by him." The insider added that the Los Angeles-based mother of four and the New York City-based "Saturday Night Live" star are "making the distance work and have plans to continue seeing each other." On Nov. 19, Page Six reported that, according to a source, "there's no formal title" for the duo yet. "They're dating and getting to know each other — still figuring it out," said the insider. "They're still getting to know each other and want as little pressure as possible." According to a second Page Six source, Kim is "acting like a teenager" with the funnyman. "She's constantly giggling. Pete has made her feel like the clock has moved 20 years back. She seems happy," said the source. Speaking of acting like a teenager… On Nov. 21, Pete sported a visible hickey on his neck while out for dinner with Kim in Santa Monica. (See a photo here.)
On Nov. 19, The U.S. Sun finally identified Bobby Flay's new girlfriend: He's dating writer Christina Perez, who currently works as the senior content and creative director at cannabis company Miss Grass. They made their first public appearance as a couple at the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5, though her identity was still under wraps at the time. It's unclear how long they've been an item. In early 2021, the celebrity chef described himself as "very single," but during an appearance on the Oct. 1 episode of the "Today" show, he casually let slip that he had "a new girlfriend."
During an interview with Page Six that debuted online on Nov. 22, Tracy Morgan denied reports that he introduced a mystery woman as a girlfriend while chatting with paparazzi in New York City on Nov. 6. "I didn't say that," he insisted. "I don't care what the media says, I didn't confirm anything. … I take pictures with females every day and they're next to me posing." Seems this mystery women really is a mystery!
People magazine reported on Nov. 23 that, according to a source, Lady Gaga and her boyfriend of nearly two years, Michael Polansky, "don't seem rushed about getting engaged" and "almost act like a married couple already." Said the source of the duo, "Michael is very sweet and supportive. He is hardworking as well, so he appreciates her focus. They are a great team. … When they are together, it's obvious that Gaga is crazy about him. She always giggles and touches him. They are very affectionate and have the best chemistry." The insider added that it's obvious "he means the world to her."
During an interview with Esquire that debuted online on Nov. 22, Sandra Bullock dished on her relationship with Keanu Reeves — and persistent rumors that they were once an item. They've long maintained that although they both had crushes on each other when they shot 1994's "Speed," they never dated because they didn't want to risk ruining their friendship. "But who knows?" said the Oscar-winning actress. "Keanu's a guy who, I feel like, is friends with every woman he's ever dated. I don't think there's anyone who has something horrible to say about him. So maybe we could have survived. I don't know. But we didn't have to survive anything. We just get to grow up together on parallel roads and tip our hats and meet for a dinner and try to work together. And the longer time goes on, the more in awe I am of the human being. Would I have been able to say that if he had dumped me and made me angry? Probably not." Just think what could've been!
Meanwhile, during an on-camera interview with Esquire that also debuted online on Nov. 22, Keanu Reeves shared his take on Winona Ryder's previous claims that they became husband and wife while shooting a wedding scene for the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola-directed horror film "Bram Stoker's Dracula." Said the actor, "We did a whole take of a marriage ceremony with real priests. Winona says we are [married]. Coppola says we are. So I guess we're married under the eyes of God." Back in 2018, the "Stranger Things" actress said that "a real Romanian priest" officiated a wedding ceremony between her and Keanu that Coppola filmed in its entirety. The filmmaker then chose which parts of the scene ultimately made it into the movie.
According to Us Weekly, "Home Improvement" alum Zachery Ty Bryan took to his private Instagram account on Nov. 17 to announce that he's engaged to a mystery woman. "You win some and you lose some," he captioned a photo of himself hugging his future missus — whose identity he's yet to reveal publicly — after popping the question. "I'm thankful for a win … finally!" he added. In late 2020, the former child star announced that he and his high school sweetheart — Carly Matros, with whom he shares four children — were going their separate ways after 14 years of marriage. Just two weeks later, he made headlines when he was arrested on domestic violence charges following an incident with a different woman. (The victim, who was identified as his girlfriend at the time, ultimately obtained a no-contact order to block him from communicating with her.)
On Nov. 21, "Floribama Shore" star Nilsa Prowant took to Instagram to announce that she and Gus Gazda tied the knot at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort in Florida on Nov. 19. "Mr & Mrs Gazda," she captioned a wedding photo. The duo got engaged in January and welcomed son Gray Allen in May.
On Nov. 22, Page Six published exclusive photos of Jack Brinkley-Cook out and about in New York City with model Gabby Westbrook-Patrick — whom he dated back in 2016 before his four-year romance with a different model, Nina Agdal, kicked off. The hangout fueled rumors that the entrepreneur — who's also the son of supermodel Christie Brinkley — has reconciled romantically with his ex after splitting from Nina earlier this year.
According to People magazine, which published exclusive wedding photos, actor Austin Aaron married his love of five years — Kristen McNamara, a senior tech recruiter for a customer relationship management startup — at Tre Posti in St. Helena, California, on Nov. 14. The groom's "13 Reasons Why" co-stars Devin Druid, Tyler Barnhardt, Timothy Granaderos and Justin Prentice were on hand during the nuptials. Aaron and Kristen, who got engaged in December 2020, met at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was a cheerleader and he played football. "She is my absolute best friend and soulmate," he gushed of his new missus. "We have honestly been married since the day we met, but I wanted to make it officially official."
On Nov. 15, "Same Love" singer Mary Lambert took to Instagram to reveal that she got engaged to her partner of three and a half years, Dr. Wyatt Hermansen, as they performed together in Fayetteville, Arkansas, earlier that evening. "I've dreamt of this moment my whole life. We're gonna get married in front of God and everybody!!!!! I love you, Wyatt Paige Hermansen!!!" the bride-to-be captioned a slideshow of photos depicting the proposal and showing off her new engagement ring.
