By Jessica Wedemeyer
12:01pm PST, Dec 27, 2021
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Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the celebrities who found love, suffered heartbreak or experienced some other major event in their love lives in late December 2021, starting with this news… On Dec. 19, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Dolores Catania took to her Instagram Story to debut her new boyfriend: Paul Connell. "My favorite lifeguard," she scrawled across a photo of herself and her beau at the beach. It was the first official confirmation that her long-term relationship with David Principe had finally come to an end. "Dolores and David broke up this past summer. There was no bad blood between them," said an Us Weekly source, adding that the pair "grew apart" once it became clear that their relationship wasn't headed toward a deeper commitment — though she "didn't care if they were going to get engaged." Explained the source, "She gave her all but didn't get the same from David. He was non-existent in her social life and rarely made appearances at events with her. They just had different lives and weren't able to make it work. She wasn't happy in the inside and for a while she hid her true feelings from friends." Now she's "happy" with Paul, whom she met through a mutual friend. "[Dolores is] with him constantly. She likes him a lot and they have a lot in common," said the insider. "She's attracted to him on a deeper level, especially his charitable side and giving back which is something she does all the time." They also reportedly have "amazing chemistry."
Keep reading for more celeb love life updates this week…
RELATED: The weirdest celeb hookups of 2021
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Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler sparked romance rumors when they attended a yoga class together in Los Angeles on Dec. 19 — just a month after the 20-year-old model and actor Jacob Elordi called it quits following more than a year of coupledom. Photos showed the pair leaving together in her car, which he drove. (See them here.) The 30-year-old "The Carrie Diaries" alum made headlines back in August when he was snapped smooching Lily-Rose Depp amid his romance with another actress: Olivia DeJonge. As for Jacob…
RELATED: Celeb splits of 2021
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The same day Kaia Geber was seen with Austin Butler, her ex, Jacob Elordi, was snapped enjoying an extremely casual outing with Olivia Jade. On Dec. 19, the "Euphoria" actor and the former "Dancing With the Stars" season 30 contestant — who's best known for her unwitting role in the college admissions scandal that embroiled her parents, "Full House" star Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli — were snapped picking up coffee with his dog in Los Angeles. Although they also spent time with friends on the coffee run — during which the beauty influencer went without makeup while dressed down in oversized sweats, slippers and a trucker hat — they left together in his car. (See photos here.) Two days later, People magazine reported that, according to a source, they're "casually dating." Olivia, however, is still in touch with her ex, Jackson Guthy: "Olivia is happy, but she and Jackson still talk often. It wouldn't be a surprise for anyone to see them get back together," said the source. Olivia and Jackson have been off and on for several years.
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Scott Disick has been linked another model significantly younger than him. The reality TV star is spending time with a woman from his past: model Bella Banos. On Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 — more than a year after they were last seen together in public — the pair were snapped hanging out on the beach in St. Barts. (The 38-year-old father of three and the 25-year-old beauty were first linked back in 2017.) Meanwhile, People magazine reported on Dec. 20 that, according to a source, Scott's most recent ex, Amelia Gray Hamlin, is finally "open to dating again" three months after their September split. "It has to be the right person. She hasn't closed herself off at all to dating, it'll just never be with Scott again," said the source, adding that the model "is not opposed to dating someone in the spotlight" and "age is not a problem for her." Explained the insider, "She can date someone younger or someone older. It's not a deal-breaker. … She is taking some time to figure out what she wants in her next relationship but is having fun hanging out with guys and finding something new. She's done with Scott and she'd be fine never speaking to him again and her parents are happy about that. … She's just focusing on herself right now and is in a really good place because of it."
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On Dec. 21, Page Six reported that, amid allegations he sexually assaulted multiple women, Chris Noth's marriage with Tara Wilson is "hanging by a thread." Tara is reportedly keeping her distance from her New York-based husband — who claims the encounters with his accusers were consensual — by spending time in Los Angeles, where she's been seen without her wedding ring. "Tara is upset," said a source. "She just wants to protect [their two] kids. That is her No. 1 priority." According to a spy, the duo "looked so happy" at the Dec. 8 premiere of the "Sex and the City" reboot "And Just Like That…" But much has changed since then. At least one of the alleged assaults took place after Chris and Tara tied the knot in 2012, while another allegedly occurred after they started dating in 2001. One of his accusers has claimed the actor told her, "Marriage is a sham. Monogamy is not real." Meanwhile, a purported friend told The U.S. Sun of the embattled actor, "He is a flirt, but not a sleaze. He's no [Harvey] Weinstein. … He may be non-monogamous, we have established that his wife didn't know [about his encounters with other women]. If anything, he is guilty of that."
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On Dec. 21, People magazine broke the news that "Selling Sunset" co-stars Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim recently ended the romantic aspect of their relationship just five months after taking things to the next level. Jason soon confirmed the news on Instagram, writing, "While Chrishell and I are no long together, we remain best friends and we will always love and support one another. She was the most amazing girlfriend I've ever had, and it was the happiest and most fulfilling relationship of my life." He then alluded to what went wrong, adding, "While we have different wants regarding a family, we continue to have the utmost respect for one another. Chrishell is an exceptional human being and loving her and having her in my life is one of the best things that has ever happened to me." Chrishell, meanwhile, wrote on Instagram, "After many long heartfelt talks, I am choosing to see [our relationship] as a success no matter what label is attached to it publicly. Jason was and is my best friend, and other than our ideas for family ultimately not being aligned, the amount of respect and love we have for each other will not change going forward. Men have the luxury of time that women don't and that's just the way it goes. … I very much hope to one day have a family and decisions I make at this point are with that goal in mind." The 40-year-old former soap star concluded by thanking Jason "for the most incredible relationship and for consistently being honest with me even when it hurts." But they weren't the only members of the "Selling Sunset" cast who had breakup news to share this week…
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Also on Dec. 21, Jason Oppenheim's twin brother and The Oppenheim Group co-founder Brett Oppenheim revealed on his Instagram Story that he and Tina Louise are no longer an item. When a fan asked if he's currently single, he replied, "As of very recently, actually, yes." Meanwhile, the Australian model wrote in a since-deleted Instagram Story post, "Brett is my ex, but we remain very good friends." Like Jason and Chrishell Stause, Brett and Tina started dating in the spring of 2021.
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On Dec. 17 — as rumors that Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley had quietly called it quits started gaining steam online — People magazine reported that, according to a source, the professional football player and the actress are "still together" and "have a different, non-traditional relationship." The source went on to say that the duo, who got engaged in late 2020, are simply "very private about things." The couple haven't been seen together in months, though Shai made headlines in mid-November when she shamed a stranger while trying to defend her beau amid a controversy surrounding his vaccination status.
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On Dec. 21, Bethenny Frankel sparked rumors that she and her off-and-on love of several years, Paul Bernon, were off again when she took to Instagram to share a photo of herself sitting by a Christmas tree while rocking an ugly Christmas sweater featuring the words "all my jingle ladies" — a play on Beyonce's 2008 hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." (The massive engagement ring Paul gave her when he proposed in February 2021 was nowhere to be seen.) "Shoutout to all my #jingleladies who can put their own ring on it," the former "The Real Housewives of New York City" star wrote in the caption. As the buzz surrounding her relationship status started growing online, Bethenny took to her Instagram Story to set the record straight: "I am engaged to a wonderful man named Paul," she said. "We are engaged. I don't always wear my ring. I don't have to always wear my ring. Sometimes I don't feel that it's safe. Sometimes my fingers swell or contract."
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Season 18 of "The Bachelorette" came to an end on Dec. 21 with Michelle Young accepting a marriage proposal from Nayte Olukoya. After the finale aired, the happy couple made it clear on social media that they're still going strong. Michelle shared a sweet poem dedicated to her "SoulNayte," while he shared a lengthy message gushing about their journey together thus far. (He also made light of fans' perception that he's "a walking red flag," which he attributed to how the show was edited.)
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According to Us Weekly, which published exclusive wedding photos, "The Real Housewives of Miami" star Alexia Echevarria married Todd Nepola at the Eden Rock hotel in St. Barts on Dec. 16. "I'm a wife!!! (A real one.) It still feels like a dream I can't even put into words. [It was] perfect for us! Truly everything we wanted. Just him and I. … We look forward to celebrating with our friends and family in 2022," gushed the bride. She and Todd got engaged in December 2019 after two years of coupledom. They originally intended to tie the knot in August 2021 but were forced to change their plans when Alexia's mother caught COVID. She ultimately died on what would've been their wedding day.
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According to The Blast, Meagan Good's husband of nearly a decade, DeVon Franklin, filed for divorce in Los Angeles on Dec. 20. The following day, the pair released a statement confirming the breakup news: "After much prayer and consideration, we have decided to go into our futures separately but forever connected. We celebrate almost a decade of marriage together and a love that is eternal. There's no one at fault, we believe this is the next best chapter in the evolution of our love. We are incredibly grateful for the life-changing years we've spent together as husband and wife. We are also extremely thankful to God for the testimony being created inside us both and for blessing our lives with each other," they said. According to divorce docs, the "Cousin Skeeter" alum and the film producer listed "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split and noted that they officially separated in August.
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According to E! News, which published exclusive wedding photos, "Ladies of London" alum Caroline Stanbury and former professional soccer player Sergio Carrallo tied the knot at the Raffles the Palm resort in Dubai, where they live, on Dec. 18. Guests included "Ladies of London" co-stars Sophie Stanbury, Juliet Angus, Caroline Fleming, Luke Henderson and JT Foxx. "It's a new day and I'm ready to start a new chapter," the bride, who donned three wedding gowns on her big day, gushed of married life to E! The duo announced their engagement in January 2021.
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According to People magazine, Casey Cott and Nichola Basara tied the knot at the Four Seasons in Whistler, Canada, on Dec. 18. Guests included the groom's "Riverdale" co-stars Camila Mendes, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Madelaine Petsch and Drew Ray Tanner. The happy couple got engaged in late 2020.
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On Dec. 17, The Band Perry singer Kimberly Perry revealed on Instagram that she secretly married Johnny Costello earlier this year. "Wishing everyone a very MARRIED Christmas…" she captioned a photo with her hubby. "Today my love, @juannycostello, and I are celebrating 6 months since 'I do!' On June 17th we hit the road from LA to Las Vegas in a black Corvette and got married at midnight. It was wild and wonderful and reminded me all over again that God is the most glorious creator and the master of the most beautiful blueprint for our lives! I love you Johnny and can't wait for forever…."
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On the Dec. 17 episode of her "Whine Down" podcast, Jana Kramer opened up about her brief love affair with Jay Cutler earlier this year: "Just because I went on a date with someone doesn't mean we're exclusive and he's my boyfriend," she said, adding that the former professional football player was "never" her boyfriend. "I get scared to want to talk about my dating life because I've been so fooled that I'm terrified to be fooled again," continued the mother of two, who split from husband Mike Caussin in April after he strayed from the marriage … again. "Obviously, the whole Jay stuff, that became public because we went out and he was a very public person so obviously that came out. But I never spoke on it because I didn't know what it was," the "One Tree Hill" alum explained. Jana and Jay, who split from Kristin Cavallari in early 2020, went out on a few dates in September.
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On the Dec. 21 episode of Dear Media's "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast, Lala Kent called her ex-fiancé, Randall Emmett, the "worst thing" to ever happen to her. "I have to understand how the worst thing to ever happen or come into my life [could also] give me the best thing to ever happen in my life," she said, referencing the daughter, Ocean, she shares with the film producer, who was embroiled in a cheating scandal in October. "I wish that somebody would've come to me and said, 'I'm getting DMs about your person.' No one voiced any concern for me and my relationship," she said. "I would give everything to turn back the clock and have someone tell me something. … My head was completely in the sand. I think I ignored a lot of things that I probably shouldn't have, but I think I ignored them because he's good at what he does." When the "Vanderpump Rules" star saw photos of Randall purportedly cheating in Nashville, she knew she would "do what I need to do to exit this relationship," she said. Added the reality star, "I thank God and my [late] dad daily that I never married him. Just the thought of it sends me into a panic. If I would've gotten married, oh my God!" Randall and Lala got engaged back in 2018.
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On Dec. 19, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" newbie Noella Bergener took to Instagram to shed some light on her divorce from husband James Bergener. "Five months ago, my husband and partner of 6 years left the house with his toothbrush leaving behind his life, family and home. He ended our marriage with service of divorce papers from Puerto Rico. Which he doesn't qualify for since we are California citizens and nothing untoward happened in our marriage there," she wrote, adding that they'd been arguing since she found out about his alleged tax troubles through a gossip site a few weeks earlier. "To this date James has not visited our son or given me any explanation for his departure. He has fled the state to evade service. My cards are still shut off, he hasn't paid a dime in support, he stopped paying for our home and is currently holding up our divorce unless I sign a statement saying that I lied about him, his business partner and his brand. I spoke nothing but the truth and have all the receipts." Continued the reality star, who also has a daughter from a previous marriage, "I realize there are three sides to every story. I have asked him to give an explanation through a 3rd party to provide insight which he has repeatedly declined." She concluded by claiming she's going through "hell" and tacked on hashtags for "divorce sucks" and "I need closure." On Dec. 21, People magazine published a statement from James addressing Noella's allegations against him: "I look forward to addressing all these false accusations in a courtroom. A judge in Puerto Rico, where I am a resident, has already granted our divorce. Ultimately Noella is the mother of my child and I will not publicly disparage her," he said.
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On Dec. 18, People magazine published a statement from Jennifer Lopez shooting down a Dec. 15 report that she was "p*****" when Ben Affleck seemingly implied his marriage with Jennifer Garner drove him to drink: "This story is simply not true. It is not how I feel. I couldn't have more respect for Ben as a father, a co-parent, and a person," she said. A source close to the couple added that they're "in a really great space and really happy." In mid-December, Ben made waves when he opened up about his relationship with his ex-wife and said, "Part of why I started drinking was because I was trapped." He added that if they hadn't called it quits, he "probably still would be drinking." He's since insisted that his comments were taken out of context.
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Bachelor Nation served up arguably its biggest plot twist yet when Haley Stevens took to Instagram on Dec. 19 to announce that she's engaged to Hannah Brown's little brother, Patrick Brown. "12.18.21 I said YES to forever with my best friend!! …and it was perfect! Thank you to everyone who made this day so special! And to my FIANCÉ, I love you!!!" she captioned a slideshow of photos depicting the proposal, which went down in Mentone, Alabama. Haley and Patrick went public with their romance in early 2021 — nearly two years after Haley alleged she was in a relationship with Jed Wyatt when he left to compete for Hannah's heart on season 15 of "The Bachelorette" in 2019. Hannah and Jed got engaged while shooting the reality show but split as the season was airing when Haley told multiple media outlets that Jed was there for the wrong reasons — to promote his music career — and that he ghosted her for Hannah. Haley later discovered that Jed also cheated on her with other women. The musician, meanwhile, has claimed that he and Haley were never in a relationship.
