By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:25am PDT, Jul 25, 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 mid-July 2021, starting with this hot and heavy new couple…Sorry, Kravis stans! TMZ reported on July 17 that, according to multiple sources, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are not engaged (yet!) — nor did they secretly tie the knot during a headline-making trip to Las Vegas earlier this month. Marriage could be in the cards, though! A few days earlier, E! News reported that, according to a source, the reality star and the rocker "are in it for the long haul" and "have talked about marriage." Said the source, "It was an instant connection and bond ever since they became romantically involved. … Everyone in [her] family adores Travis and their families mesh seamlessly. Kourtney is so close with Travis's kids now and vice versa. They have become a family unit together and it's special." A second E! source echoed that Kourtney and Travis are "head over heels" and have "never experienced love like this." Said the source, "Kourtney is the happiest. Travis adores her and treats her so well. It's very different than her other relationships and all positive. … [They aren't] shy about talking about their future plans of being together. It's a special love and they want to celebrate that and enjoy it."
Now keep reading for more of the week's biggest celeb love life updates…
RELATED: Surprising celeb couples
On July 21, Kristin Cavallari took to her Instagram Story to shoot down rumors that she's "involved in a love triangle." Since late 2020, there've been persistent rumors that she's dating either Austen Kroll or Craig Conover. (They're pictured with her BFF, Justin Anderson, in December.) In recent months, however, Austen has also been linked to "Summer House" newcomer Ciara Miller, while Craig has also been linked to "Summer House" veteran Paige DeSorbo. (More on those rumored romances here.) "There's a little something that I feel like I should clear up. I do not feel like I owe anybody an explanation. Normally I don't comment on this stuff, however, these rumors have been going on for about a year now," she said. "[Someone] is saying that I'm involved in a love triangle, which is not true. I haven't been involved in a love triangle since I was in high school. I'm not dating anybody. I haven't dated anybody in a few months, and these two guys that I've been linked to for the past year are my friends. That's it. I've never dated either one of them. I can guarantee that I'm not gonna date either one of them. And it's possible for a grown woman to be friends with a grown man and for that to be it. So I'm not dating anybody, I can assure you of that. I've actually really enjoyed being single for the last few months." She wrote across the videos, "Let's clear up some gossip. … My one and only love triangle was documented in high school [on 'Laguna Beach']. … I'm single and loving it." Kristin dated comedian Jeff Dye late last year and early this year, but they haven't been seen together since the spring.
RELATED: Memorable TV love triangles
On July 19, Celebitchy reported that the new print edition of Us Weekly makes the wild claim that Jennifer Aniston "has been enjoying a fling" with Halle Berry's former long-term partner, Gabriel Aubry. "Jen is so happy to be having fun again," a source allegedly said, adding that the actress is currently focused on "enjoying herself on a spontaneous level … [in] every aspect of her life." The article — which curiously does not appear on Us Weekly's website, indicating there may be something fishy with the reporting — goes on to claim that, according to the source, Jen has been keeping her dates with the comely Canadian "low-key and under the radar." Said the source, "Jen likes that she can enjoy herself free of judgement or expectation. That's why Gabriel is great for her. He's a laid-back and sensitive guy who's not going to blab about things and Jen can feel safe knowing that what happens behind closed doors will stay private." Continued the alleged insider, "Unlike years gone by, Jen isn't bothered about finding someone special for a long-term, exclusive deal. She has a chill, way more content type of vibe. 'If it happens, it happens' is her new philosophy." The source then said of the male model, "Physically he's perfect, eyes are a big thing for Jen and she's a sucker for guys with blonde hair and a deep tan." (Sound familiar?) Even stranger, the article then notes that the Emmy winner has a secret "friends with benefits situation" with ex-husband Brad Pitt … which contradicts Us Weekly' previous reporting about the nature of their relationship. "Brad won't mind that Jen's having fun and enjoying dates with Gabriel. They don't really talk about other people they hang out with. It would be a little awkward. Brad trusts Jen to make the right choices with this stuff and knows she can look after herself," the source reportedly said.
Just last week, it seemed like Adele had finally confirmed her long-rumored romance with Skepta. But it's now clear she's dating someone else entirely: sports agent Rich Paul. The duo got tongues wagging by sitting together during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 17. Although the Grammy-winning singer has yet to comment on her latest rumored romance, Rich hinted at it during an interview with The New Yorker that debuted online back in late May: He casually mentioned that he'd been "hanging out" with "a major pop star." He then curiously added, "I'm not dating. I'm single. Put that in the story." On July 20, People magazine reported that, according to a source, Adele and Rich have, in fact, been seeing each other "for a few months." A Page Six source added that the pair are "dating … 100 percent."
Earlier this month, Page Six reported that Irina Shayk only likes rumored boyfriend Kanye West — to whom she was first linked in May — "as a friend." But on July 16, People magazine reported that, according to a source, the rapper and the Russian beauty "are very much still dating," and, in fact, the model is "so upset at the lies" that their relationship is "cooling off," she's considering taking legal action against Page Six. Agreed an E! News source of Irina and Kanye, "They are still in touch and [have seen each other] a few times [recently]. He is very interested in dating her and seeing her more." Meanwhile, Kanye and estranged wife Kim Kardashian are said to be "getting along great" as they co-parent their four children.
RELATED: Celeb splits of 2021
Jason Sudeikis and Keeley Hazell finally went public with their long-rumored romance in late June. But on July 21, Page Six reported that they're no long an item: "He is not in any relationship," said a source. "He's not seeing anyone. He's definitely not with Keeley. He's just with his [two] kids [with ex Olivia Wilde] and focusing on 'Ted Lasso.'"
On July 20, Paulina Porizkova took to Instagram to announce that she and Aaron Sorkin recently called it quits. "I'm so grateful for his presence in my life. He helped heal me and reclaim myself. There truly may be no better man, no man who's more genuinely 'good.' He's brilliant and witty and funny and sexy. But it doesn't matter how much we may wish we were birds of a feather — we're still a duck and a goose," the supermodel captioned a photo of herself and the Oscar winner. The duo made headlines in April when they confirmed their rumored romance by posing together on the red carpet at the 2021 Academy Awards.
On the July 19 episode of her "Unqualified" podcast, Anna Faris revealed that she and longtime love Michael Barrett eloped "at a local courthouse up in Washington state." It's unclear when exactly the duo, who got engaged in 2019, exchanged vows. The actress casually dropped the news while noting that the cinematographer is "now my husband." Said the "Just Friends" funny-woman, "I just blurted that out, but it just feels [like] I can't say 'fiancé' anymore. … It was awesome. It feels great." She added of their nuptials, "Everything about it just felt right. … It was [at the] San Juan Islands up in Washington state, which is just the most magical place on earth."
On July 21, E! News confirmed recent rumors that Scheana Shay and Brock Davies are engaged. The rumors kicked off when the "Vanderpump Rules" star sported a giant sparkler while posing with her beau at a special screening of "Midnight in the Switchgrass" in Los Angeles on July 19. (The event also marked their official red-carpet debut as a couple!) The reality star rocked the same eyebrow-raising bauble while out with her beau and several of her "Vanderpump Rules" co-stars the following evening. (See photos here.) The couple, who started dating in late 2019, welcomed daughter Summer Moon in April.
Here we go again… Hayden Panettiere sparked reconciliation rumors with off-and-on love Brian Hickerson — who recently spent time behind bars for assaulting her multiple times in 2019 and 2020 — when they stepped out together twice in West Hollywood in the span of four days. On July 17, the pair were seen enjoying a night out with friends at a Tex-Mex restaurant in West Hollywood. Then on July 20, they were spotted watching the NBA Finals by themselves at the very same hotspot. After their hangouts made headlines, Brian told E! News, "Hayden and I are not back together but are working on a friendship. We have a long history together, and the first step in my recovery as an abuser is making amends. That's exactly what Hayden has been gracious enough to allow me to do." Said a source close the former child star, "Hayden is open to forgiving Brian and starting a new chapter, despite her loved ones' concerns. Hayden has a huge heart and wants to see the best in everyone."
During an interview with the Daily Mail that debuted online on July 16, Ant Anstead's friend and former "Wheeler Dealers" co-star Mike Brewer couldn't stop gushing about Ant's new romance with Renee Zellweger. "I think Renee has found her Prince Charming and Ant has found a real woman in Renee," he said. "He's got a woman who cares about him, and he cares about her. They are both wonderful people and they deserve this happiness. … They just clicked, and the timing was right." He went on to say that Ant and Renee "wanted to keep it private at first," but the "Judy" star is "comfortable now with them being seen together, shopping at Home Depot or just doing the ordinary things other couples do." Her A-list status, meanwhile, "won't make an ounce of difference to Ant," said Mike. "I'm sure there's a lot of noise going on around a Hollywood actress and Renee probably enjoys just going to the grocery store in her joggers and having a happy, simple life with Ant." Mike added that he's yet to meet the Oscar-winning actress but has chatted with her via FaceTime. "She seems like a wonderful, warm lady. It's nice to see her and Ant so happy," he said. "Renee is keen to meet me and my family and we're keen to meet her. She also wants to meet Ant's family, so I think she and Ant will come over here as soon as they are able to." The "Bridget Jones's Diary" alum has already met one very important family member: Hudson, the nearly 2-year-old son Ant shares with his ex-wife, Christina Haack (formerly Christina El Moussa and Christina Anstead). "Renee has a great relationship with Hudson, something that's obviously very important to Ant," said Mike. "He's found love again with a wonderful lady and Renee realizes that she's found a great guy. He deserves Renee and she deserves him." Mike also shed some light on what went wrong between Ant and Christina: "It was a whirlwind romance, maybe it was a bit too soon on the back of their previous marriages. When we talked about it, he would say, 'What's wrong with me that women give up on me?' But he did absolutely nothing wrong. I don't think Ant was what Christina wanted — he's a mechanic and a man's man and a humble guy. I think she wanted someone a bit more high-status." As for Ant's first marriage, "[It] broke down under the pressure of work and him being away from home so much," Mike said. "It broke him when he split up with [first wife Louise]. It absolutely destroyed him because he was such a family man. He still came to work every day, but he was a mess and we all had to look after him." Ant has two teen children from his first marriage.
In other Ant Anstead news… TMZ reported on July 15 that, according to legal documents, Christina Haack (formerly Christina El Moussa and Christina Anstead) is walking away from her marriage with the British TV personality with four properties in California, a property in Tennessee, a Range Rover, a Bentley and her wedding ring. The former "Wheeler Dealers" host, meanwhile, will hold on to 100% of his businesses — including a media production company — and seven cars: a Range Rover, a Land Rover, a 2019 Lotus Type 62, an Alfa Romeo Tipo, a 1958 Porsche, a Ford Mustang and a Comet. Neither will pay spousal support or child support to the other. The duo, who will share joint legal and physical custody of their nearly 2-year-old son, finalized their divorce in mid-June. Like Ant, Christina is also seeing someone new.
Bobby Bones and Caitlin Parker tied the knot at their home in the Nashville area on July 17. According to People magazine, which published exclusive wedding photos, guests included country music stars Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen and Chuck Wicks, Charlamagne Tha God, tennis star Andy Roddick, who served as a groomsman, and Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, who performed the newlyweds' first dance song. Bobby and Caitlin got engaged in late 2020 after less than a year of coupledom.
Teresa Giudice and her boyfriend, Louie Ruelas, took to Instagram on July 18 to celebrate their first anniversary. "A year, wow, I would have never imagined how in one year I would feel so loved. You are so kind, supportive and loving. You take great care and consideration in everything you do. You have shown my girls so much love, I adore you. I admire your incredible parenting and your work ethic, and the passion you put into everything you do. You have made me smile every single day for the last year and I love you today and all of my tomorrows," the mother of four captioned a slideshow of photos with her beau. Louie, meanwhile, shared two photos with Teresa on the street in Lavallette, New Jersey, where they met while vacationing in the summer of 2020: "In this exact spot is where I found my soulmate. This is the day I became the luckiest man alive. I found my one true love. I found my one and only and my forever always. I fall more deeply in love with you every single day, and when I tell you how much you mean to me and how much I ADORE YOU, it's to remind you that you are my world, you are my today and tomorrow — I will always treat you like the princess you are and LOVE you unconditionally forever. Happy Anniversary Teresa #trueloveexists."
On the July 19 episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," Joshua Jackson revealed that it was his wife, Jodie Turner-Smith, who actually proposed to him: "She asked me, yeah, on New Year's Eve [in December 2018]. We were in Nicaragua. It was very beautiful, incredibly romantic. We were walking down the beach, and she asked me to marry her. … I did not know [she was going to propose]. But she was quite adamant, and she was right. This is the best choice I ever made." They welcomed a baby girl in April 2020.
On the July 13 episode of the "Toxic: The Britney Spears Story" podcast, Jason Alexander claimed that he was tricked into signing the paperwork to annul his marriage to Britney Spears after just 55 hours in 2004. "They told me if I would sign the contracts — the annulment — they would let me and Britney continue our relationship, and if we felt the same way in six months, they would give us a proper marriage," he alleged, according to Just Jared. "So I had no reason to believe otherwise. I thought that's what the truth was. They were allowing Britney and I to still have phone communication. … So we were talking every day and I still believed the story I was told, that they were going to let us continue to talk and then we would have this marriage in the future if we felt the same way." Jason had 30 days to contest the annulment. The day after the window closed, Britney's handlers disconnected her phone. "Literally the day after, like, the 30 days was up, I remember trying to call the number I had for Britney and it was [disconnected]. … I'm like, 'They got me!' … So that was it." During an interview with DailyMail.com that debuted online on July 20, divorce attorney Mark Goldberg, who consulted with Jason about the annulment back in 2004, confirmed that Jason "really hoped and believed that he and Britney would get back together." The lawyer recalled that "it was Britney's idea to get married," that Jason claimed they were sober when they exchanged vows and that "they just really loved each other." According to Mark, "all hell broke loose" when Britney and Jason told her mother, Lynn Spears, that they'd tied the knot. Mark went on to say that he advised Jason against signing the annulment paperwork. "He told me, 'They want an annulment. I love her, I think she loves me, we'll see what the future holds.' … I told him we could fight the annulment, but I think in his heart Jason thought and hoped that if he went along with it, [they] would get back together," he recalled. "Jason was confused because he loved Britney and he didn't want to hurt her, but he was very afraid of her mother and management. This wasn't a stranger she'd just picked up. They had known each other for years. He thought if he played the game and did what they asked, she'd come round and he and Britney would be together."
According to TMZ, Scooter Braun filed to divorce wife Yael Cohen in Los Angeles on July 21 — less than two weeks after multiple media outlets reported they'd separated but had no plans to end their marriage in the eyes of the law. The talent manager is asking for joint custody of their three kids and has reportedly agreed to pay spousal support to his ex. The webloid notes that the former couple signed a prenup before tying the knot in 2014 and that, according to their sources, the breakup is amicable.
On July 12 — after "Southern Charm" star Naomie Olindo suddenly unfollowed her boyfriend of more than three years, Metul Shah, on social media and deleted old photos of him from her Instagram — buzz started growing online that they'd quietly split after she caught him cheating. An anonymous source told Deux Moi, "Naomie is single. … A little birdy told me [Metul] hasn't been loyal." A second anonymous source alleged that the anesthesiologist "cheated with his ex" — a woman with whom he'd been "talking again for over a year." (Other anonymous sources claimed he cheated with more than one woman.) Naomie, who moved to New York City for Metul earlier this summer, soon took to her Instagram Story to confirm the breakup news. In the process, she confirmed her ex strayed from the relationship: "Nothing will be worse than losing my dad, but this is a close second. Betrayal is never easy for anyone, and I'm just so sorry to anyone else who has stumbled across those terrible messages," she wrote, implying that she learned Metul was cheating when she discovered his inappropriate communications with other women. (Her agent also told People magazine, "Naomie and Metul are no longer together.")
Former NBA star Derek Fisher married Gloria Govan at Cielo Farms in Malibu on July 17 — more than three years after they got engaged following a three-year courtship. "For both of us, this is our second marriage," the "Basketball Wives" alum told People magazine, which published exclusive wedding photos. "The most exciting part about this time around is all the growth we bring to the relationship. The trials and tribulations we've experienced have played a huge part in who we are in our relationship today. From the start, we've been very honest about our expectations from our friendship to marriage." Gloria and Derek initially planned to tie the knot in April 2020 but delayed their nuptials amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Sweet Magnolias" star Carson Rowland took to Instagram on July 11 to announce that he got engaged to his girlfriend of nearly two years, Maris Kenny. "Forever and always," he captioned a photo of himself popping the question. The bride-to-be captioned the same shot on her own Instagram, "My best friend is going to be my husband! @carsonrowland you are better than my wildest dreams I can't wait to be your wife!"
On July 13, Runaway June singer-songwriter Naomi Cooke took to Instagram to announce that she and The Night Game and Boys Like Girls singer Martin Johnson recently tied the knot at the Bald Mountain Camps Resort in Rangeley, Maine. "We got married!!! … Over the weekend, a small but mighty fortress of friends and family held hands in a circle around us as we turned the page into a brand new chapter of life as husband and wife," she captioned a slideshow of photos from their "The Parent Trap" summer camp-themed nuptials. The bride captioned a second slideshow of wedding pics, "Johnsons party of 2!!!" Naomi and Martin got engaged in late 2020 after a year and a half of dating.
On July 13, Bachelor Nation's Kenny King announced on his Instagram Story that he's "no longer engaged" and "no longer in a relationship." The professional wrestler — who competed for Rachel Lindsay's heart on season 13 of "The Bachelorette" in 2017 and then briefly appeared on season 5 of "Bachelor in Paradise" — added that he's "single." Kenny got engaged to his girlfriend of nearly two years, hairstylist and makeup artist London Ferris, in the summer of 2020.
Amrit Kapai and his boyfriend of nearly a decade, Nicholas Kouchoukos, proposed to each other on the July 14 episode of "Family Karma" — the Bravo show on which the handsome lawyer's family stars. After the episode aired, he took to Instagram to celebrate, captioning a slideshow of photos depicting the proposal, "We said yes! You saved me, Nik. Who's ready for a big gay Indian wedding?!"
On July 7, People magazine broke the news that Lewis Brice got engaged to girlfriend Denelle Manzer during a recent fishing trip in Alaska. "Biggest catch of my life," the country music singer-songwriter and younger brother of Lee Brice joked of the engagement. He and his future missus have been an item since 2017 when they met at the bar in Nashville where she was working as a bartender at the time. "To be honest, I never really wanted to get married… until I met Lewis," she gushed. "I knew after about a year that he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. … Just being around him makes me feel safe, like I'm home. He caught me completely off guard! I was so shocked — the man of my dreams asked me to marry him. Best day of my life!"
On July 15, E! News published a statement from "Married at First Sight" couple Erik Lake and Virginia Coombs — who met on the 12th season of the Lifetime reality show and tied the knot in August 2020 — announcing that they filed for divorce earlier this summer. "We've made best efforts to keep some parts of our relationship out of the public eye. This entire process has been difficult as is without the constant chatter of public opinion," they said. "Contrary to popular belief, we've been together and trying to make our marriage work since Decision Day. While we have decided to get a divorce, we aren't closing the doors on a possible future together. We love each other and will continue to navigate our new reality post show." Their decision to divorce will reportedly play out on "Married at First Sight: Couples' Cam," which is currently in production. According to Us Weekly, divorce documents filed in June indicate that the pair have been living apart since April.
In other "Married at First Sight" breakup news… On July 12, E! News published a joint statement from Ryan Oubre and Clara Berghaus — who tied the knot in the fall of 2020 after meeting on season 12 — announcing that they also recently called it quits. "After taking some time away from cameras, we have reached that point in our marriage where we know it's better to go our separate ways. It's not an easy decision to make it, nor we do we take these next steps lightly. Grateful to all who stood by us and continue to stand by us as we make this very difficult decision. It goes without saying, we remain friends and hope for nothing but the best for each other," they said.
