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Home · Black Celeb Couples

Celeb Exes Who Took the High Road After Calling It Quits

When these celebs' relationships hit a low point, they chose to rise above the drama.

By Charli Penn · June 15, 2016October 27, 2020
01
Torrei Hart
Married at the age of 22, exes Torrei Hart and Kevin Hart divorced in 2011. Since then the two have set aside any animosity from their marriage and divorce for the sake of their children Hendrix and Heaven. The exes were recently spotted together—along with Kevin’s new wife Eniko—at the comedian’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star presentation not long after the funny man admitted that he was the one who “messed up” his marriage and is man enough to take blame for it.
Getty Images
02
Amber Rose

Exes Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa are no longer bitter exes. The couple recently finalized their divorce with very public displays of gratitude on Twitter while out together enjoying a peaceful dinner as friends.

Getty Images
03
Mariah Carey

Her Ex: Nick Cannon

Post Breakup Recap: After announcing their surprising split in late 2014, after six years of marriage, Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey have chosen not to trash talk each other in the media, despite tense divorce negotiations. They put their differences aside for twins Roc and Roe on Easter in this sweet family moment and then once again on Mother’s Day when Cannon thanked his soon-to-be ex wife via Instagram for blessing him with his two children and for being a great mother. When Carey recently became engaged to new beau Australian billionaire James Packer, Cannon shared his support on Instagram with a funny meme.

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04
Eva Longoria

Her Ex: Tony Parker

Post Breakup Recap: After their divorce, Piers Morgan asked if she felt “humiliated”. Her response: “A bit. Yeah. Mostly … because it had to play out so publicly. He’s not a bad person. He just wanted something else. And I don’t hate him for it. I really don’t.”

05
Keyshia Cole

Her Ex: Daniel “Boobie” Gibson

Post Breakup Recap: Keyshia Cole’s relationship with her ex-husband Daniel “Boobie” Gibson has been shaky here and there, but despite their rocky endings, they remain close as they co=parent. Boobie recently called them “great friends” after posting photos of them playing ping pong with their son on social media.

Instagram/BoobyGang
06
Lisa Bonet

Her Ex: Lenny Kravitz

Post Breakup Recap: After eloping with her rocker beau on her 20th birthday in 1987, the couple welcomed daughter Zoe Kravitz in 1988. Although they split five years later in 1993, and she went on to marry actor Jason Momoa in 2007, that never stopped Bonet and Kravitz from remaining close friends and awesome co-parents over the years. Most recently they shared this sweet family moment from the red carpet at the 2015 Met Gala. #aww

Twitter
07
Erykah Badu

Her Ex: Common

Post breakup recap: Erykah Badu will forever be known as the woman who got rapper turned actor Common to wear crochet pants. Ms. Badu denies that her allure is that powerful but the musical pair did share a courtship that bloomed in front of our eyes between 2000 and 2003. Even though they called it quits, she hasn’t made a “Tyrone” followup about Common and never will. Well played, Ms. Badu!

Getty Image
08
Idina Menzel

Her Ex: Taye Diggs

Post Breakup Recap: After 10 years of marriage, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel are filing for a very friendly divorce. “We go through tough times like everybodyelesebut we love each other very much,” Idina told People. “We try not to be away from each other more than two weeks at a time and we try to find new ways to communicate.”

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09
Paula Patton

Her Ex: Robin Thicke

Post Breakup Recap: Gasp! In early 2014, romantics all over the country were dealt a shocking blow when they learned that high school sweethearts Paula Patton and Robin Thicke were calling it quits after 22 years together and nine years of marriage. “We will always love each other and be best friends, however, we have mutually decided to separate at this time,” said Patton and Thicke in an exclusive statement when they made the announcement. Patton has refused to discuss their divorce publicly and over the holidays they were seen partying together.

Getty Images
10
Serena Williams

Her Ex: Common

Post Breakup Recap:Although the pair rarely ever even acknowledged they were dating, after they split the tennis pro did go on the record saying, “He does his thing; I do mine. Maybe we’ll meet somewhere in between.” They actually did meet up after Common won his first Oscar on Sunday and even snapped a pic together. Hm…

11
Kimora Lee Simmons

Her Ex: Russell Simmons

Post Breakup Recap: Both Russell and Kimora have moved on since their 2006 divorce. The pair are frequently spotted getting along wonderfully and out with their two kids. Kimora is currently expecting a baby with her current husband, banker Tim Leissner.

12
Rihanna

Her Ex: Chris Brown.

Post Breakup Recap: In February 2009 Chris was charged with assaulting Rihanna and ordered to stay away. Although she discussed domestic abuse with the press, she has never bad-mouthed Chris.

13
Christina Milian

Her Ex: The Dream (AKA Terius Nash)

Post Breakup Recap: Christina kept her opinions out of the press and in the courts. They avoided an ugly legal battle by agreeing to an amicable divorce settlement last November, saying privacy was in the best interest of their daughter Violet.

14
Janet Jackson

Her Ex: Jermaine Dupri

Post Breakup Recap: Even though the long time loves parted ways in 2009, since then Janet has said many times in the press that Jermaine “changed her life” for the better. Aww!

15
Angie Stone

Her Ex: D’Angelo

Post Breakup Recap: The soulful crooners found love with each other in the 90s and during their relationship they welcomed a son into the world. Although it didn’t last, Stone rarely discusses her ex, and when she went on the record with ESSENCE back in 2007, she had nothing but positive things to say about her son’s father and refused to add fuel to the rumor mill fires.

Getty Images/Getty Images
16
Alexis Phifer

Her Ex: She was engaged to Kanye West for 18 months.

Post Breakup Recap: “It’s always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends,” Phifer told People.com. “I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors.”

17
Eva Marcille Pigford

Her Ex: Lance Gross

Post Breakup Recap: After ending their engagement in 2010 (just five months before their wedding day) they’ve each moved on to new relationships and had children of their own. “All I care about is her being happy and I’m sure all she cares about is me being happy,” Lance said in an interview.

18
Kim Kardashian

Her Ex: Reggie Bush

Post Breakup Recap: Since finally ending their on-again/off again relationship in 2010, Kim and Reggie have been nothing but cordial to one another – often times even coming to each other’s defense against vicious rumors. We all know Kim is now happily married to rapper Kanye West.

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