Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits

The best thing about a rough breakup is the chance of a new beginning. From Mariah Carey and new beau James Packer to Ciara's newfound love with Russell Wilson, these celeb women found happiness again.
By Dominique Hobdy and Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
Then: Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were married for six years before they decided to part ways. Fortunately, it’s been reported that they’re on good terms with each other and their main focus is their twins Morrocan and Monroe, AKA “dem babies.”

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Mark Davis/WireImage
02
Now: Mariah Carey and James Packer

Mariah debuted her new beau James Packer this week at the New York premiere of The Intern. The couple, who’ve been dating for three months, look as happy as ever.  

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
03
Then: Gabrielle Union and Chris Howard

Gabrielle Union and former NFL player Chris Howard were married for almost six years before getting divorced in 2006. Although it didn’t work out, Gabrielle says she learned a lot about relationships during her time with Chris. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
04
Now: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

These days it’s hard to imagine the Being Mary Jne star with anyone other than her hubby Dwayne Wade. The adorable couple recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary. 

 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
D Dipasupil/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
05
Then: Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry

Halle Berry and model Gabriel Aubry’s seemingly picturesque union ended in April 2010 after five years of dating.  The pair made headlines with public court battles over child support following their split. They currently have joint custody of their daughter Nahla. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
06
Now: Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez

Berry met French actor Olivier Martinez in 2010 while filming the movie Dark Tide in South Africa and the pair has shown no signs of slowing down since. They married in 2013, and now have a son together, Maceo, 1. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
07
Then: Ciara and Future

Ciara and rapper Future went through a sudden breakup just months after welcoming their first child, a son they named Future Jr.

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
08
Now: Ciara and Russell Wilson

Enter Russell Wilson. Ciara’s handsome and wholesome NFL beau is just what the doctor offered. The pair has been pretty public about their celibacy pact and it looks like he and baby Future get along famously. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for BET
09
Then: Tina And Mathew Knowles

We couldn’t believe our ears when the news of Tina and Matthew Knowles’ split hit the airwaves. Beyonce and Solange’s parents had been married since 1980, and split up in 2009 amidst rumors that Matthew had fathered a child outside of the marriage. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
10
Now: Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson

Tina and her new man Richard Lawson made quite a splash with their nuptials. The couple wed aboard a gorgeous yacht this spring surrounded by close friends and family and produced some of the most flawless wedding pictures we’ve seen this year! 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
11
Then: Solange and Daniel Smith

Solange and ex-husband Daniel Smith split soon after the star moved to Idaho to be with him after giving birth to their son, Daniel Smith Jr. Although the relationship didn’t work, the pair focuses on co-parenting their now 10-year-old son. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
COLUMBIA RECORDS/PRN/Newscom
12
Now: Solange and Alan Ferguson

Solange and Alan Ferguson are the epitome of a cool couple. Not only do they match each other’s swag, but they pulled off what was quite possibly the chicest wedding of all time in November of 2014. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
13
Then: Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo

Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo surprised fans everywhere when they decided to call it quits in 2014 after dating for 3 years. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
14
Now: Jordin Sparks and Sage the Gemini

Jordin didn’t stay down for long revealing she was involved with rapper Sage the Gemini a few months after her split with Derulo. All seems to be well in their world, the star recently mentioned the possibility of a marriage. Do we hear wedding bells?

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Instagram / Jordin Sparks
15
Then: Nicki Minaj and Safaree Daniels

After a reported 14 years together Nicki Minaj and Safari Daniels split in 2013. It has been reported that Nicki’s fame was a source of jealously for him and it caused a rift in their relationship.

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
16
Now: Nicki Minaj and Meek Mills

Nicki has since moved on to her rapper beau Meek Mills. The two have even gone on tour together, showing that business and pleasure do mix. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
17
Then: Alicia Keys and Kerry ‘Krucial Keys’ Brothers Jr.

Although Alicia always kept mum about her relationship with music producer Kerry ‘Krucial Keys’ Brothers Jr., it has been reported that the two dated from the 1990s until 2008. They definitely had chemistry—the pair worked together on several of Alicia’s early hits.

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
18
Now: Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats tied the knot in 2010 and recently celebrated their five-year anniversary. The pair recently welcomed their second child together and are going strong. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
19
Then: Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri

Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri were and item for over five years before calling it quits in 2010. Although things didn’t work out, they did end amicably. She credits the hip hop producer with changing her life.

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images
20
Now: Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana

Janet Jackson and her husband Wissam Al Mana were married in 2012. The couple keeps a low-profile and it seems like that’s just how Janet likes it. 

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
21
Then: Eve and Stevie J

Back in Eve’s early rap days, she and Love and Hip Hop Atlanta star Stevie J were an item. Although she says he was her first love, both have long since moved on without a friendship.

Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
22
Now: Eve and Maximillion Cooper
Eve and Maximillion Cooper
Comeback Love: How Your Favorite Celebs Bounced Back From Big Splits
Getty Images