Scandal Unveiled: Unveiling the Celebrities Dumped or Ended Relationships Via Text Message

Celebrities know firsthand that breaking up via text is a harsh method, even if it doesn't involve a post-it note like Carrie Bradshaw's ex Berger. Joe Jonas famously ended things with Taylor Swift in a mere 27-second phone call, but their split pales in comparison to Chrishell Stause's experience. She found out about her divorce from Justin Hartley through a text message.

Stause and Hartley began their relationship in 2013 and tied the knot after four years. However, in 2019, it was revealed that the actor had initiated divorce proceedings. Surprisingly, Stause was unaware of their impending separation until Hartley sent her a text informing her about the filing. Just 45 minutes later, the news became public knowledge.

As she found out, she was about to leave for work, so she quickly gathered some essentials and left in a hurry. She didn't have a clear plan or destination, but she felt the need to get away. Katy Perry went through a similar ordeal when she ended her relationship with Russell Brand. According to reports, he informed her of their marriage's end through a text message in December 2011, and she hasn't heard from him since.

Keep scrolling to see which other stars were dumped — or pulled the relationship plug  — via text message:

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Which Celebrities Were Dumped — Or Ended Relationships — Via Text Message? Us Investigates

Celebrities have experienced some harsh breakup methods, and while it may not be as dramatic as Carrie Bradshaw's ex Berger with his infamous post-it note, a text message is still a pretty brutal way to end a relationship. Just ask Joe Jonas, who famously called it quits with Taylor Swift in a 27-second phone call. However, the award for the most devastating text breakup goes to Chrishell Stause, who found out about her divorce from Justin Hartley through a text message.

Stause and Hartley began their relationship in 2013 and tied the knot after four years. In 2019, we received confirmation that the actor had initiated divorce proceedings. Surprisingly, Stause was not aware of the separation.

"I learned about it through a text message from him stating that we were filing for divorce," Stause revealed in her personal statement on Selling Sunset season 3. "Within forty-five minutes, the news had spread worldwide."

Katy Perry found herself in a similar position when her relationship with Russell Brand came to an end. According to the singer, Brand informed her of the breakup through a text message in December 2011. Since then, she has not had any contact with him.

Keep scrolling to see which other stars were dumped — or pulled the relationship plug  — via text message:

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Britney Spears

Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears were in a relationship from 1999 to 2002, and fans had long speculated about the way their breakup happened. In her memoir, titled The Woman in Me and published in 2023, Spears revealed that Timberlake ended their relationship with a text message. She described feeling shocked and devastated by the news.

According to an excerpt from the book, she mentioned that while she was unconscious in Louisiana, he was happily gallivanting in Hollywood. Ironically, years later, Kevin Federline discovered his divorce from Spears via a text message, as documented on the 2006 reality show Exposed after their two-year marriage.

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Chrishell Stause

The Selling Sunset star didn’t see it coming when Hartley reportedly revealed their divorce in a text.

They were married for two years, specifically from 2017 to 2019. Hartley, as mentioned in court documents obtained by We at the time, cited irreconcilable differences as the cause for their separation.

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Katy Perry

In 2013, Perry revealed to Vogue that she was infatuated with her ex-husband Brand, describing him as highly intelligent. As for their current relationship, she shared that she hadn't communicated with him since he texted her on December 31, 2011, announcing his decision to divorce. Their marriage lasted 14 months, commencing in October 2010 and ending in December 2011.

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Carrie Underwood

Underwood and Chace Crawford’s romance might have been brief as the message that ended things.

"We ended our relationship through text, so it's like saying 'goodbye,'" shared the country singer with Extra in 2008 regarding the brief romance that lasted several months. "I'm unsure why this information is surfacing now. It feels like we're revisiting past issues when you separate from someone and then, two months later, it resurfaces."

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Pete Davidson

Davidson reportedly called off his two-year relationship with Cazzie David in a text message before swiftly moving on with Ariana Grande.

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Ariana Grande

The singer shared in a 2013 interview with Complex that her most devastating breakup occurred through a text message on the opening night of her tour, just moments before she was set to perform. Although she never confirmed the identity of the person responsible, fans have strongly believed it was her ex, Jai Brooks.

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Rebel Wilson

Wilson dated Anheuser-Busch heir Jacob Busch for less than a year before calling it quits via text in February 2021.

“They had an amazing time in Aspen right before the holidays. Afterward, he traveled to Florida to spend time with his family and he extended an invitation for her to join them, hoping to introduce her to them. However, she never committed to the plan,” a source shared with Us during that time. “Throughout the holidays, they maintained frequent and excellent communication. But suddenly, without any warning, she became distant and ended the relationship through a text message about two or three weeks ago.”

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Perrie Edwards

According to Little Mix's Our World book, Edwards stated that Malik ended their engagement through a text message in 2015. However, the singer from One Direction quickly refuted these allegations.

In an interview with Fader that same year, he said, "I have too much respect for Perrie to end anything over a text message. I love her deeply, and I always will. I would never abruptly end our four-year relationship in such a manner." He emphasized that both Edwards and the public should be aware of this fact. He added, "I don't wish to elaborate on the reasons behind my actions. I simply want the public to know that it didn't happen as claimed."