Leaving a relationship is never easy. And while some might assume that walking away from a bad union would be a no-brainer, that is not always the case. Society celebrates women in partnerships with men, often attaching their worth to a relationship status. But you never lose when you choose yourself. And these women who left toxic celebrity relationships are proof that when you walk away from people and places that no longer serve you, you’ll always win.
Tina Turner
It’s a shame that so many turned Tina Turner’s abuse into a punchline. The truth of the matter is she endured hell in her marriage to Ike Turner. Her life and career after she found the courage to leave him truly show the power of choosing yourself, even when you don’t know how you’ll survive from day to day. Once she left Ike, not only did Tina reinvent herself musically, she found a new love, a new country and some peace.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston spent years trying to convince the public and perhaps even herself that her relationship and later marriage to Bobby Brown was rock solid. But the cracks were evident. The rumors of Brown’s infidelity were rampant. And in 2006, after nearly 15 years of marriage, Houston and Brown separated. Afterward, Houston told Oprah that the relationship was, at times, violent with Brown even spitting at her on one occasion. When it was all said and done, it seemed the two ended up on good terms. It was clear that they were better apart.
Rihanna
The relationship between Rihanna and Chris Brown was so toxic that many people remember where they were the day news of her violent attack, at the hands of Brown, hit the news. The two broke up immediately afterward. There was then some back and forth and even some subliminal messages to his on-again-off-again girlfriend Karrueche before the two ultimately called it quits. Things have been up in business, life and love ever since.
FKA Twigs
Artist FKA Twigs shocked people when she sued her ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf for sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress. She was fortunate to be able to get out and wanted to use the funds from the suit to help other domestic violence survivors.
“What I went through with Shia was the worst thing I’ve ever been through in the whole of my life,” she told “The New York Times”. “I don’t think people would ever think that it would happen to me. But I think that’s the thing. It can happen to anybody.”
Saweetie
There’s no telling how bad things got between rappers Saweetie and Quavo. But the footage of the two tussling in the elevator was more than enough for most to realize that they were better apart. In a statement about the breakup, Saweetie said, “I’ve endured too much betrayal and hurt behind the scenes for a false narrative to be circulating that degrades my character.”
Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams is a boss. She built an entire empire on her personality and the witty way she shared some of the industry’s juiciest gossip. Along the way, she met and married Kevin Hunter. While this marriage likely helped elevate Wendy’s brand in some ways, Wendy’s former colleagues have also been clear that he kept her from shining as brightly as she could, alienating people along the way. Furthermore, he was stepping out on Wendy for many years. She acknowledged as much publicly. But the affair likely never ended as Kevin welcomed a daughter with his longtime mistress Sharina Hudson in 2019. That was the final straw for Wendy and she bounced, taking much of her hard-earned money with her.
Beverly Johnson
Many people may not know or remember that supermodel Beverly Johnson dated actor Chris Noth, known for his roles on “Law and Order” and his portrayal of Big in the “Sex and the City” franchise. While the two were a Hollywood dream couple, their actual relationship was a nightmare. In 1995, after dating for five years, Johnson filed a restraining order against Noth.
“Chris Noth punched me in the chest and ribs, injuring my ribs, making it difficult to breathe, punching and bruising my face and body in which I had to have medical attention,” Page Six reported. “On July 27, 1995, he made repeated threats on my life making up to 25 calls per day threatening to kill me [and] destroy my face. Threatened to kill dog.”
Thankfully, she was granted the restraining order.
Needless to say the relationship was over.
Tina Knowles-Lawson
Ms. Tina is known for keeping things classy and above board when it comes to her ex-husband, Mathew Knowles. She hasn’t spoken explicitly about the factors that contributed to their divorce in 2011. But if you listen to Beyonce’s music, there have been clues. There’s “Ring Off,” and the comments she shared in her “Life is But a Dream” documentary. But the strongest evidence is DNA which proved that Mathew fathered two children during his marriage to Tina. Thankfully, when it was all said and done, she chose herself and then found a new love in her now-husband Richard Lawson.