Inside Chrishell Stause and Justin Hartley's tempestuous divorce that shattered 'Selling Sunset' costars
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It has been a few years since 'Selling Sunset' star Chrishell Stause and 'This is Us' actor Justin Hartley ended their marriage, with their divorce being finalized over three years ago. The split was quite public, happening while Chrishell was filming 'Selling Sunset' Season 1.
Chrishell's co-star Mary Fitzgerald stated that she was "heartbroken" after her split from Justin but she handled the situation 'like a champ.' Mary was a constant source of support for Chrishell during the challenging time and stood by her side both on social media and during interviews.
“Chrishell was blindsided, and she was put in a very difficult position, and she chose to share it with everybody because it is a reality show and you know, follows our lives. So I thought she was extremely strong, and she was vulnerable to everything. I thought she handled it like a champ," Mary told Us Weekly.
Mary went on to say, “She took very little time off. I know she was just heartbroken, but she was always positive. She never talked bad about him. She never did anything. I think she couldn’t have handled it [better]. She never played the victim ever. I think she always finds the good in everything.”
In May 2021, Justin surprised everyone by making his red carpet debut at the MTV Movie & TV Awards with actress Sofia Pernas, revealing that they had secretly tied the knot two months before. Although the couple had only been dating publicly for five months, they decided to take the plunge.
In May 2022, Chrishell shared during the 'Selling Sunset' Season 5 reunion that she was in a relationship with Australian singer G-Flip. Their romance quickly blossomed, leading to a small wedding ceremony in Las Vegas a year later. Let's take a look back at the ups and downs of Justin and Chrishell's relationship.
How did Chrishell Stause and Justin Hartley meet?
Chrishell Stause and Justin Hartley crossed paths for the first time in October 2013 and they instantly felt a strong connection. Despite having briefly met before, it was a formal introduction by one of Stause's co-stars on 'Days of Our Lives' that truly ignited their romance.
The soap opera actors found themselves drawn to each other from the moment they laid eyes on one another, leading to the beginning of a beautiful love story.
While having a chat with People magazine, Chrishell spilled the beans on the pair's first meeting and said, "The next day, I texted my friend: 'I found him.' "
Hartley expressed the same sentiment, noting that the pair connected at a concert and engaged in deep conversation that lasted throughout the entire night.
"I drove her home and called the next day. We haven't been apart since. I knew right away [and] was like, 'Oh boy, here we go,' "he recalled.
In July 2016, Chrishell and Justin took their relationship to the next level by getting engaged. Hartley proposed to Stause towards the end of July that year.
Fast forward to October 2017, and the couple officially became husband and wife. On the fourth anniversary of their initial date, Hartley and Stause said their 'I Do' in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. Surrounded by 75 of their closest loved ones, the couple exchanged their heartfelt vows.
Why did Justin Hartley file for divorce from Chrishell Stause?
In November 2019, Justin Hartley filed for divorce from his wife Chrishell Stause, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason behind their split. The unexpected news came as a shock to fans, especially since the couple had been seen attending public events together, such as the Emmys in September and a pre-Golden Globes party just a week before the divorce filing.
Despite appearing united in public, it seems that behind closed doors, their relationship had reached a breaking point. Hartley listed their date of separation as July 8, 2019, leaving many wondering what led to the sudden dissolution of their marriage.
The reason behind their breakup remains somewhat enigmatic. Evidently, the couple was facing challenges, although it was not perceived as severe enough to lead to a divorce.
At that time, a source told Us Weekly, "Justin had been having problems with the marriage for a while. The divorce filing was a big surprise to everyone around Justin and Chrishell in terms of their friends."
During 'Selling Sunset' Season 3 reunion, Chrishell said, "I’m just kind of in shock with it all. It’s just a lot all at once because everybody in the whole world knows. I love him so much. This was my best friend. Who do I talk to now?”
Later on, an insider disclosed to People magazine that the reason behind the couple's potential split may stem from their differing perspectives on starting a family. According to the source, Chrishell was eager to embrace the roles of a wife and mother, whereas Justin's priorities seemed to be more centered on advancing his career.
In Episode 6 of 'Selling Sunset' Season 3, Chrishell told her Mary Fitzgerald that Justin broke up with her by sending her a text message. Then, she said, "I found out because he texted me that we were filed. Forty-five minutes later, the world knew."
Chrishell was completely caught off guard by the unexpected text message that she received. She was taken by surprise and felt blindsided by Justin. The pair's divorce was finalized in February 2021.
'Selling Sunset' star Chrishell Stause sold her wedding ring from ex-husband Justin Hartley
In a shocking revelation during her appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' in April 2022, Chrishell Stause disclosed that she made the decision to sell the wedding ring she received from her ex-husband Justin Hartley.
The 'All My Children' actress confessed that she needed the funds to contribute towards purchasing her new home. This unexpected revelation sparked a wave of speculation and discussion among fans about Stause's financial situation and the aftermath of her divorce from Hartley.
In response to Kelly Clarkson's inquiry about whether the decision to make the move was therapeutic, Stause humorously said, "When sometimes life gives you lemons, sometimes you've gotta add a little vodka."
'Selling Sunset' star Chrishell Stause dishes on divorce from Justin Hartley, says 'always keep some independence in a relationship'
During a guest appearance on the 'Richer Lives podcast', Chrishell Stause, alongside Vivian Tu and host Brian Walsh, delved into the financial lessons she gleaned from her past marriage to Justin Hartley.
Reflecting on her experiences, Chrishell emphasized the significance of maintaining individual financial independence, even when sharing finances with a partner. She discussed the importance of retaining autonomy in financial matters, regardless of the stage of the relationship, as a fundamental lesson learned from her previous marriage.
“Personally, I think that you should always keep some independence in a relationship because… you never know,” she said.
The Netflix star added, "So as someone that speaks from experience, I say, always keep some independence. But when it comes to down the line and raising children, I'm sure that conversation will change.”