Things don’t work out sometimes, and that’s okay!
(L-R) David Silver and Trixie Mattel; John Gaines and Victoria Monét; Søren Dahl and Carl Nassib.Instagram (@trixiemattel); Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Instagram (@carlnassib)
2023 was a landmark year for celebrity breakups! While we’re hoping that 2024 won’t be plagued with so many unfortunate updates, it’s important to acknowledge that some couples go their separate ways for totally valid reasons. If a relationship is no longer working, then it’s probably for the best that these individuals have chosen to split.
When it comes to married couples, the process of getting a divorce isn’t usually fun… oh, at all. A regular breakup isn’t thrilling, either, as people can end a relationship with their hearts broken. Nonetheless, we do hope that these LGBTQ+ celebrity couples ended things on a healthy note and can now pursue happiness as single individuals.
Scroll through to find out which LGBTQ+ couples have broken up, split, or gotten a divorce in 2024.
Sir Ian McKellen & Oscar Conlon-Morrey
In February 2024, The Daily Mail reported on Sir Ian McKellen’s split from boyfriend Oscar Conlon-Morrey after a year together. The publication reported that McKellen, age 84, and Conlon-Morrey, age 30, allegedly had plans to get engaged. However, the couple has now seemingly parted ways.
Carl Nassib & Søren Dahl
Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Throughout January and February of 2024, various reports had been popping up about how Carl Nassib and Søren Dahl have seemingly broken up. They stopped following each other on social media, erased nearly all of their pictures together from Instagram, and are no longer sharing new posts as a couple.
The National Football League (NFL) star and Olympic swimmer hard-launched their relationship in September 2022. But even though neither of them has shared an official statement confirming this breakup, they’ve both moved on as individuals and are no longer publicly attached as boyfriends.
Mary Lambert & Wyatt Paige Hermansen
In January, Mary Lambert revealed that she and Wyatt Paige Hermansen had been undergoing a “joyful separation.”
“Though there is a significant pain and hurt, we are in agreement that it’s the most loving decision for both of us,” Lambert wrote in an Instagram post. “In October, I learned that Wyatt stepped out of the marriage and caused additional damage in the following months. They have some intense work and self-reflection to do, and they will need to do that work without me. Love is magic and transformative, but it can’t always fix the big stuff.”
Jinkx Monsoon & Michael Abbott
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
As reported by Out‘s sister publication PRIDE, Jinkx Monsoon and Michael Abbott are currently in the process of separating. In February, Abbott shared the following announcement via Instagram:
“With a heavy heart, I share that Jinkx and I have chosen to part ways. In this extremely challenging time, I want to emphasize my deep gratitude to Jinkx for the shared moments, love, and growth we experienced together. As we begin the intricate process of untangling our lives, I carry a profound appreciation for the positive impact Jinkx has had on my journey.”
Abbott concluded, “Friends and followers — your understanding and respect for our privacy are valued more than words can express. Thank you for your empathy and support during this difficult chapter.”
Nearah Nuff & Jakob Schiffner
The makeover challenge of Canada’s Drag Race season 4 saw the queens transform their loved ones into drag queens. During the episode, fans were introduced to Nearah Nuff’s fiancé, Jakob Schiffner, who was turned into the drag persona known as Buffy Nuff. During an interview with Out‘s sister publication, PRIDE, from January 2024, Jakob revealed that he had been with Nearah for three years.
Unfortunately, on May 16, Nearah shared an Instagram post announcing that she and Jakob had officially broken up and called off their engagement. The Canada’s Drag Race finalist wrote:
“After a very difficult decision, Jakob and I have chosen to separate. At this time, we would appreciate if you would all respect our space and privacy on this matter. I also would request that you not ask me about the situation/what happened as it is difficult for me to discuss. I appreciate you all for understanding this.”
Jakob’s former Instagram page, @nearahsmuscle, has been deactivated. He’s now found on Instagram via @theschiffdog.
Victoria Monét & John Gaines
Bisexual Grammy winner Victoria Monét and her partner, John Gaines, announced their split in a statement shared via social media.
Monét and Gaines had been dating for several years. In 2020, Monét announced that she was expecting their first child, who was born in February 2021.
“We spent the last 10 months trying to respectfully and privately navigate the fact that we are no longer in a relationship,” the X post announcement reads. “Though we still completely adore and respect each other, we are not a couple anymore. “There was no infidelity, toxic behavior nor drama. We both just have some fundamental growing to do that would be best done apart so we can remain the best versions of ourselves for our daughter. It simply didn’t work out and that’s okay.”
Tommy Dorfman & Elise
The 13 Reasons Why star and her wife have seemingly split after around a year of marriage. In May of 2024, Dorfman announced through Vogue Weddings that she had married a woman named Elise in a ceremony the previous fall.
Alas, in December 2024, Dorfman suggested that she and Elise might’ve split up in a new Instagram post where she writes about going through “heartbreak,” relying on her friends “after one of the hardest weeks of my life” and living alone with her dog Fiona.
Trixie Mattel & David Silver
December 2024 also included a surprising announcement from RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Trixie Mattel that she and her longtime partner David Silver had officially gone their separate ways.
Trixie and David, who reportedly started dating in 2016 (via People), have now been split up for some time.
“The other thing I had to tell you guys about… it’s not like my favorite thing to bring up, but some of you have kind of figured it out and speculated for a while. David and I separated quite some time ago now,” Mattel said in a new YouTube video. “And it feels like you people who know me — but don’t really know me in real life — are the last people to know about it. Everybody in my world has known about it for quite some time.”
“I will always care about that person,” Trixie added. “I love our motel. I love all of our business ventures. Being creative together, with him, was especially one of the heights of my life. You know, all my exes, everybody I’ve ever been with, [they don’t] really leave my orbit. I really, still always care about these people… and, like I said, it’s not fresh information.”
