Attention all This Is Us fans: Justin Hartley is single once again. Hartley, who plays Kevin Pearson on the critically-acclaimed drama series, filed for divorce from his wife, Chrishell, on November 22nd. But here's the thing...they've apparently been separated for a lot longer than that, despite being at numerous events together.
Justin and Chrishell were set up by a friend and confirmed they were dating in January of 2014. They got engaged in 2016 and tied the knot in 2017. The couple seemed like they were over-the-moon happy, constantly complimenting each other. They weren't in a rush to start a family, but Chrishell said that didn't matter.
“We don’t know [when we'll have kids] yet,” she admitted at the time. “I have a stepdaughter (Justin has a daughter), so we’ve got our hands full with high school.”
She also joked that it was a good thing that Justin wasn't like his TV character, an alcoholic actor with commitment issues.
“Thank God because he wouldn’t be a very good husband,” she said. “There’s parts of Kevin that are good, but I don’t think I’d want to be married to him, you know? So luckily, Kevin gets all of his charm, but I get both. I also get the good husband’s side. So I win!”
Justin filed for divorce and claimed "irreconcilable differences," and the case is listed as “dissolution without minor children.” The entire thing felt like it came from out of the blue, because just last week the couple was together at a Golden Globes party. Chrishell posted pictures of them together saying:
"Amazing time with this group last night at the @hollywoodreporter @moetchandon Golden Globe party! It’s a crime that instagram made me crop in because @laurenelizabethash legs need to be in these pics-she was on fire last night! 🔥 @sullivangrams will spice up any photo booth! 🙌🏽 And swipe to see me & @justinhartley awkward prom photo! HA 😆🤣😆🤣💗"
However, according to documents obtained by TMZ, Justin listed the couple's date of separation as July 8th. He also notes that he doesn't want to pay spousal support, plus he wants Chrishell to pay her own lawyer's fees. It's not clear if they have a prenup, but that might explain the "no spousal support" thing.
It's not really clear what happened, or why the couple has been attending public events since July even though they were separated. On July 21, Justin posted a sweet message to his wife on her birthday.
"Let’s all wish this young gem of a human a very happy birthday! To many more years of love and laughs!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY @chrishellhartley !!!!!!! !!!!!!!"
On September 23, Chrishell attended the Emmy Awards with Justin, and posted pictures of them saying "Well #ThisIsUs didn’t take home the trophy but I am taking him home so looks like I am the big winner tonight! I now also win the cheesy caption award if there is an award for that-double winner! 😜😜 (Sorry guys, they serve alcohol here) 🤪😆🙌🏽💗"
And just a week after their supposed separation date, Chrishell posted a picture of Justin as her "Man-candy Monday" on Instagram.
"Happy #MCM with a little help from @justinhartley 🥰#areyoukiddingme"
A source close to the couple told People that it's possible Justin's fame from This is Us could play a role in their split.
“In many ways, they’re somewhat fundamentally incompatible,” the source said. “Chrishell is really ready to just settle down and be a wife and stay-at-home mom and was hoping to start a family relatively soon. Justin wants that but also doesn’t think it has to happen in the near future and is at a point in his career where he wants to really be able to explore all the options that are coming his way. He’s reached a new level of fame thanks to the show and he doesn’t want to close many doors right now, and that’s not the path Chrishell is looking to take. She thought babies would happen soon after they got married, but it just hasn’t worked out.”
I'm sure more news about the split will come out soon, but hopefully things don't take an ugly turn. Clearly these two still care about each other and it would be awful if things started to get nasty.