Sometimes, as the public, we tend to put celebrities on pedestals—we watch their movies, listen to their music, and buy their clothing lines. We look at photos of them on vacation in Hawaii, sprinting through the surf like majestic Barbie Dolls and we sigh, wishing we could beautiful, rich, and famous.
But celebrities are not untouchable. They are not gods nor are they perfect. They are people; just like us. And holding them to unreasonably high standards for a human person just sets us (and them) up for failure.
Take everyone’s favorite celebrity couple—Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. They have an adorable son, they are both very successful in their respective careers, and they seem to have a “perfect” marriage. But anyone who has been married will assure you that there is no such thing. Marriage is an effort. All of the time. It is compromised and learning through failure. It is being able to forgive. It is always a work in progress.
Jessica and Justin have not had a smooth ride. They have hit many bumps in the road that many “normal” people can relate to. Everything is not always ponies and rainbows, even for this magnetic, celeb power couple…
15 They Are In Counseling
An insider alleges that the couple is currently seeking counseling. The trouble is paradise apparently stems from the fact that the two of them are not on the same page about having another child. The unnamed source told In Touch Weekly that, "Jessica feels that there's no rush [to have more kids]. And Justin feels like Jessica's changed their plans without notice."
Figuring out the right time to add a child to your life is tough for anyone but I imagine this is especially true with a celebrity couple. Jessica’s career is taking off right now and as we all know, the responsibility of pregnancy and caring for a young infant falls mostly on the mother. Can you blame Jessica for wanting to hold off for a couple of years?
14 Did Justin Cheat With Mila Kunis?
It is easy to forget that this celeb couple had a lot of shade thrown their way, especially in 2011 when it looked they were not going to make it. Justin had been shooting the movie “Friends With Benefits” with Mila Kunis and rumors began to swirl that their off-screen friendship was a little bit deeper than normal. The two were photographed multiple times by the paparazzi hanging out off-set and it made everyone wonder how Jessica was feeling about it.
Soon after, Timberbiel broke it off. Was it an affair that pushed the breakout? Who knows. But only a year later they had picked up the pieces and put themselves back together. On October 19th, 2012 the two were walking down the aisle and declaring their undying love for one another…
13 There Was No Kissing In The Beginning
As one can imagine with two celebs who are trying to start a relationship, it was hard for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake to even be in the same city together. When they first met Justin was on tour so most of their conversations happened via text and calls. It was not a whirlwind romance where they met and then never left each other’s sides. Their start was realistic for two busy people in the entertainment industry. Romantic? Not so much.
On James Corden’s show, Biel admitted, "We didn't kiss for a very long time because he was on tour and we were talking on the phone, like normal pre-teens do, we were just chatting on the phone for hours. So, we never really kissed for a very long time."
12 Justin Did Not Want To Get Married
It is hard to get real insight into celebrity couples because you always wonder who these “anonymous sources” are. If you’re so close to the couple than what are you doing giving quotes to the paparazzi? But the Daily Mail did not just get an interview with some random assistant who viewed Jessica and Justin from afar—they actually talked to his grandmother, Sadie Bomar.
She was quoted saying, "Jessica was keen to marry, but Justin isn't ready. He's busy writing new material and he works hard to be successful–he's really focused on that. As far as we're concerned, he's always been single. The girlfriends come and go, but we believe nothing has ever been serious. Justin does his own thing and he isn't ready to marry just yet."
11 They Fight In Public
In May of last year, the couple was seen leaving a restaurant in New York City looking less than happy with each other. Jessica walked quickly ahead of her husband and Justin was moseying behind her with his head down. The photo makes it look as if the couple has just gotten into a huge argument.
To be the devil’s advocate though, perhaps they look upset because their nanny cancelled on them and they had to leave lunch early. Or maybe it was because they saw a tweet from Trump and got all worked up discussing the fact that the President of the United States has a Twitter account at all. Or perhaps he tooted while she was trying to eat her burger and that made her angry. All are plausible…
10 Prenups Are Never Romantic
Some of you may have the misconception that a prenup really sets the tune for a good marriage, but it ain’t so. In fact, prenups can get downright nasty which does not put your best foot forward when you are looking into spending your life with someone. A prenup is basically planning out how you will divorce your partner, as you are planning your wedding to them. But it is a necessary document for many couples, especially when there is a lot of money involved for one, or both, sides.
Allegedly Jessica wanted a fidelity clause added to the prenup which insured her extra money if Justin was caught being unfaithful. While that sounds callus it is actually very common, even for people who aren’t A-list celebs. You have to protect yourself.
9 Jessica Pursued Him First
This is not your normal Disney fairy tale, folks. Jessica Biel is a modern woman and she was the one who pursued Justin Timberlake. And why shouldn’t she? You gotta take what you want in this world, girls. You can’t wait around for it to just fall into your lap!
Rumor has it that the two met at the 2007 Golden Globes and numbers were exchanged. Apparently, when Justin did not call the next day, Jessica took matters into her own hands and went to see him.
Is it called stalking if the person you are pestering likes it? I don’t think so. Justin clearly didn’t seem to take offense. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest he said, “My wife is the greatest of all time.”
Awwwwwww. Stop. Just stop.
8 Justin Misses Her Curves
“News” outlet OK! published an article that alleged that Jessica had to lose weight for her role in “The Sinner”. Their website had a source that said, “She’s been on this punishing weight loss regimen to get into character for her new series and that combined with the long work hours are taking a lot out of her. She looks so gaunt.”
According to said source, Justin was not happy with her weight loss and missed the curvier version of his wife. While this could potentially be true, OK! does not have the best track record with publishing stories that are based on fact and Justin said soon afterward, “… my wife’s new show is amazing. It’s like nothing I’ve seen her in before, and she’s incredible in the role.”
7 They Want To Live In Different Cities
Rumors started flying after the duo was photographed at the U.S. Open looking less than pleased with each other. According to the National Enquirer, a source told them that this was because they cannot agree on a city to live in. The source is quoted as saying, “Justin wants to leave New York for his hometown of Nashville. And he doesn’t like that Jess’ film projects take her away from the family for months at a time.”
With both of their rigorous schedules it is no surprise that conflicts would come up on where to settle down. And how do you choose? How do you decide whose career is more important? If Jessica is filming in LA is it really fair to move across the country? What will that do to Silas?
6 The #AwkwardParty Jessica Threw For Him
When Justin turned 30 in 2011 and it was a big deal not only for his adoring fans but also for his then-girlfriend, Jessica. Rumor has it that she threw him a lavish surprise party that turned out…a little more awkward than she had intended.
Friends of Biel said that after all of her hard work and planning, Justin seemed ungrateful for the effort. The party was spectacular and tailored just for him but he paid no attention. He partied-it-up with his friends and appeared very disrespectful towards her and other guests. She gave an impassioned speech about their love and dedication, and Justin had little to no response.
Little did Justin know that soon Jessica would be singing, “Bye, Bye, Bye”. (Guys, this is an ‘N Sync reference. Hilarious, right?)
5 She Doesn’t Like The “Family” Business
Clearly Jessica Biel fell for Justin in part because of his music, because if you are woman with a soul than you cannot help but swoon at that voice. In fact, he wrote his hit single, “Mirrors” about Jessica, which is basically the most romantic gesture that a man can make for a woman.
But Jessica apparently does not want their son, Silas, to be a part of the “family” business. In an interview with news.com.au, Biel said “I would like our baby to inherit Justin’s charm and his sense of humour. There are many qualities I’d love him to get from Justin. But there’s one thing I don’t want for him. I really don’t want him to be a musician.”
It is a tough business. But the thought of Silas’ potential talent…
4 See You In Court, Jess
Yikes. This one is real doozy. Jessica and her partners in the restaurant business are being taken to court for allegedly stealing $430k. The worst part of the accusation is that they supposedly took this money straight from employees—from their tips.
The restaurant, Au Fudge, is accused of pocketing tips from special events that should have gone straight to the employees. A former staff member explained to People, “Each of them had their gratuities wrongfully converted and were improperly denied meal and rest breaks, overtime compensation and earned wages under various illegal payroll practices. Defendants charged hundreds of thousands of dollars in gratuities to private-party customers and converted said gratuities to themselves in order to pad their own pockets and deprive plaintiffs their just compensation in violation of law."
3 Work Effects Home Life
Jessica’s hit show “The Sinner” is an amazing notch in her belt professionally, but it does not always bode well for home life. The show is a dark and morose, and though this makes it thrilling for the audience, it is difficult for the actor who is portraying such violence.
Jessica explained in an interview to People, “I do not want to bring that home. It is so intense. Thank goodness for [my family] because otherwise, I’d be a depressive mess, like a blob on the floor eating cake balls consistently.”
Being able to disentangle yourself from the role you are playing can have detrimental effects for performers. Other actors have succumbed to the personalities of the characters they are portraying and it has led to horrible events, and even suicide.
2 Justin Is A Serious Mama’s Boy
Dating a mama’s boy seems sweet in theory but in real life it can be really, truly frustrating. When you are dating a man you want to be the woman in his life. But what happens if you have to sit second chair to his mama?
Justin Timberlake has been known to take his mother to the Oscar’s, which as a mother myself makes me go, “Awwww sweet boy!” But it probably did not feel that way to Jessica, who got left behind. This was 83rd Academy Awards that took place in 2011—right before the couple officially split. Maybe it was this betrayal that finally caused Jessica to say buh bye. Or maybe it was the fact that he also presented an award with rumored lover, Mila Kunis. Who knows.
1 Two Celebs Don’t Make A Right
Being in any committed relationship can be tough, but maintaining one in the lime light…that is really tough. Especially when all sense of privacy is lost and every bump in the road is pasted on magazine covers across the world.
Jessica and Justin both have successful careers which mean that they are required to do a lot of travel. Justin has just released a new album and Jessica’s first season of the show “The Sinner” was a huge hit. Their daily lives are bombarded by interviews, tour dates, and show tapings. That does not leave a lot of time to spend with each other and work on their marriage.
Marriage in Hollywood in an elusive beast and we have seen almost all of our favorite couples break-up over the years.
Sources: People, Nickiswift, Wikipedia. The Knot News, Daily Mail, News.com/au, The Stir, In Touch Weekly, National Enquirer