By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:20am PDT, Aug 23, 2018
Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at the stars who found love, suffered heartbreak or experienced some other major event in their love lives in mid-August 2018, starting with Ben Affleck. Days before estranged wife Jennifer Garner drove him to rehab, the "Justice League" star got tongues wagging after he was spotted on a dinner date with Playboy's Miss May 2018, Shauna Sexton, at Nobu in Malibu on Aug. 16. Three days later, the Oscar winner and the 22-year-old model, who also works as a vet tech, were photographed in his Range Rover picking up Jack in the Box from a drive-thru in Los Angeles. The duo were also seen heading into Ben's L.A. home, where Shauna's car was still parked the following morning — indicating that she spent the night. According to X17online, a day before the fast-food dinner date, Ben's longtime girlfriend, Lindsay Shookus, left his $350,000 Bentley, which she'd been driving, in a Santa Monica parking garage with the keys in it and left in a friend's ride. The next day, Ben's assistant picked up the car and brought it back to the actor-director's home. On Aug. 17, Page Six reported that friends were under the impression Ben and Lindsay — who hadn't been seen together in public since late July even though she's been working in L.A. — called it quits. "If your boyfriend is seen with a Playboy model out in public at dinner, then I'd say Ben and Lindsay have been split for a while," said an insider. On Aug. 20, E! News reported that the couple actually broke up two or three weeks ago. "They are still very amicable and have stayed friends," a source said. "They both tried to make it work, but the distance just proved to be too much for them right now. Family comes first for them both." Another E! source explained that Lindsay's choice to stay in New York City instead of moving in with her beau in Los Angeles played a major part in their decision to call it quits. X17online, meanwhile, reported that Ben's addiction issues were to blame: "Lindsay got fed up with dealing with Ben's issues, and ultimately that's what led to the end of the relationship," said a source. Keep reading for more of the week's biggest celeb love life updates…
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Hours before Ben Affleck's estranged wife, Jennifer Garner, drove him to a rehab facility on Aug. 22, E! News reported that the actress was "not surprised in the least bit" by his rebound romance with a much-younger Playboy model. "[She] thinks it's sad and pathetic," said a source. "Yes, it's disappointing, but it's nothing new. This is what he does and has always done." An Us Weekly source echoed the sentiment: "Of course she's not pleased he's dating a 22-year-old Playboy model. … But she's also not surprised. Jen has come to expect this from Ben." But x17online reported on Aug. 20 that Jen is just "thrilled" that Ben and Lindsay Shookus have thrown in the towel. Said a source, "She would rather he be with anyone but Lindsay, since she was the mistress that broke up their marriage. Of course, she thinks it's childish and ridiculous that he's going after a Playboy model half his age, but she'll take it. Jen's worst fear was Ben popping the question to Lindsay and having another baby, so she's relieved she doesn't have to worry about that anymore." But Jen clearly had other more pressing fears considering she helped Ben check into a treatment facility on Aug. 22.
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Halsey and G-Eazy sparked reconciliation rumors when they were caught on camera walking hand-in-hand and hopping into the same car at at 4:40 a.m. following Travis Scott's MTV VMAs afterparty in New York City on Aug. 21. The "Bad at Love" singer announced in early July that they'd called it quits after less than a year of dating. A source told E! News that the former couple have "been in touch since their split" and are "working on their relationship." Said the insider, "They consider each other family and are on good terms now, but not fully back together. … They knew they were both going to be out and about after the VMAs and it was planned to meet up after they made the rounds at the VMAs afterparties. … They wanted to do their own things during the night and didn't want to cause too much of a commotion by them being together, but left hand in hand after the Post Malone party at Avenue and went back to G-Eazy's hotel to continue the night. They are being casual right now, but are definitely working on things. They are both hoping they can have a healthy friendship, if anything."
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Hilary Swank and her love of about two years, social venture entrepreneur Philip Schneider, tied the knot in a grove of redwoods at the Saint Lucia Preserve in Carmel, California, on Aug. 18. Mariska Hargitay served as the maid of honor, and Emmy Rossum was also among the guests at the nuptials, during which the bride donned an Elie Saab wedding gown. At the reception, for which Hilary changed into a Maria Grazia Chiuri creation, the newlyweds performed a surprise tap dance to Moby's "In My Heart."
On Aug. 20, Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson sparked speculation that they'd already secretly tied the knot when the "Saturday Night Live" star sported a beaded bracelet featuring the initials "AGD" — as in "Ariana Grande-Davidson — during the MTV VMAs, which also marked their red carpet debut as a couple. Three days earlier, the singer said during an interview with Apple Music's Beats 1 station that she plans to change her last name to Grande-Davidson after she and Pete make it official. She also said that the duo plan to wed sometime between five months and five years from now. But when Michael Strahan asked for clarification on the timeline as part of an Aug. 22 interview for "Good Morning America," Ariana said that her wedding is "not soon soon" but that "it's going to be like, next year." Said the singer-actress, "We're going to take our time to plan it. … We've been, like, planning and my friends and I, my mom and everybody, have been brainstorming and sharing ideas and stuff, and it's really fun. I work so much. I've never spent this much time or energy planning something personal that feeds my soul so much and my heart. I'm going to cry. I'm so excited. It's sick. It's really fun." When asked how she knew Pete was the one, Ariana said, "I mean, it's just like a feeling, you know? … You just feel it, you know? … He just ticks every box and just gets better every day, and I'm very grateful for him. Life is beautiful." Continued the singer, "We're so annoying, huh? … It must be the worst [to watch]. It must be the worst!"
In other Pariana news, during an interview with GQ that hit the Internet on Aug. 16, Pete Davidson said it was love at first sight for him and fiancée Ariana Grande. "The day I met her, I was like, 'Hey, I'll marry you tomorrow,'" he said. "She was calling my bluff. I sent her a picture [of engagement rings]. I was like, 'Do you like any of these?' She was like, 'Those are my favorite ones,' and I was like, 'Sick.'" Said Pete later in the interview, "The universe works in weird ways. … All I know is that I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
After introducing their families, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra made their engagement official with a traditional roka ceremony at the "Quantico" alum's home in Mumbai on Aug. 18. That same day, the singer-actor shared a photo of himself and his bride-to-be on Instagram, along with the caption, "Future Mrs. Jonas. My heart. My love." Priyanka shared the same shot with the caption, "Taken.. With all my heart and soul." She also shared a slideshow of photos from the roka ceremony along with the caption, "The only way to do this… with Family and God. Thank you all for your wishes and blessings." Nick posted the same photos in a slideshow of his own, captioning the pictures, "Prayer, family and loved ones as the foundation to this new chapter."
Miranda Lambert's boyfriend, Turnpike Troubadours frontman Evan Felker, has finalized his divorce from Staci Nelson, to whom he was married when he reportedly fell for the country star, People magazine reported on Aug. 17. "Staci feels free and relieved," said a source.
Dominic Cooper and Gemma Chan sparked romance rumors after the "Stratton" co-stars were photographed looking cozy during a night out with friends in Formentera, Spain, on Aug. 20. "He and Gemma looked as though they were having a great time — laughing loudly and cuddling up while taking pictures," an onlooker told The Sun. Two days later, the duo were seen loading their luggage into the same car outside a hotel — this time without their posse of pals.
Naomi Campbell and David Blaine (pictured in 2002) sparked romance rumors when they were caught on camera canoodling on a yacht in the south of France on Aug. 21. But TMZ reported the following day that the super-comfortable-together pair are "not dating" and have just "been friends for 20-plus years."
Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves — who are currently starring in "Destination Wedding," their fourth film together — revealed their mutual crushes on each other during an interview with "Entertainment Tonight" on Aug. 18. "I had a pretty big healthy crush on him," said the actress of meeting her frequent co-star in the late '80s. "I had a big, healthy crush on you too," chimed in Keanu. When asked what happened to their crushes, Winona said hers is "still raging." Added the former star of "The Matrix," "They're still there." The "Stranger Things" star then said she's "convinced" that she and Keanu "really did get married" while shooting 1992's "Dracula" because they filmed with "a real Romanian priest" who officiated en entire wedding ceremony for them so that filmmakers could pick and choose which parts of the scene they wanted to use for the movie. As for the prospect of tying the knot in real life, "It would be nice," said the actor, prompting an agreement from his co-star. Neither Winona nor Keanu have ever been married in real life … aside from on the set of "Dracula."
2Chainz and longtime love Kesha Ward tied the knot at the Versace Mansion in Miami on Aug. 18. On hand during the nuptials were Kanye West and wife Kim Kardashian West, Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Pusha T and … a white tiger. The rapper popped the question (for the second time) during the 2018 Met Gala in New York City on May 7. He previously proposed during the 2013 BET Awards.
Dina Manzo and David Cantin are engaged, the former star of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" revealed during an Aug. 22 appearance on "Jeff Lewis Live," a show on Andy Cohen's SiriusXM Radio Andy station. "We've always been engaged," she said. "We got engaged once, early in our relationship, and then we both realized it was way too early. And then we got engaged again last year." The reality star added that their upcoming nuptials will be "small" and that the public will "learn about it after" the fact. According to Us Weekly, Jeff noticed that the duo were wearing "really nice rings" on their wedding fingers during their visit to his studio — implying that they'd already secretly tied the knot. But Dina didn't take the bait, saying instead, "We are committed."
After recently teasing (in the third person) in a Bravo video that "she's in love, she has a guy and she is not dating — it's exclusive," Cynthia Bailey revealed that the man she said she thinks could be "the one" is Fox Sports host Mike Hill. The duo made their relationship social-media official on Aug. 21 when the broadcaster shared a selfie with the star of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" on Instagram. "If you appreciate HER be man enough to admit it. @cynthiabailey10 Thanks for making this trip and my life special," he wrote in the caption.
Nicollette Sheridan's divorce from actor Aaron Phypers has been finalized, TMZ reported on Aug. 21. She'll reportedly keep the home in Hidden Hills, California, that they shared, as well as a horse named Leo, while he's holding onto his personal belongings and any bank accounts and cars under his name. Neither party will pay spousal support. The actress filed for divorce in mid-2016 after just six months of marriage. Aaron moved on with Denise Richards in mid-2017. They're still going strong.
According to an Aug. 22 report in Us Weekly, Bethenny Frankel and off-and-on love Dennis Shields were trying to make it work when he died of a suspected opioid overdose in his New York City apartment on Aug. 10. According to a source, the duo "were writing lists of what needed to change to improve their relationship" around the time that the businessman died. "Bethenny was hopeful. She was so in love with Dennis and wanted to be with him," said the insider.
Jack Osbourne and Lisa Stelly have settled their divorce just three months after the mother of three filed to end their marriage of five and a half years, TMZ reported on Aug. 16, noting that according to sources, the reality star gave his ex a "sizable cash payout" in lieu of spousal support. He's also reportedly paying "significant child support" and will have joint custody of their three daughters. According to the webloid, "Jack is covering private schools, medical costs and pretty much every other expense." Though they've settled, the divorce won't be official until November — six months after Lisa filed her divorce petition in May.
Claire Holt and real estate executive Andrew Joblon tied the knot on Aug. 18. The former star of "The Originals" announced their engagement in December 2017, just months after her first husband, Matthew Kaplan, filed for divorce on April 27, the day before what would've been their first anniversary.
On the Aug. 16 episode of her "Off the Vine" podcast, Kaitlyn Bristowe shot down rumors that she and Shawn Booth called it quits three years after getting engaged on Season 11 of "The Bachelorette." Said the bride-to-be, "Shawn and I are 110 percent committed to each other and, yes, we are still together." She explained that they're simply spending some time apart for now because she goes back to Canada to be with her family every August and he can't be with her this year because he just bought a gym. "We are both so busy and unfortunately that means we're spending all of this time apart," she said. "If you've ever been a person who is running a successful brand or business and a person who is doing the same but in a different career path you know times can be tough. You are both always away. You're exhausted at the end of the day. Sometimes the relationship isn't being put first. But does that mean you call it quits? No. You love the s— out of each other and you work through it — and yourselves to be better. And you know that times aren't always going to be smooth sailing. … You just have to get through those hurdles and enjoy the good times." Kaitlyn added that she wasn't aware of the fact that she hasn't been wearing her engagement ring or liking the personal trainer's Instagram posts.
In other Bachelor Nation news: Lauren Bushnell and Devin Antin called it quits after more than a year of dating, multiple sources confirmed to Us Weekly as part of an Aug. 20 report.
Future took to his Instagram Story on Aug. 21 to profess his love for on-again girlfriend Brittni Mealy, the mother of his 5-year-old son, Prince. "Love you forever," he says after kissing her on the cheek. "This is my queen, my everything, right here," he adds. There have been reports that the rapper impregnated Joie Chavis during a period of rekindled romance with Brittni.
Jay Mohr and Nikki Cox officially ended their marriage on Aug. 14, but according to TMZ, the terms of their settlement are being kept under wraps. The "Jerry Maguire" actor first filed for divorce in July 2016. At the time, he alleged that the actress was an unfit mother and had drug issues. But just days after he filed to end their marriage, Jay called it off, telling TMZ that he and Nikki were "very in love, very happy and that's really all there is." He filed for divorce again in December 2016 — and again alleged that his wife had a drug problem. Both times, the funnyman requested sole custody of their son.
SisQo and Elizabeth Pham tied the knot in a traditional Catholic ceremony in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 17. The "Thong Song" singer's Dru Hill band mates were on hand during the intimate nuptials. SisQo told Us Weekly in July that he and his new wife have "known each other for like, a long time" and dated "on and off for a while … maybe 15 years." He popped the question in 2014 following the birth of their daughter, KoKo. They also have a son, Ryu. (SisQo has another daughter from a previous relationship.)
Afshan Azad, who starred as Padma Patil in the "Harry Potter" franchise, married Nabil Kazi at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, England, on Aug. 19. "Harry Potter" co-stars Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) and Katie Leung (Cho Chang) were both on hand during the Western-style nuptials, which followed a traditional Bangladeshi wedding ceremony on Aug. 12.
Former NBA star Matt Barnes is expecting a baby with Beverly Johnson's daughter Anansa Sims, TMZ reported on Aug. 20. It's unclear when the duo started seeing each other, though a source told the webloid it's "a good pairing." "She's just really sweet and brings out the best in him," added the insider.
TMZ reported on Aug. 20 that a judge ruled Lisa Marie Presley doesn't have to pay her estranged husband, Michael Lockwood, spousal support due to the postnuptial agreement they signed in 2007, a year after they tied the knot. (Michael claimed that he didn't read the postnup before signing it on the advice of his attorney.) The former couple have been duking it out in court since Elvis Presley's daughter filed for divorce in mid-2016. In February, the court ordered Lisa to pay her ex $100K for attorney fees, but she's claimed that she's actually $16 million in debt.
Though there were reports in May that he'd already started looking for love on Raya, a dating app for the rich and famous, David Charvet says he isn't ready to date yet following his breakup from Brooke Burke after seven years of marriage. "I'm not focused on dating. I'm kind of focusing a lot on work and my children and making sure that everybody's good," he told Us Weekly on Aug. 15. "School's starting next week, so we're getting ready for that. I'm not as great with homework, but I'm really good with taking them to school and being there for them." The French singer-actor-turned-real estate mogul added of the son and daughter he shares with his estranged missus, "The kids are doing good. … It's been an interesting year, but a good one." As for his relationship with Brooke, who filed for divorce in April, "We're all good," said David.
Michelle Williams recently revealed on her Instagram Story that she and her fiancé, Chad Johnson, are abstaining from sex until marriage. The singer broached the topic while discussing the Destiny's Child song "Cater 2 U." Michelle wrote that she rolled her eyes when the track started playing while she and the pastor/life coach were out to eat one night "because he's waiting on the first and second verse to be fulfilled one day." She added that the lyric "When you come home late tap me on my shoulder / I'll roll over" was "Kelly [Rowland]'s promise, not mine!" Continued Michelle, "My aunt said 'don't make promises you can't keep!' … Sorry Chad!! … I know that I NOW have a man worthy of those first two verses in 'Cater To You.' I was so over the foolishness back then and I was like 'I'll just let you know you're a good man without all the extra and I'll always have your back!'" She concluded by saying that she and Chad are "waiting until marriage for some of those wishes and desires to happen."
Toni Braxton explained why she and Birdman have yet to set a wedding date — despite getting engaged in late 2017 — in a clip from "Braxton Family Values" that Essence published exclusively on Aug. 16. "B and I got engaged seven months ago, but we haven't set a date because of my schedule," she said. "I hate that. You're supposed to set a date and stick to it. But unfortunately in our business it can be challenging sometimes."
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright had their engagement party at the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon, California, on Aug. 21. Lala Kent, Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, Katie Maloney-Schwartz, Stassi Schroeder, Ariana Madix, Kristen Doute, Scheana Marie and more co-stars and pals were on hand during the bash, which Bravo cameras recorded for an upcoming episode of their show "Vanderpump Rules." An Us Weekly source called the party a "joyful celebration of Jax and Brittany," who both donned white for the occasion. "Enchanted engagement of my dreams!! I woke up feeling SO loved and SO lucky. Last night was MAGICAL and I am so blessed to have so many amazing loved ones to share these moments with," the bride-to-be captioned an Instagram photo of herself and her fiancé during the event.
Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are getting serious. The duo vacationed together in the model's hometown of Budapest, Hungary, where they attended the Sziget music festival in mid-August. A fan who spotted the pair during a night out at a bar in Budapest told E! News that Dylan and Barbara "were with friends but you could definitely tell they were coupled up." Though they've yet to officially confirm their relationship status, the twosome have been spending an awful lot of time together since July.
Though there were reports in June that Tessa Thompson and Janelle Monae are more than friends, the "Thor: Ragnarok" star said she doesn't "have time to date" during an interview with The Cut that hit the Internet on Aug. 19. "Dating right now requires that somebody gets on a plane, which is fine, but that's a lot to ask when you're first [getting to know each other]," she said, adding that "it's a lot of expectation" when travel is involved. As for the status of her relationship with the "Make Me Feel" singer, Tessa gave this non-answer: "The truth is Janelle and I are both in a space where we're trying to push boundaries in terms of the idea of what space a woman of color can occupy," she said, adding that she and Janelle both "believe fiercely that people should be free to love who they love" but aren't interested in "super-binary conversations" about "identity or sexuality." Continued the "Creed" actress, "In our friendship we celebrate that we're like-minded in that space too." OK then!
Lindsey Vonn is still friendly with ex-boyfriend Tiger Woods, she told "Extra" on Aug. 20. "I support him. We're friends. We congratulate each other," she said, adding that "it's really nice to see him playing so well again." The Olympic skier also gushed about her new boyfriend, NHL player P.K. Subban (pictured): "He's just an amazing guy. He's really upbeat and spontaneous, and I'm more serious, so we balance each other out really well," she said. Lindsey explained that she met P.K. at the ESPYs while she was "taken" by another man. Once she was single again, he pursued her hard, she said: "He got my number and was very persistent. … He came to visit me on Christmas Day. That was the first time I spent really good time with him. … He went in the lion's den and met my whole family."
Iggy Azalea addressed persistent rumors that she and "Kream" collaborator Tyga are more than friends during an Aug. 21 interview for the BUILD Series: "We have a great time together," she said. "I really enjoyed our vibe in the studio. We stayed in there enough [time] that people thought we had some sort of romance going on. I hope do to more collaborations with him. I think we work and our energies and sound kind of work. It's a platonic chemistry."
