10 Famous Women Prove That Our Exes Will Always Have a Place in Our Hearts

Scientists say that after a relationship is over, our brain tends to “forget the bad parts and focus on the good ones.” Because nostalgia has a way of adding sweetness to all of our memories. So, what once was a strong passion gone sour, can turn into a friendly affection with time. After all, there was a reason our heart chose that person among millions, and this kind of powerful connection can be transformed but never erased.

Bright Side believes that all of our previous relationships are precious, because they help us become the person we are today. And here are 10 Hollywood stars who are proving that their ex will always be a part of their life and identity.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck

Once one of Hollywood’s most glamorous couples, Garner and Affleck broke up in 2015 after 10 years of marriage. Right after announcing their split, the actress was asked about her relationship and she admitted, ’’I didn’t marry the big fat movie star. I married him. And I would go back and remake that decision.’’

Then Garner added that “The main thing’’ is their 3 children. Jennifer continued being completely honest about her feelings and said, ’’Sure, I lost the dream of dancing with my husband at my daughter’s wedding.’’ She then noted, ’’But you should see their faces when he walks through the door. And if you see your kids love someone so purely and wholly, then you’re going to be friends with that person.”

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

The ex-power couple had been married for 10 years when they divorced in 2014. Together, they have a twin boy and girl and even after years of being separated, their relationship is still rock solid. In fact, the singers even worked on a project together.

In 2017, Lopez revealed, ’’We are like best friends. We are making an album now. Actually, he’s helping me make my Spanish album.’’

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

The actress and the singer-songwriter met in 2002, and tied the knot a year later. The couple, who have a daughter and a son, announced their split in 2014, which Paltrow described as a “conscious uncoupling.”

However, it seems that the pair’s deep connection wasn’t really affected by the separation. When asked about her ex, the actress said, ’’He’s like my brother. He’s my family. I love him.’’ She then added, “I’m so grateful to him for giving me these kids.”

Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum

The Hollywood couple who met on the set of their movie was married for 9 years before calling it quits in 2018. A little time after announcing their separation, Dewan recalled the very start of their relationship, saying, “When we met it felt like we had known each other for many years.”

She then opened up that nothing can compromise their strong bond, noting, “Ultimately, no matter what Chan and I are doing, we’re really great friends. I think that will never change, no matter what.”

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie

The actress and ice hockey player, who are parents to a 10-year-old son, Luca, were married for 6 years before divorcing in 2016. Regarding her current relationship with her ex, Duff noted, ’’We have such a great kid, and we’re both so obsessed with him." She added, "We are good friends, and we laugh a lot, and we have great communication. We share pictures when one is not with Luca.’’

Courteney Cox and David Arquette

The actors, who met in 1996 on the set of a film, tied the knot 3 years later, and split in 2010. A few months after filing the divorce papers, Cox gushed about her ever-growing bond with her ex. She said, ’’I appreciate David more now than I ever did. He’s my best friend.’’

Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom

The model and actor were married for 3 years, and together they have a son named Flynn. They are both now married to other people, and Kerr even revealed that she is a big fan of her ex-husband’s current partner, singer Katy Perry. She playfully said, ’’It’d be safe to say that I love her more than Flynn’s dad."

The model also added that she now considers Orlando as a sibling, jokingly saying, ’’He’s, like, to me right now, a brother. And most of the time, an annoying brother."

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder

The actors, who played on-screen lovers in the series The Vampire Diaries, also dated in real-life from 2010 to 2013. In 2015, Somerhalder married actress Nikki Reed, and Dobrev revealed that she is good friends with her ex and his wife, and that they even have dinner together from time to time.

She explained, ’’I don’t think that’s weird at all. I think that’s great.’’ She then noted, ’’Why can’t everyone be friends? [....] I don’t see any problem with that.’’

Anna Faris and Chris Pratt

The Hollywood actors, who have a son together, split up in 2017 after 8 years of marriage. And even though they are no longer together, their connection stills seem to be going strong. Faris described her ex as ’’an amazing person’’ and added, “I’m really grateful that we’re so close.”

As a matter of fact, she revealed that Pratt even called her to let her know beforehand that he wants to propose to his new girlfriend, Katherine Schwarzenegger.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt

These stars were one of Hollywood’s ’’it’’ couples until their divorce in 2005. It was reported that, “They talk and have a nice, friendly, cordial relationship.” Pitt even attended his ex’s 50th birthday party in 2019. Aniston also confirmed this friendship, saying, “Brad and I are buddies, we’re friends.” She then added, ’’We speak, and there’s no oddness at all.’’

Do you feel the same way about your exes? Do you agree that we can’t completely erase our previous relationships from our heart?