When it comes to LGBTQ+ power couples, certain names immediately come to mind: Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, or Reneé Rapp and Towa Bird for all the Gen Z’ers out there. But on the flip side of that coin are famous couples you somehow forgot ever dated in the first place. To jog your memory, we’ve compiled a list of LGBTQ+ celebrity relationships that you probably haven’t thought about in years. Plus, we included all the juicy details of what went down when they broke up, ranging from “amicable” to “embarrassing” splits.
Taylor Hill / Getty Images, Victor Boyko / Getty Images
From musicians to actors to athletes, it’s all here. And some of these stories get chaotic, to say the least. If you want a quick preview of what’s to come, #11 on this list features the story of a certain American Horror Story alum and Broadway star’s five-year-long romance in the 2000s. Alright, without further ado, let’s dive right in:1. In the early ’90s, Madonna and Jenny Shimizu had a brief relationship, and while the singer never publicly discussed their time together, Jenny opened up about it in the final installment of the 2024 docuseries In Vogue: The 90s. “I mean, you’re not gonna say no to Madonna in the ’90s,” she said. “Not only was it great feeling like a high-class hooker — because really it was. You’d get a phone call like, ‘Hey, can you meet me at my Paris show. You’re in Europe, right?'” Jenny continued, “So I’d be like, ‘Yeah, I’m just finishing Prada. Right after Prada, I’ll catch a plane over.’ And I would. I’d go over to her hotel, to the Ritz, at like 4 in the morning, have sex, and then fly back to Milan.”
Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images, Rose Hartman / Getty Images
According to People, the model and actor previously said, “It wasn’t about an emotional bond, it was about taking each other to the heights of sexual ecstasy. I loved the fact that I was at this woman’s beck and call. It turned me on, being ordered to her room whenever she felt like sex.”2. Dating rumors between Miley Cyrus and Kaitlynn Carter first sparked in August 2019 after they were photographed kissing while on vacation in Italy. Their relationship followed Miley’s separation from Liam Hemsworth and Kaitlynn’s separation from Brody Jenner. A source told People at the time that the two had mutual friends in common and were “just having fun” together. On Sept. 2, another source said, “They live together and are very happy. Miley is doing great. She is moving on. She seems to have no regrets. She loves being with Kaitlynn.”
Chris Wolf / Getty Images
The singer-songwriter and The Hills: New Beginnings star reportedly split by the end of that same month, with a source telling Entertainment Tonight, “Miley and Kaitlynn are no longer together romantically. They have been there for each other through tough times recently, but decided it’s best to be friends.” On Sept. 22, a source told E! News that Miley ended the relationship with Kaitlynn because she wasn’t comfortable with things getting serious. “It went from 0 to 60, and she wanted to put on the brakes,” the source said. “It was unexpected to end things so abruptly, but it had to be done. She just got out of her marriage, and Miley felt like she and Kaitlynn got carried away.”
Related: “14 Times That Celebs Low-Key Humiliated Themselves By Starting One-Sided Beef”
3. In 1993, Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard first met while working on the film Sommersby, where Cydney was working as a production coordinator. The two began a long-term relationship, though they kept their romance out of the public eye for many years. During their time together, they welcomed two sons and were frequently seen attending public events as a family. The two reportedly split in 2008 after more than a decade together, but were committed to co-parenting their children.
On the left, Cydney poses with their son, Christopher “Kit” Bernard Foster, at the 2024 HBO & Max Post-Emmy Reception at San Vicente Bungalows in California. On the right, Jodie poses with their other son, Charles “Charlie” Bernard Foster, at the 2025 Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards) in Los Angeles.
Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images, Robyn Beck / Getty Images
Advertisement
Advertisement
While accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement during the 2013 Golden Globe Awards, Jodie seemingly confirmed their separation, saying, “I have a sudden urge to say something I’ve never really been able to say in public. A declaration that I’m a little nervous about, but, you know, loud and proud. I am single! Yes, I am, I’m kidding. I’m not really kidding, but kind of.” She also referred to Cydney in her speech as “my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in life.” She added, “Thank you, Cyd. I am so proud of our modern family. Our amazing sons, Charlie and Kit, who are my reason to breathe and to evolve, my blood and soul.”4. Kristen Stewart and St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) reportedly started dating in October 2016 after they were spotted together on multiple occasions, including holding hands while walking around New York City on Oct. 16 and attending the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards the same month. A source at the event told People that “they were inseparable and left hand-in-hand.” On Oct. 27, they made their public debut as a couple sitting in the front row at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Show at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Neither of the two has publicly commented on their relationship, but they allegedly called it quits a few months later.
Jeff Vespa / Getty Images
5. Colton Haynes and Jeff Leatham went public with their relationship on Valentine’s Day in 2017. One month later, Jeff proposed to the actor while they were on vacation in Mexico. The two got married on Oct. 27, and leading up to the wedding, they revealed that they were first set up by mutual friend Serena Williams years earlier. Colton said, “We were going to meet up for a date, but we ended up not being able to. And then years went by.” When they ran into each other at a Paris airport, Jeff said it was “love at first sight.” They ended up on the same flight, and Colton said, “We passed Post-It notes back and forth and ended up exchanging numbers. Everything started from there, and it’s been this epic romance ever since.”
Amanda Edwards / Getty Images
In April 2019, the Teen Wolf and Arrow actor deleted several photos from his Instagram account featuring him and Jeff together. He also dropped the word “husband” and his hyphenated married name, “Haynes-Leatham,” from his Instagram profile. On May 3, he released an acoustic recording of his song, “Man It Sucks,” which referenced “cheating drama.” Two days later, he denied that it was inspired by Jeff in a since-deleted social media post. “Jeff would never cheat. He’s an amazing man. Please stop being mean to him. The song I wrote was about a past relationship.”
Mark Sagliocco / Getty Images
Colton filed for divorce in Los Angeles on May 7, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the cause for their separation. Five months later, they both shared Instagram posts to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary. They both posted photos from the wedding, with Colton’s caption saying, “Can’t believe it’s already been 1 yr. since we got married @jeffleatham. Happy Anniversary my beautiful husband.”Jeff’s caption read, “I can’t remember what it was like before you, and I don’t even know how we got here but maybe that’s exactly what I needed. Someone who could make me forget where I came from and someone who could make me love without knowing how to fall. R.M. Drake – Happy Anniversary My Beautiful Husband. Life is a beautiful place with you beside me. – I LOVE YOU.” Despite speculation that they had reunited, their divorce was finalized in 2019.6. Although Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson (aka Mark Ronson’s sister) never directly spoke about their relationship, they made several public appearances together at fashion shows, parties, and double dates with their moms. During an interview in November 2008, Lindsay said, “I think it’s pretty obvious who I’m seeing. I think it’s no shock to anyone that it’s been going on for quite some time… [She’s] a wonderful person, and I love her very much.” Their on-and-off again relationship ended for good in April 2009, which is when things got heated.
Jeff Vespa / Getty Images
Advertisement
Advertisement
At the time, a source told People, “Sam’s family has made her swear that it’s really over. They are giving her all the support they can to keep her away from Lindsay.” An insider close to Samantha said, “Lindsay is going to try and twist the situation in her favor, but Sam clearly left her, not the other way around.” In the same month, Lindsay appeared on the cover of US Weekly, where she opened up about the “embarrassing split.” She alleged that Samantha hired five bodyguards to keep Lindsay away from the hotel bar where the English DJ was sitting, so the actress wouldn’t cause a scene after the two had fought.
Jeff Vespa / Getty Images
A friend of the pair said that Samantha changed the locks on her house, adding, “Lindsay moved her stuff out as much as she could. She’s basically totally out of the house as far as her stuff, and she’s not living there anymore. Lindsay was pretty devastated.” When Lindsay appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in late April, she said the breakup “came out of nowhere,” adding, “I had no idea what was going on. I just hadn’t seen her in, like, a week. She, like, disappeared.”
Related: “23 Celebs And Influencers Who Were Accused Of Massive, Massive Lies And Hoaxes”
Lindsay later said, “I think it’s been really good for me. I thought it would be so much harder, and it hasn’t been. My sister’s been here with me.” She continued, “I really care about Samantha, and we’ll see what happens. Maybe when we’re fully in the right place. And I love her.”7. In February 2023, Lukas Gage and Chris Appleton sparked dating rumors after they were photographed together on multiple outings and shared photos from a vacation in Mexico. The celebrity hairstylist confirmed they were dating a month later during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, saying, “I’m very happy. Very much in love, and I feel very grateful to be able to share my time with someone very special. Love is a really special thing, and I think meeting someone you connect with is really, really special.”
Dave Benett / Getty Images
Lukas announced via Instagram in April that he and Chris tied the knot. The wedding was officiated by Kim Kardashian, and Shania Twain serenaded them with “You’re Still the One.” A few days later, Chris shared photos of the matching “4.22” tattoos he got with Lukas in honor of their wedding date to his Instagram, along with the caption, “What happens in Vegas 🎲.” After less than a year of marriage, Chris filed for divorce from Lukas in November, citing “irreconcilable differences” and listing their date of separation as Nov. 10. The former couple reached a divorce settlement by June 2024, in which they both agreed to waive spousal support.8. Alice Walker and Tracy Chapman reportedly dated for two years in the mid-1990s, though The Color Purple author and the “Fast Car” singer largely kept their romance out of the public eye. However, during an interview with the Guardian in 2006, Alice opened up after the interviewer mentioned how people were still fascinated with their “love affair.” She said, “Yeah, I loved it too. Absolutely.” After being asked why it was kept quiet, she replied, “It was quiet to you maybe, but that’s because you didn’t live in our area.” She added, “My life is not to be somebody else’s impact — you know what I mean? And it was delicious and lovely and wonderful, and I totally enjoyed it, and I was completely in love with her, but it was not anybody’s business but ours.”
Trisha Leeper / Getty Images, Mark Sagliocco / Getty Images
During their relationship, Tracy was in her early 30s, and Alice was in her early 50s. Tracy has never personally commented on her relationship status, but in 2022, while talking with Gayle King about her memoir, Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, Alice revealed that she fell in love with Tracy because of her voice. She also discussed being bisexual, saying, “I’m someone who actually loves everybody, men and women. And it’s just the most wonderful thing.”9. Carl Nassib and Søren Dahl first sparked dating rumors in September 2022 after Carl shared a photo of them together on his Instagram stories. In 2021, Carl became the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay, but he kept his personal life out of the public eye. In January 2023, he confirmed his relationship with the Danish Olympic swimmer, posting a photo on Instagram stories showing Søren wearing his football jersey. The caption read, “Kicking off 2023 with my man and a trip to the playoffs.”
Cindy Ord / Getty Images
Advertisement
Advertisement
In January 2024, fans noticed that the two had unfollowed each other on Instagram, leading to speculation that they had split. Neither has publicly commented on their relationship.
Related: “15 Celebs Who Low-Key Look Nothing Like They Did A Few Years Ago”
10. Sarah Paulson and Cherry Jones dated from 2004 to 2009, but their relationship did not become public until the 2005 Tony Awards, when the two were seen kissing during the broadcast before Cherry stood up to accept an award. In an interview with No Tofu in 2017, Sarah opened up about the incident, saying, “She won a Tony Award, I kissed her, and all of a sudden I was outed.” She continued, “I didn’t really think about it in that way at the time — I was just doing what one would do when a person they love has just won a big fat acting prize. What am I gonna do, pat her on the back and say ‘good job, dude?’ It didn’t occur to me to do anything but what I did.”
Bruce Glikas / Getty Images
She then opened up about having anxiety in the aftermath of the incident, explaining how she was worried that “there was going to be some fallout if Aaron [Sorkin] or anyone on the show knew that I was with Cherry.” She continued, “On my very first day, when we met to do the table read for Studio 60, Aaron walked right up to me and says, ‘I didn’t know you were with Cherry Jones, that’s so wonderful. I just want you to know that you’re safe here. You never have anything to worry about. You’re safe here.’ It was the biggest exhale of my life. I didn’t realize how anxious about it I had been until he said that.”
Jemal Countess / Getty Images
In October 2009, Cherry confirmed their split to Us Weekly at the opening night of The Royal Family in New York City, saying, “We’re not together anymore, but we’re still dearest of friends.” She continued, “Sarah understood, and we talked about it. And I know enough to know that if I had said her name, the rest of the night, that’s all anybody from the press would have asked me about. I just wanted to keep it focused on my family. That’s the backstory.” Cherry added that she and Sarah are “great,” and that “it’s the happiest breakup that’s ever been. We grew so much together, and now we can send each other off with a kiss and great love.”11. Trixie Mattel and David Silver were together for eight years before publicly confirming their separation in December 2024. At the time, the two lived and worked together, but they first met in 2016 before going on their first vacation together in February of the following year. The couple kept their romance private until they starred together in the Max renovation shows Trixie Motel and Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home. “The intimate insides of our relationship is something I never really shared. Other than writing some songs about him, I didn’t really show him to people,” Trixie told People in May 2024. “And I kept it kind of private because I always sort of felt like, as a public person, my partner shouldn’t have to be subjected to being a public person.”
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images
During a 2020 interview with 48 Hills, Trixie discussed the challenges they faced as a couple due to Trixie being on tour, saying, “It sometimes puts a strain on my relationship. I love my boyfriend. He’s really my world, and he comes on tour and stays on the bus with me. But our relationship matured slowly because I spent our entire relationship touring. Especially in the formative months of our relationship, I’d be gone two months at a time, then come back, and then be gone. There was a chunk where we were starting to get serious when I did [Drag Race] All Stars and then The Trixie & Katya Show on Viceland, so I didn’t see him for four months.”
Chelsea Guglielmino / Getty Images
Advertisement
Advertisement
On Dec. 30, 2024, Trixie opened up about the split in a YouTube video, saying, “Some of you have kind of figured it out, speculated for a while, but David and I separated quite some time ago now. 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.” She explained that the split “isn’t salacious” and “just happened,” before adding, “…I got the privilege of making shows and stuff and telling you guys a really compelling love story in my life and it felt disappointing to not be able to make good on that… [I] really care about that person; I will always care about that person. 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.”12. Raven-Symoné and AzMarie Livingston started dating in 2012, and though they kept their relationship private, Raven told Oprah during a “Where Are They Now?” special that, “I’m in an amazing, happy relationship with my partner, a woman. I am proud to be who I am and what I am. I don’t want to be labeled gay. I want to be labeled a human who loves humans. I’m tired of being labeled.”
Michael Tran / Getty Images
In September 2013, the two were spotted at Ludacris’s Labor Day charity event in Atlanta, Georgia, and they also both guest-starred on the FOX series Empire. The two reportedly split in October 2015.13. Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels publicly confirmed their relationship in 2001, got engaged in 2003, and held a commitment ceremony in Malibu in September of the same year. Three years later, the couple welcomed twins born via an anonymous sperm donor. In April 2010, a representative for Melissa confirmed that the couple had separated. Three months later, Melissa filed to dissolve their domestic partnership, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for joint custody of the twins. On July 3, Tammy Lynn shared on her blog that she was “blindsided” by the split, saying, “Gentle waves/ no noise for a while/ or maybe gentle voices/and SMACK!!!!! FILE FOR DIVORCE!!!”
Paul Mounce – Corbis / Getty Images
She continued, “Even though we both promised, agreed, handshook, pinkyswore/no filing until after tour/in the fall. Her broken promises told to me by headlines….could you stop blind sighting me?/ Have a good concert.” On July 6, Tammy Lynn asked for sole custody of the kids and spousal support. In April of 2012, Tammy Lynn filed a settlement brief stating that she couldn’t live off the monthly support payments she received from Melissa. Then, Melissa filed a brief accusing Michaels of trying to “dial down” her time with their kids. By May 2012, they reached a formal settlement agreement that included joint physical and legal custody of their children.14. Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef made their red carpet debut in April 2016 at the amfAR Inspiration Gala in Brazil, and seven months later, Ricky appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he announced their engagement and shared how he met the painter in 2015. “[Yosef] is a conceptual artist and I’m a collector, so I started looking for art, and I saw his art and I went crazy because I really love what he does… [And] I contacted him.” He continued, “I had no idea what he looked like, and then I saw what he looked like, and I [was] like… yeah.” He told Andy Cohen in 2017 that they ended up talking for six months after that.
Gisela Schober / Getty Images
Related: “David Harbour’s Ex, Alison Sudol, Subtly Hyped Up Lily Allen’s New Album”
Ricky talked about the first time they met in person during an interview with Hello! magazine in 2020, saying, “When I met my husband, I saw him and said, ‘I’m going to get married.’ During the ‘Hello, pleasure to meet you,’ I thought, ‘This is the love of my life.’” While talking with My Kali Mag in 2021, Jwan said that Ricky reaching out to him on Instagram was “like a modern-day Jane Austen story in a way,” adding that once they met, “It was like meeting a soulmate.” In April 2016, Martin announced their engagement during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, saying he had proposed to Yosef. They had a private wedding ceremony in 2017 and later welcomed two children together.
Paul Morigi / Getty Images
Advertisement
Advertisement
In July 2023, the two released a joint statement announcing their divorce after six years of marriage. “We have decided to end our marriage with love, respect, and dignity for our children and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all these wonderful years,” the former couple stated. “Our greatest desire now is to continue having a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on peace and friendship to continue the joint upbringing of our children, preserving the respect and love we have for each other.”15. Jane Lynch and Lara Embry started dating in 2009 after meeting at a fundraising event in San Francisco. They got engaged the following year and married on Memorial Day in 2010 in an intimate ceremony in Massachusetts. In June 2013, the actor released a statement that said, “Lara and I have decided to end our marriage. This has been a difficult decision for us as we care very deeply about one another. We ask for privacy as we deal with this family matter.” Their divorce was finalized in October 2014, and Jane agreed to pay Lara $1.2 million over two years. Lara would also receive half of Lynch’s residuals from Glee, Two and a Half Men, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and other shows.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
16. Billy Porter and Adam Smith first met in 2009 at a dinner party, and they dated for about a year before breaking up. However, they got back together five years later. Billy proposed in December 2016, and they had a private wedding ceremony on Jan. 14, 2017. The same year, Billy opened up to People about why getting married was an important milestone for him, saying, “We both grew up in households where who we are is labeled an ‘abomination.’ The thought of marriage, there was no context for it — there was no dreaming about it because there was no context to dream; it was unspoken and very clear that the sanctity of marriage was not for us.”
Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images
He added, “I didn’t think I needed it. I lived with this idea that it just wasn’t for us. So when we went to get our marriage license the other day, the act of that was so powerful in a way that crept up on the both of us, and it just grounded that moment.” In July 2023, Billy’s rep, Simon Halls, shared a statement that said, “I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years. The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter. There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected.”17. In September 2022, JoJo Siwa soft-launched her relationship with Avery Cyrus via a TikTok video that showed JoJo kissing Avery while posing for photos in a photo booth at Chuck E. Cheese. They made their red carpet debut two days later at the opening night of Jagged Little Pill at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. On Oct. 9, Avery posted a YouTube video of her officially asking JoJo to be her girlfriend while they were on a trip to Disney World, to which JoJo replied, “Yes! Finally!” In the video, Avery says, “We’re girlfriends now. I’m so happy you said yes.”
Michael Buckner / Getty Images
The TikTok star revealed on Dec. 17 that the two had split in a comment on a video that included a clip of JoJo telling Avery, “This is my sorry for breaking up with you present.” One of the comments on the video read, “Now I just want to know why,” to which Cyrus responded: “We decided that we are better off as friends! We are both so young and still just trying to figure our stuff out.”18. And finally, Antoni Porowski and Trace Lehnhoff started dating in the summer of 2018, and they made their red carpet debut in December of the same year at GQ’s Men of the Year party in Los Angeles. Days later, Antoni confirmed his relationship with the Flipping Out star via Instagram, sharing a photo of the two holding hands, along with the caption, “11 is my favorite prime number.” During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in March 2019, Antoni revealed that their relationship started in their direct messages. “We met on Instagram,” Antoni said, adding, “It’s, like, the 2019 way.”
Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images
Advertisement
Advertisement
In August 2019, the two reportedly broke up, with a source close to the Queer Eye alum saying, “The relationship ran its course,” and that “things just didn’t work out and [Antoni] is concentrating on work.” In an interview following the split, Antoni said, “I’m single now, and it’s been a good opportunity to connect with friends.” He continued, “Being able to be free and have fun with friends is the ultimate luxury these days.”So, were you surprised by any of the stories behind these LGBTQ+ celebrity couples? Tell us about it in the comments!Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed’s posts celebrating Pride 2026.
BuzzFeed
Your daily brain workout: Most People Can’t Finish This Weekend Mega Word Chain — Can You?
Also in Celebrity: “11 Shocking Old Hollywood Child Star Secrets That Change Everything”
Also in Celebrity: “How Many Of These 27 Gen Z Celebrities Can You Identify?”
Read it on BuzzFeed.com