Last Friday, the tabloids were rife with rumours that Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore and her art consultant husband, Will Kopelman were separating. A day later, Barrymore and Kopelman confirmed their intention to divorce in a joint statement to People magazine. The couple married in a Jewish ceremony in 2012 and have two daughters together, aged three and one. In their announcement, Barrymore and Kopelman stressed that, despite their split, they remain kindred through their children:
“Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family…Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority”
In the statement, the former couple also addressed the stigma surrounding divorce, yet shared a positive outlook for the future:
“Divorce might make one feel like a failure, but eventually you start to find grace in the idea that life goes on.”
This will be Barrymore’s third divorce, following a five-month-long marriage to MTV comedian and her Charlie’s Angels co-star Tom Green in 2001 and a 1994 union with L.A. bar owner Jeremy Thomas, which lasted just 19 days. Numerous news outlets have speculated on the causes of Barrymore and Kopelman’s split, including an unnamed source in Page Six, who claims that a tumultuous youth spent the spotlight could have had ramifications in terms of Barrymore’s adult relationships:
“Drew had a very rebellious and wild childhood, with no family around her…some of that can stay with you.”
Other sources attributed the marital breakdown to “friction over where to base their young family”, with Barrymore keen to spend more time in Hollywood, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Whilst there’s no word yet on the Barrymore and Kopelman’s intended child custody arrangements, the former couple’s public announcement indicates that both are committed.
“Ayesha Vardag - Britain’s top divorce lawyer.”
“Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year”
“Leading, Magic Circle law firm.”
Mr Justice Coleridge
“A handful of firms dominate the so-called ‘glamour’ end of the market ... Vardags”
The Times
“One of the best divorce lawyers in the country”
Marie Claire
“Ayesha Vardag - ‘diva of divorce’ for the world’s super rich”
“Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius.”
Lewis Marks KC
“Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce”
Daily Mail
“Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory”