Breakups

Famed author Nicholas Sparks has separated from his wife after 25 years of marriage.

"The Notebook" author told People, "This is, of course, not a decision we've made lightly. We remain close friends with deep respect for each other and love for our children."

The Sparks have 3 sons and twin daughters, between the ages of 12 and 23.

The language, "we remain close friends" sounds like more than a separation.

We checked and so far there's no evidence anyone has filed legal docs to end the marriage.

Lil Wayne's baby mama Toya Wright is about to be single once again ... because TMZ has learned she's separated from music producer hubby Memphitz ... and they're now living 2,500 miles apart.

According to our sources, Wright (who has a kid with former husband Lil Wayne) and Memphitz have been having big problems ... Memphitz recently moved to LA, leaving her behind in ATL.

We're told Memphitz -- who appeared with Toya on the BET reality show "Toya: A Family Affair" -- no longer wanted to be part of a "celebrity marriage." For him, it's now all about career.

The couple has been married since 2011. Neither side has filed for divorce yet ... but we're told Memphitz will let Toya file the papers. He's made it clear ... reconciliation is NOT in the cards.

As for rumors Memphitz knocked another woman up, not so ... apparently he had a vasectomy years ago.

The more you know.

Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy gave everyone a big fat clue about their relationship status ... by doing something a freshly broken up couple doesn't do ... grocery shopping.

It sure looked like they had broken up last month ... Matt seemed downright giddy about being single. But things took a dramatic turn Sunday at a Brentwood supermarket, when the 2 shopped together, loaded their groceries in the same car and drove off.

It could be a co-parenting thing -- they have a 3-year-old son together -- but a shopping trip sure seems super domestic.

There were reports Hudson was hanging with "Dancing with the Stars" star Derek Hough ... but lately it seems it's all about Kate and Matt. They were in Aspen together over the holidays with their son.

Either the holidays have rekindled that flame ... or they found a REALLY good deal on macaroni and cheese.

Slash's rock and roll fortune could soon be sliced in half ... TMZ has learned he didn't have a prenup and his wife is gunning for half.

Sources close to Perla Ferrar tell us she's already hired a lawyer to figure out exactly how much money Slash has earned since their 2001 marriage. The lawyer and at least one pencil pusher are assessing real property, album sales and other assets.

Perla never knew specifics ... but she believes he's made 10s of millions of dollars since they married, and she's entitled to 50%.

She can't touch the G-N-R loot pre-marriage -- which is enormous -- but her claim is anything but chump change.

Slash has released 5 albums since they wed, including one with his band Velvet Revolver that went double platinum.

As we previously reported ... Slash filed for divorce last week, but that doesn't mean the fat lady has sung. He did the same thing in 2010 and withdrew his petition 2 months later.

We're told this time around Perla believes Slash has moved on -- he's already dating someone and has destroyed any chance of a reconciliation.

The list of celebrities who filed for divorce last month is a mile long and at the bottom of that list ... is Angel McCord ... because hers was one of the last we uncovered.

McCord, best known for being the sister of AnnaLynne McCord, was only married to hubby Brett Donowho for four months before separating in September.

According to court docs, Donowho filed the divorce papers on December 11 and since they were together so briefly, with no kids ... this one should be settled quickly.

Grab your scorecards -- Chris Rock, Jeremy Renner, Giada de Laurentiis, Slash, Elon Musk and even John Schneider all got their 2014 divorces in just under the wire -- days, in some cases hours, before New Year's Day.

Jennifer Lopez hasn't been Jennifer Lopez for a long time, but she's Jennifer Lopez again. We'll explain.

It turns out ... JLo legally changed her name to Jennifer Muñiz when she married Marc Anthony (his real name is Marco Muñiz) and she never changed it back. The couple filed for divorce in April 2012, but it didn't become official until June 2014.

And JLo remained Muñiz until December 31, when court docs show her name legally reverted back to Jennifer Lopez.

Nikki Reed will be living on her own -- now that her divorce from ex "American Idol" contestant Paul McDonald is finalized -- but she'll still have a guard dog by her side.

According to the final judgment in their split ... the biggest asset Paul's leaving the marriage with is the couple's Nashville home. Which is nice ... Music City for the music guy. Makes sense.

Nikki, on the other hand ... gets THREE other homes AND their "security dog" -- a German Shepherd named Enzo.

In the docs, Paul and Nikki agreed to waive off any spousal support.

One last thing ... cars. Nikki gets THREE of 'em -- a Range Rover, a Toyota Tundra, and a Toyota Rav4. The docs make no mention of a vehicle for Paul.

Good news for Uber.

Slash jumped the deadline issued by his wife, Perla and pulled the trigger on divorcing her ... TMZ has learned.

Slash filed divorce docs in L.A. on Tuesday ... citing irreconcilable differences. He lists their date of separation as June 15th, and is requesting joint physical and legal custody of their boys ... 12-year-old London and 10-year-old Cash.

They've been married since Oct. 2001.

TMZ broke the story ... Perla flew to Hawaii -- with their sons -- on Sunday night and told the guitar god he had until New Year's Day to clean up his issues.

Slash also filed divorce docs in 2010, but withdrew his petition two months later when he and Perla worked things out.

Lightning rarely strikes twice.

Jordin Sparks sent a clear message to her ex, Jason Derulo -- take your Beemer and shove it ... 'cause I just bought my OWN new wheels. new 4X4 to help get over the rocky split.

Last Christmas -- when they were still banging -- Derulo santa'd up and gave Sparks a flashy BMW ... complete with bows. But Jordin just went out and scooped up a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited for her 25th b-day.

And just to make sure everyone got the diss -- she also deleted Derulo's gift her from Instagram. She's said in interviews she would give it back.

The only remaining question: what does she do with all those big ass bows?

Chris Rock filed for divorce from his wife of 19 years for one simple reason ... he wasn't happy in the marriage, sources directly connected to the couple tell TMZ.

One source says this will be a "simple divorce" and that there is no third party involved -- Chris just did not want to continue in a marriage that was not fulfilling.

Although our sources say the divorce won't be contentious ... obviously there is some bad blood. As TMZ previously reported ... Rock complained Malaak has been preventing him from seeing their 2 daughters -- and he is asking for shared legal and physical custody.

Malaak issued a statement making it seem like they jointly came to the decision to split -- but Chris' people fired back ... making it clear HE was the one who filed for divorce.

Slash's marriage is on the rocks -- TMZ has learned his wife has hightailed it out of L.A. and is already saying they're separated.

Sources close to the couple tell us Perla unexpectedly flew to Hawaii over the weekend with their 2 boys, and threw down a deadline of sorts -- telling Slash they need to work out their issues by New Year's or else.

It's unclear exactly what the issues are -- they've had plenty of blowups during 13 years of marriage -- but one source says ... "this time it's different." Although Perla is telling friends this a separation, we're told she hasn't filed legally.

We called Slash's reps -- they haven't gotten back to us -- but TMZ broke the story back in 2010, when Slash filed divorce docs ... only to withdraw the petition 2 months later.

We're told no one's mentioned the 'D' word this time around ... not yet. That could be especially messy since Perla is Slash's manager and runs all of his companies.

Welcome to the jungle.

The timer has gone off on the marriage between TV chef Giada de Laurentiis and her fashion designer husband Todd Thompson.

Giada -- who's been with Thompson since 2003 -- announced their split with a flowery Facebook post that makes it sound like this will be the most amicable break-up ever. In her post, Giada says they're moving forward separately, but doing what's best for their "family's happiness."

Giada and Todd have a 6-year-old daughter, Jade Marie.

No word on if either has filed divorce papers yet. They first separated back in July.

Chris Rock wants to make sure his now estranged wife doesn't punish him for divorcing her ... by keeping their kids away from him.

In his divorce docs, filed in NJ last Tuesday -- and obtained by TMZ -- Rock complains that Malaak has been preventing him from seeing their 2 daughters on a regular basis. He is asking for shared legal and physical custody of 12-year-old Lola and 10-year-old Zahra.

As for finances ... Rock acknowledges they had a prenup when they married in 1996 -- but says it's expired because they've been together for just over 18 years.

The split has been in the works for at least a month. In the docs, Rock says back in November they identified all the community property to be split up once they divorce.

Interestingly ... Rock points out Malaak has the "ability to work and contribute to her own support" -- which sounds like he's angling to reduce any spousal support payments.

Robin Thicke and Paula Patton spent Christmas Eve partying together -- and even though they're not reuniting -- based on pics from the bash ... some of her family wishes they would.

Robin looked like the most popular guy at the holiday fest thrown at Paula's house -- and her cousin posted photos of the singer all buddy-buddy with everyone in the fam. Except Paula.

A source close to Robin tells us it was totally normal for Paula to invite Robin because of their kid, Julian. But c'mon -- look at the photos -- it's not normal for her family to show him so much love.

Chris Rock's marriage is kaput -- he's filed to divorce his wife of nearly 20 years.

Malaak Compton-Rock released a statement Sunday to People saying, "After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways."

She adds, "While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority."

Chris' lawyer confirmed he's already filed docs. TMZ broke the story ... back in 2006 Chris had divorce papers drawn up, but never filed once he and Malaak worked things out.

The 49-year-old comedian and his wife got married in 1996. They have two daughters -- 12-year-old Lola Simone and 10-year-old Zahra Savannah.

Chris Brown has gone from venomously putting Karrueche Tran on blast ... to giving her what looks like a small diamond mine.

Karrueche coyly posted the pic of her latest acquisitions ... courtesy of CB.

She's not saying if either is an engagement ring, but it's doubtful given that it's on the wrong hand.

It's certainly a major about face ... we spotted them the other night leaving Playhouse nightclub in Hollywood, the first time they've been publicly seen since their nuclear breakup.

Looks like he also gave her a pooch.