Cheating happens — up to 25 percent of married men and 11 percent of married women will cheat at some point in their lives, according to Psychology Today. And when it does, there’s no single right or wrong way to handle it. While an affair sends many couples straight to the divorce lawyer, some can work through the issues and come out, perhaps stronger, on the other side. And others move on barely acknowledging what’s happened, at least not in public.
If you’re facing an infidelity issue, perhaps you can turn to these celebrity couples who survived the worst kind of cheating scandals — the ones everyone knows about.
Beyonce and Jay-Z
Jay-Z, left, and Beyonce attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” on May 5, 2014, in New York. Evan Agostini / AP Photo
This one has played out in Billboard-charting singles. We know about “Becky with the good hair” from Beyonce’s “Lemonade” and the aftermath of cheating from Jay-Z’s “4:44” — the album but specifically the apologetic single, named because, as he told IHeartRadio, “I woke up, literally, at 4:44 in the morning, 4:44 a.m., to write this song.”
The lyrics say, “I apologize because at your best you are love and because I fall short of what I say I’m all about.”
Jay-Z on dealing with the aftermath of cheating: “You know, most people walk away, and like divorce rate is like 50 percent or something ’cause most people can’t see themselves. The hardest thing is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused, and then have to deal with yourself.”
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott
In this April 26, 2010, photo, Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott pose together during the NBC Universal 2010 Summer Press Day in Pasadena, Calif. Chris Pizzello / AP Photo
Dean McDermott publicly admitted to having an affair in 2014 — and then he and Tori Spelling dealt with the aftermath in the reality show “True Tori.” Reportedly, they’re now celebrating couples counseling to help strengthen their marriage, even after five kids.
Dean McDermott looking back on his affair: “What we went through publicly, I learned a lot, I wouldn’t do it again, and at the end of the day, we’re together, we’re happy and we’re working on our relationship, and we have a beautiful family and a beautiful life.”
Tori Spelling on rekindling their marriage after the birth of their fifth child: “I feel like Beau is really the pillar of the rebirth of our relationship because our relationship had to crumble for it to be rebuilt, and it was really important that we just start it over.”
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne, left, kisses his wife Sharon during the “Ozzfest Meets Knotfest” news conference at the Hollywood Palladium on May 12, 2016, in Los Angeles. Chris Pizzello / AP Photo
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne have been married for more than 30 years, despite Ozzy admitting to cheating with six different women. He entered therapy for sex addiction in 2016, and the couple has since renewed their vows. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2022.
Sharon Osbourne on getting back together: “I forgive. It’s going to take a long time to trust, but we’ve been together 36 years, 34 of marriage. I just can’t think of my life without him.”
Ozzy Osbourne on feeling regret: “I am mortified at what my behavior has done to my family. I thank God that my incredible wife is at my side to support me.”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
Sarah Jessica Parker, left, and Matthew Broderick attend the Broadway opening night of “Hamilton” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Aug. 6, 2015, in New York. Charles Sykes / AP Photo
Long-time couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick typically sidestep the limelight and keep their private life, well, private. When rumors of Broderick’s affair circled in 2008, their response wasn’t so shocking: no comment.
Sarah Jessica Parker on keeping their relationship private: “So, when our marriage came up in conversation, it wouldn’t occur to us that we were obligated to respond to allegations or gossip. You have to be a bit circumspect, but you also have to take up a position, and you have to stick to it.”
Kobe and Vanessa Laine Bryant
Kobe Bryant, winner of the award for best animated short for “Dear Basketball,” right, and Vanessa Laine Bryant attend the Governors Ball after the Oscars on March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Eric Jamison / AP Photo
In 2003, Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault by a hotel worker in Colorado — and admitted to an affair, but not assault. (The case was settled out of court.) Then, in 2011, rumors of dozens of other affairs hit headlines. After Vanessa Laine Bryant filed for divorce that year, the couple reconciled and were together until Kobe’s tragic death in 2020.
Kobe Bryant, admitting to adultery (but not sexual assault): “I sit here in front of you guys furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making the mistake of adultery. I love my wife with all my heart. She’s my backbone.”
Vanessa Laine Bryant in a statement after his cheating: “I know that my husband has made a mistake — the mistake of adultery. He and I will have to deal with that within our marriage, and we will do so. He is not a criminal.”
David Letterman and Regina Lasko
David Letterman and his wife, Regina Lasko, arrive at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 20th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor presented to David Letterman on Oct. 22, 2017, in Washington. Owen Sweeney / AP Photo
During a taping of the “The Late Show” in 2009, David Letterman admitted to having an affair with members of his staff — and to being blackmailed for it. (It was later revealed that he was involved with his assistant, Stephanie Birkitt.) Letterman was so distraught by the entire incident that he spiraled into a deep depression, but his marriage to Regina Lasko has remained intact.
David Letterman talking to Jay-Z about having an affair: “A few years ago, I got myself into some trouble, and the situation was my responsibility and my fault. I did something that I had no business doing, and I regret it, and since then, I have tried to acknowledge that mistake and be a better person.”
Victoria and David Beckham
David Beckham, left, and his wife Victoria arrive at an event to celebrate the launch of the Adidas Originals by Originals David Beckham clothing line designed by James Bond, in Los Angeles, on Sept. 30, 2009. Chris Pizzello / AP Photo
The Beckhams have sustained numerous cheating rumors over the course of their almost 20-year marriage. David Beckham with his assistant, Rebecca Loos. With a model. With the nanny. With a schoolteacher. Why do the rumors never die?
One writer in Refinery29 suggests it’s because we secretly wish for the break-up of the last great A-list couple. “Perhaps this fascination with the state of Victoria and David Beckham’s marriage comes from the need to humanize what has previously been a perfect, untouchable entity,” she writes.
David Beckham on one of the cheating scandals reported in 2004: “During the past few months, I have become accustomed to reading more and more ludicrous stories about my private life … The simple truth is that I am very happily married. I have a wonderful wife and two very special kids. There is nothing any third party can do to change these facts.”
David Beckham on what truly keeps the marriage together: “Do we stay together because it is a brand? Of course not. We stay together because we love each other and because we have four amazing children.”
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
NBA basketball player Dwyane Wade, left, and Gabrielle Union arrive at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater on July 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Jordan Strauss / AP Photo
Right before actor Gabrielle Union and NBA player Dwyane Wade wed in 2014, news broke that he had fathered a “break baby” with another woman.
Dwyane Wade on his love for his soon-to-be-wife: “My life mistakes gave me you, and my life mistakes almost made me lose you, but your love has conquered all, and I hope to spend the rest of my life with you”
Gabrielle Union on bouncing back after the affair: “I believe in full disclosure. No weird secrets. Let the chips fall where they may.”
Camille and Bill Cosby
In this Nov. 6, 2014, file photo, entertainer Bill Cosby, left, and his wife, Camille, laugh as they tell a story about collecting one of the pieces in the upcoming exhibit, “Conversations: African and African-American Artworks in Dialogue” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in Washington. Evan Vucci / AP Photo
Long before Bill Cosby became inmate NN7687 at a state prison in Pennsylvania, guilty of sexual assault, rumors about his extramarital affairs plagued his 50-plus-year marriage to Camille Cosby, dating back to at least the 1970s. To date, the Cosbys remain married — although rumors of divorce swirl. We’re confused as to why anyone would stay married to a convicted sex offender, but some people take “until death do us part” more literally than others.
Camille Cosby to Oprah on staying together after being “selfish”: “You cleanse yourself of all of that baggage, and you look at each other and determine whether the relationship is worth salvaging, whether you really love each other and want to be together.”
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are seen outside Craig’s Restaurant in the West Hollywood area of Los Angeles. AP Photo
Cheating rumors have long plagued Khloe Kardashian and basketball player Tristan Thompson — the most famous of which swirled right before the birth of their daughter, True, in April 2018.
Cheating rumors and conflict have plagued the pair for years. They’ve had an on again off again relationship from the start, and as of 2023, it’s off. Still, they coparent amicably and remain friends. According to one source, Thompson would happily resume their relationship if Kardashian would have him.
Khloe Kardashian on enduring a cheating scandal in the spotlight: “It’s so much harder to deal with it when it’s so public. Everyone is giving you their opinions and their input and their unsolicited advice. Even the nurses and the doctors — everyone kind of like, looking sideways at the whole situation. That’s hard, and it’s humiliating.”
Magic and Cookie Johnson
Retired professional basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr., left, and his wife Cookie Johnson, right, attend the Ebony Power 100 Gala on Nov. 4, 2013 in New York. Andy Kropa / AP Photo
When Magic Johnson announced he was HIV positive, in 1991, the subtext was pretty clear — he had cheated on his wife, Cookie, whom he met as a college freshman. They had married earlier that year, and Cookie was pregnant with their son, E.J., at the time. (Neither Cookie nor E.J. contracted HIV.)
Despite the cheating and the HIV diagnosis, the couple has remained together.
Magic Johnson on telling Cookie he had HIV: “The hardest thing I had to do is drive home and tell her I had HIV.”
Cookie Johnson on finding out about Magic’s HIV status: “I didn’t have time to get mad about whatever happened, you know, or start asking questions. [My mind] went to ‘He is possibly going to die.’”
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott
Travis Scott, left, and Kylie Jenner arrive at the 61st annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. Jordan Strauss / AP Photo
Sometimes a cheating scandal is a scandal, and sometimes it’s something more. In December 2018, a YouTube star, Christian Adam G, posted a video meant to expose Travis Scott cheating on Kylie Jenner — except that it was a total hoax.
The couple are parents to a daughter, Stormi, born in February 2018, and Aire Webster, born in February 2022. While the pair never married and appear to be separated as of 2023, it wasn’t because of infidelity.
Kylie Jenner on the hoax: “Idk if this is really a social experiment to some people, but you’re messing with real people, real relationships, real family. I’m happy my relationship is strong because this is getting out of hand. The internet scares me sometimes for real.”
Travis Scott on the hoax: “Trolls working hard today … Me and my wifey sturdy. Back to celebrating!!! Only got love for my wife. No time to be wasting. Think again.”
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie
Laura Louie, left, and Woody Harrelson arrive at the Oscars on March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Jordan Strauss / AP Photo
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie’s relationship goes back more than 30 years when they first met in 1987, and Louie was working as Harrelson’s assistant. While the two married in 2008 after already having three kids together in 1993, 1996 and 2006, their relationship wasn’t without its ups and downs.
One such instance was Harrelson’s reported foursome in 2002. Unfortunately for the actor, one of the three female participants worked for the paparazzi, and the story quickly broke.
Woody Harrelson on Laura finding out: “Laura — this really gives you a sense of the depth of her compassion — what she said to me after finding out was, ‘That must be really hard for you, to have this exposed.’ She just said that. Now that doesn’t mean she wasn’t upset. How did I apologize? You know, just your standard Texan grovel. But she forgave me, and we’re still together.”
David Boreanaz and Jaime Bergman
David Boreanaz, left, and Jaime Bergman arrive at the People’s Choice Awards on Jan. 11, 2012 in Los Angeles. Matt Sayles / AP Photo
“Bones” star David Boreanaz married actress Jaime Bergman in 2001. In 2010, with Jaime by his side, he openly admitted to having an affair, after allegedly being extorted for six figures.
(The purported mistress, Rachel Uchitel, was also involved with Tiger Woods during his marriage.)
David Boreanaz coming clean: “I haven’t been faithful to my wife. Our marriage has been tainted with my infidelities. I was irresponsible.”
Jaime Bergman on the other factors that hurt their marriage: “As much as David should have never gone outside the marriage, there was neglect on my part. It took a crisis.”
Snoop Dogg and Shante Broadus
Rapper Snoop Dogg, right, kisses Shante Broadus following a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. Willy Sanjuan / AP Photo
Rapper Snoop Dogg (a.k.a. Calvin Broadus) married his highschool sweetheart, Shante, in 1997. They filed for divorce in 2004, after Snoop Dogg’s stint as a pimp, but mended their relationship — and even renewed their vows in 2008.
Though cheating rumors still dog them now — most recently, with Celina Powell, who notoriously faked a pregnancy with rapper Offset, while he was married to Cardi B — the couple remains together.
Snoop Dogg admitting his affairs: “I cheated on her. That’s the worst thing you could possibly do — lose somebody’s trust who really loves you.”
Snoop Dogg on his wife’s commitment to their marriage: “My wife had to take a backseat to this s—. And I love her to this day because she coulda shook out on a n—, but she stayed in my corner. So, when I decided to let it go, she was still there.”
Snoop Dogg on choosing to stay together: “I fell back in love with my wife and kids. A lot of times you get cloudy.This music industry is a mother, man, and it’ll take your vision and blur it. But I need my wife and my kids in my life. So, if you hear about divorce, it’ll be my wife divorcing me. It won’t be me divorcing her.”
Kevin Hart and Eniko Parrish
Eniko Parrish, left, and Kevin Hart arrive at the Guys Choice Awards at Sony Pictures Studios on June 7, 2014, in Culver City, Calif. Richard Shotwell / AP PhotoInvision / AP
Comedian Kevin Hart married Eniko Parrish in 2016, after being together for years. In 2017, Hart publicly admitted to having cheated on Parrish when she was eight months pregnant — after being pressured by someone who was trying to extort him with video footage of the incident.
Parrish gave birth to their son, and the couple remain together to this day.
Kevin Hart taking responsibility for cheating: “That’s Kevin Hart in his dumbest moment. That’s not the finest hour of my life. With that being said, you make your bed, you lay in it.”
Kevin Hart on moving beyond the affair: “Our marriage has been put to the test. It’s the most difficult test ever. And, you know, sometimes those tests come from stupidity. But it’s how you handle it and how you decide to move forward from it. I applaud my wife for just displaying a high level of strength that I can’t even explain. I applaud her for being my backbone, my support system and, more importantly, taking my life to the next level.”
Balthazar Getty and Rosetta Millington
Actor Balthazar Getty, right, and his wife Rosetta Millington Getty arrive at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in Los Angeles on June 11, 2011. Dan Steinberg / AP Photo
Interestingly enough, Sienna Miller, went on to participate in her own affair that almost ruined another marriage. “Brothers and Sisters” star Balthazar Getty and Miller were photographed in 2008 kissing on a hotel balcony in Italy. Needless to say, Getty’s wife of eight years (at the time), fashion designer Rosetta Millington, was not happy about it.
Eventually, Millington forgave him, and the duo, who share four children together, consider it to have made their marriage stronger.
Balthazar Getty on overcoming infidelity: “Without going down, you can’t rise again.”
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson, left, and Kristen Stewart arrive at the premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” on June 24, 2010, in Los Angeles. Matt Sayles / AP Photo
In 2012, with “Twilight” mania in full tilt, photos of Kristen Stewart kissing director Rupert Sanders, while she was together with Robert Pattinson, dominated headlines. Stewart and Pattinson remained together until breaking up for good a year or so later.
Kristen Stewart on their on-again, off-again relationship after the affair: “I’m going to just let people watch whatever little movie they think our lives are. Keep ’em guessing, I always say.”
Robert Pattinson on the benefit of hindsight: “S— happens, you know? It’s just young people … it’s normal! And honestly, who gives a s—?”
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck
Actor Ben Affleck and wife actress Jennifer Garner attend the 2nd Annual Save the Children Illumination Gala at The Plaza Hotel on Nov. 19, 2014, in New York. Evan Agostini / AP Photo
In 2015, after 10 years of marriage, one of Hollywood’s power couples — Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck — announced they were separating. Although Affleck’s affair with their 28-year-old nanny made headlines, it wasn’t the reason the marriage fell apart. They had apparently been in couple’s therapy for years.
Even after announcing their separation, the duo lived in the same house, taking turns as they co-parented their three children. It wasn’t until April 2017 that they finally filed for divorce and Affleck moved out of their home.
Jennifer Garner on the affair: “Let me just tell you something. We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny. She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce.”
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian attend the opening of Ryu. Dennis Van Tine / AP Photo
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick had three children together before they officially split in 2015, after years of breaking up and getting back together, not just over accusations of Disick’s cheating but also his substance abuse.
Though they have since dated other people, Kardashian and Disick still travel and actively co-parent together.
Scott Disick on being separated: “I don’t think anything is ever simple. I’m not the first person in the world that has gotten separated from their significant other … We’re just trying to make the best of it and life goes on. Things aren’t easy, but things are going very well. I’m just happy that we are able to be on good terms.”
Kourtney Kardashian on co-parenting after a break-up: “I feel like I can show a message, too, of like parents can get along and work together and we travel together and, you know, it’s like I think it’s a good message to show other people. I’m not doing it for that reason, but I think the positive things we are doing, I think is nice, too.”
Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley
Hugh Grant, left, and Elizabeth Hurley arrive at the New York premiere of “Mickey Blue Eyes,” starring Grant and Jeanne Tripplehorn, on Aug. 11, 1999. Dave Allocca / AP Photo
In 1995, when Hugh Grant was arrested for having sex in public with a prostitute, his then-girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley stood by him. They broke up years later, but remain very close friends. Now, Grant appears to be happily married to Anna Eberstein, with whom he tied the not in 2018.
Hugh Grant on coming clean to Elizabeth Hurley: “You know in life what’s a good thing to do and a bad thing to do. I did a bad thing.”
Hugh Grant on infidelity in other cultures: “I always admire the French and the Italians who are very devoted to their marriages. They take them extremely seriously, but it is understood that there might be other visitors at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. You just never boast about [it]. They never say anything, but that’s what keeps marriages together.”
