In the world of Hollywood romance, some breakups dominate headlines and get talked about for years—think Brad and Angelina or Kim and Kanye.
But then there are the others: the shockers, the blink-and-you-missed-it relationships, and the low-key splits that somehow faded into the background despite once being major moments in pop culture.
These are the surprising and forgotten celebrity breakups—relationships that were once red-hot and highly publicized but somehow got lost in the shuffle of newer romances and fresher scandals.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the most unexpected, under-the-radar, or completely forgotten celebrity breakups.
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams
If you lived through the early 2000s, you remember how obsessed the world was with The Notebook. When fans found out Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were dating in real life, it felt like Hollywood magic.
The pair started dating after filming the movie, even though they reportedly didn’t get along during production.
Their real-life romance lasted from 2005 to 2007 and included red carpet moments and public declarations of love. Gosling once said McAdams was “one of the great loves” of his life.
But despite their strong chemistry, they quietly split—and many fans still wish they’d reunited.
Chris Evans and Jessica Biel
Before Captain America and before Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel dated Chris Evans for about five years. Yes—five years. The two began dating in 2001 and kept things relatively private despite their A-list status.
In interviews, they talked about marriage and even starting a family. But by 2006, the relationship ended with little fanfare. Biel moved on with Timberlake (whom she later married), and Evans went on to date Minka Kelly and Lily James, among others.
Looking back, it’s shocking that two major stars dated so long and yet flew under the radar.
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling
Yes, you read that right—Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling dated! This is one of the most forgotten pairings in Hollywood history. The two met while filming Murder by Numbers in 2001. Despite a 16-year age difference, they dated for about a year.
At the time, their relationship was scrutinized heavily because of the age gap, but both stars kept things quiet. Gosling would later refer to Bullock (and Rachel McAdams) as two of the greatest girlfriends he ever had. But somehow, the world has largely erased this relationship from the celebrity dating archive.
Britney Spears and Colin Farrell
In 2003, pop princess Britney Spears and bad boy actor Colin Farrell shocked everyone when they appeared at the premiere of his movie The Recruit—together. They posed on the red carpet holding hands and making out in front of photographers.
The relationship was brief, and Farrell later referred to Britney as “a great girl” and said they were just having fun. But the pairing was so out of left field, it remains one of the most random—and forgotten—celebrity flings of the early 2000s.
Scarlett Johansson and Jack Antonoff
Before Jack Antonoff was the Grammy-winning producer behind Taylor Swift’s biggest hits—and before Scarlett Johansson became a Marvel superstar—the two dated in high school. They were even prom dates!
Their relationship lasted into the early 2000s and was so under the radar that many fans still have no idea it ever happened. Years later, Antonoff mentioned it in interviews, and photos of their prom resurfaced, leaving the internet stunned.
Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston
While Taylor Swift’s dating history has been widely documented, her whirlwind romance with actor Tom Hiddleston still stands out as one of the most surprising—and strangely forgotten—chapters in her love life.
After her high-profile split from Calvin Harris in 2016, Swift was seen kissing Hiddleston on a beach in Rhode Island, launching what quickly became an international relationship.
From meeting each other’s parents to traveling the globe together, the pair didn’t shy away from the spotlight.
But by September 2016, the relationship was over. Many believe the relationship inspired several of Swift’s Reputation era songs. It was intense, dramatic—and short-lived.
Nick Lachey and Kim Kardashian
Here’s a wild one you might have missed: After his divorce from Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey briefly dated Kim Kardashian in 2006. At the time, Kim wasn’t yet the media mogul she is today—she was known more for being Paris Hilton’s friend and a stylist.
Lachey later hinted that their date at the movies turned into a media circus overnight and subtly implied Kim may have tipped off the paparazzi.
The romance didn’t last, but in retrospect, it’s fascinating to think about two of reality TV’s biggest names crossing paths before either reached peak fame.January Jones and Ashton Kutcher
Long before Mad Men made her a household name, January Jones dated Ashton Kutcher in the early 2000s. The relationship didn’t last long, but Jones has since opened up about how unsupportive Kutcher allegedly was of her acting career.
In an interview, she claimed that an ex told her she’d never make it as an actress—a comment many assumed was directed at Kutcher.
While their romance didn’t make huge waves at the time, it’s one of those low-key Hollywood relationships that becomes more interesting in hindsight.
Justin Timberlake and Fergie
Back when Fergie was part of the girl group Wild Orchid and Justin Timberlake was still in NSYNC, the two briefly dated. It happened in the late ’90s—years before Fergie joined the Black Eyed Peas or Timberlake went solo.
Fergie later confirmed the relationship, calling it “innocent” and “young.” They weren’t together long, but it’s definitely one of those strange, forgotten moments in pop culture where two future icons crossed paths early in their careers.
Madonna and Tupac Shakur
Arguably one of the most unexpected couples in celebrity history, Madonna and Tupac briefly dated in the early ‘90s. Their relationship was mostly a secret at the time and only came to light years later, when a letter Tupac wrote to Madonna from prison surfaced.
In the letter, he expressed concern that dating her, a white woman, could damage his image and activism. It was a deeply personal and revealing glimpse into a relationship that many fans had no idea ever happened.
