A look at Ryan Phillippe's past romantic relationships
Ryan Phillippe is gearing up to fight allegations of domestic abuse, and the actor is “completely devastated” over the claims by model Elsie Hewitt.
“As a staunch advocate for the health, well-being and equality of women, Ryan is completely devastated that these false allegations have been made and circulated,” the actor’s rep tells People in a statement. “Domestic violence is an incredibly serious issue and fabricated and proven false claims should not be used to unjustly slander the falsely accused. The claims are false.”
The 43-year-old actor and father of three split with Hewitt, 21, in July after a brief fling. It was his first (known) relationship since he ended his engagement last year, although he was linked to Katy Perry in April.
Take a look at Phillippe’s past relationships:
Elsie Hewitt: April-July 2017
The actor’s three-month romance with the Guess model did not end amicably. Hewitt has filed a civil suit against the Shooter star alleging he kicked and punched her and threw her down a flight of stairs. She also claimed she witnessed him doing a slew of illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy. However, a source calls BS on the model’s claims. “Ryan did not lay a hand on her. He wants to clear all of this up, and he will,” an insider tells People.
Paulina Slagter: 2011-16
Phillippe and his fiancée, law student Paulina Slagter, ended their engagement at the end of 2016 after five years together. Before their split, the actor gushed about being with someone like Slagter who is out of the industry.
“As you get older certain issues become more important to you,” he told Howard Stern. “I’m very involved in civil rights issues, and so to be with a woman who could actually make an impact in the legal realm — that’s a beautiful thing.”
However, that’s ultimately what might have doomed the couple. While details of the breakup were kept private, the actor alluded that life in the public eye may have played a role, telling People, fame “affects those in your life who didn’t choose to be a public figure: your children and the people you are in a relationship with.”
He continued, “I think that’s when it gets really difficult. … Of course [dating] is a challenge. When I’ve been involved with people in my industry in the past, there is a little bit more of an understanding of what to expect, but I feel like when you are with someone who is not in the industry, the focus isn’t there to the same degree.”
Amanda Seyfried: 2010-11
The Mama Mia! star had an on-off relationship with Phillippe, even standing by him when it was revealed Alexis Knapp was pregnant with his child. While Seyfried has dated a bevy of actors, she noted that being with Ryan was particularly tough.
“When I was with Ryan, people followed me so much more, and that’s probably one of the reasons that I’m not looking to date someone who’s famous now,” the actress noted in 2011.
Alexis Knapp: 2010
Phillippe and the Pitch Perfect star dated briefly in summer 2010, but they were together long enough to make a baby. Nine months later, Knapp gave birth to daughter Kai, and while the pair parted ways, he was reportedly in the delivery room with her. It’s not known how much of a relationship Phillippe has with his third child, as both he and Knapp have been extremely private over the years about each other.
Abbie Cornish: 2006-10
The Stop-Loss co-stars dated in the wake of Phillippe’s divorce from Reese Witherspoon, and it was rumored Cornish played a role in the demise of their marriage. While Ryan and Abbie quietly ended their relationship, he wasn’t thrilled that she announced it to the world. “I have a new rule: not to date anyone who has a publicist,” the actor told Howard Stern. “Who announces a breakup? I don’t understand that! There’s no need for that … I’ve been dumped on in the press for relationship stuff since Reese [Witherspoon] and I divorced.”
He added, “I’m tired of getting s*** on … I don’t feel like I deserve it. Things happen! How many people have you broken up with over your life?”
Reese Witherspoon: 1999-2006
Witherspoon filed for divorce from Phillippe in 2006 after seven years of marriage. “I’m not a perfect person, but I’m not guilty of a lot of the things I have been accused of,” Phillippe said in a statement at the time, alluding to the Cornish affair rumors. He also vehemently denied other allegations of hard partying and drug use.
Witherspoon acknowledged she spent a lot of time crying on the kitchen floor in the wake of the divorce but eventually picked herself up and moved on.
“I think more of the problem was age. When we got together we were so young,” Phillippe, who met Witherspoon on her 21st birthday, explained a few years ago. “I think it can create issues with two people in this industry because there’s so much noise that goes along with it.”
Over the past decade, Ryan and Reese have gotten to the point where they are great co-parents and even friends. They have two children, Ava, 18, and Deacon, 13.
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