Country singers Blake Shelton, 39, and Miranda Lambert, 31, have ended their four-year marriage. The couple announced the breakup via a press statement published in the Associated Press Monday.
"This is not the future we envisioned," read the joint statement. "And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter."
It was "The Voice" judge Shelton who apparently filed for the divorce two weeks ago, according to TMZ. The two signed a prenup, which stated that Blake will keep their ranch in Oklahoma while Miranda will get the house in Nashville, in the divorce.
Married since 2011, the couple was constantly rocked by rumors of their break-up due to the pressures of work and their celebrity status. In fact, a source revealed to E! Online that busy work schedules became the problem in their marriage.
"Their busy schedules were a big issue for them. They both worked a lot and had to spend a lot of time apart. The less time they spent together, the more they grew apart," the source said. "Trust was an issue for both of them. It went along with having to spend a lot of time apart. Rumors of infidelity put stress on them. Despite denials, even just rumors of cheating are still hard to hear."
Meanwhile, a source told People Magazine that Blake never cheated on his wife despite all the rumors linking him to the contestants on his show on NBC. "Blake is just that incredibly loyal and dedicated husband," says the source. "I can guarantee you he has been faithful to that woman."
Despite past rumors, Miranda always reiterated, "Divorce is not an option," according to Country Weekly. Only last January, she was praising her now ex-husband on Marie Claire Magazine, calling him her "perfect match."
"I'm not sunshine and roses. Blake's the happiest person on the planet. He pulls me out of my darkness," she revealed to the magazine. "Literally everything is the best about being married."
In another interview with Country Living last May, Miranda said she loved spending time with her husband and their pets. "My husband [singer Blake Shelton] and I have 15 rescue animals, and I spend way too much time planning our pets' spaces. I'm like, okay, I probably need to move on to the laundry room!," the top-selling country singer said.
News of the divorce saddened not only the fans of the couple but also shocked Miranda's own mother, Beverly June Hughes, who said she was not told about it, according to Hollywood Life.
This is Blake's second marriage that ended in divorce. He was previously married to Kaynette Gern from 2003 to 2006.
