Break-ups, Make-ups, and Fake-ups

Summary

The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Episode: Break-ups, Make-ups, and Fake-ups
Release Date: January 13, 2025

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Introduction

In the January 13, 2025 episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve into a lively discussion centered around celebrity relationships, break-ups, and the intriguing world of fake marriages. Titled "Break-ups, Make-ups, and Fake-ups," this episode intertwines personal anecdotes, book club discussions, and humorous exchanges, offering listeners both entertainment and insightful commentary.

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Personal Updates and Book Club Progress

The episode kicks off with Jon and Sarah exchanging light-hearted banter about Sarah's decision to retain her maiden name professionally, despite humorous attempts to change it covertly (00:55). Sarah shares her experience with an online service attempting to facilitate her name change, highlighting the complexities of maintaining a professional identity post-marriage.

As they transition into the week's book discussion, Sarah mentions their current read from Jon's Romance collection: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Both hosts express their growing enthusiasm for the book, noting how it becomes more engaging as they progress (02:48). Sarah reflects on the initial slow start but acknowledges the book's ability to captivate as the narrative unfolds.

Jon appreciates the listeners' feedback, mentioning that some find the podcast enjoyable even without reading the book (05:16), emphasizing the show's broad appeal beyond just book enthusiasts.

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Behind the Scenes: Sarah's Writing Experience

A significant portion of the conversation shifts to Sarah's past experience as a ghostwriter for Demi Lovato (07:48). Sarah recounts her interactions with Lovato, detailing how she was tasked with crafting an unauthorized biography that sought to present a sanitized version of Lovato's life. She expresses regret over the lack of authenticity forced upon the narrative, contrasting it with the raw honesty found in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Jon empathizes with Sarah's frustration, lamenting the suppression of genuine stories for marketable content (12:41). The hosts use this segue to underscore the importance of authenticity in storytelling, both in writing and personal relationships.

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Celebrity Marriages: Real vs. Fake

Transitioning into their main topic, Jon and Sarah engage in an animated discussion about celebrity marriages, pondering why many high-profile relationships end in divorce. They cite the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of the entertainment industry as a contributing factor, where careers often take precedence over personal relationships (16:17).

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Colonna (16:17): "I think it's the selfishness, the drive for just, the most important thing at that time is their career and they stop focusing on a relationship."
• Jon Ryan (22:22): "Most sports stars get together with, I don't, I don't say nor, but non-celebrity type people for the most part."

The duo references specific celebrity couples to illustrate their points:

• Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: Highlighted as a tumultuous on-set relationship that ended in a highly publicized divorce (17:51).
• Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell: Praised as a "gold standard" for their enduring relationship since 1983, showcasing a rare example of lasting love in Hollywood (20:19).
• Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, and Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are mentioned as examples of successful or long-lasting relationships amidst the chaos of fame.

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Fake Relationships and PR Stunts

Delving deeper, Jon introduces the concept of fake relationships orchestrated by public relations teams to boost public interest or distract from scandals (32:21). They explore various celebrity marriages speculated to be fabricated for publicity, including:

• Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Jon expresses skepticism about the authenticity of their relationship, questioning the motives behind such arrangements (32:44).

  Sarah Colonna (33:04): "If we get desperate for money. Just kidding, everybody."

• Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise: Discussed as a potentially staged marriage to maintain public image, with rumors of contractual obligations and strategic career moves (34:27).

• Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger: Their brief seven-day marriage is scrutinized as possibly being a publicity stunt, given the suddenness and brevity of the union (40:03).

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Ryan (32:21): "I think there's a lot of fake, like PR staff set up some dates."
• Sarah Colonna (33:04): "If we get desperate for money. Just kidding, everybody."

The hosts humorously debate the plausibility of these relationships, blending factual commentary with playful skepticism. They also touch upon the challenges of maintaining genuine connections in the face of public scrutiny and media manipulation.

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Listener Engagement and Community Building

Throughout the episode, Jon and Sarah encourage listener participation, inviting them to join their Facebook group, Book List Spinners on Patreon, where they can engage with bonus content such as short story reviews and behind-the-scenes segments like "John and Sarah Hit the Record." This community-centric approach fosters a sense of belonging among listeners and enhances engagement beyond the podcast.

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Conclusion and Teasers for Future Episodes

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts recap their discussions on celebrity relationships, emphasizing the thin line between authentic love and orchestrated public personas. They tease the next book pick, The New Wife by Sue Watson, slated for February, promising another deep dive into psychological thrills and unexpected twists.

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Colonna (41:07): "This was fun. What a random episode. And I love the randomness."

Jon and Sarah sign off with heartfelt gratitude, reminding listeners to share the podcast with friends and join their online communities for continued interaction and exclusive content.

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Key Takeaways

• Authenticity in Relationships: Both hosts underline the importance of genuine connections, contrasting them with the often superficial and strategic relationships seen in the celebrity world.

• PR and Media Influence: The episode sheds light on how public relations can shape and sometimes fabricate personal narratives for fame and public appeal.

• Resilience of Long-lasting Marriages: Couples like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell serve as testament to enduring love amidst the transient nature of Hollywood relationships.

• Community Engagement: Building a dedicated listener base through interactive platforms enhances the podcast experience and fosters a loyal audience.

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Join Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna on their next literary journey as they explore The New Wife by Sue Watson, continuing their tradition of blending humor, insight, and candid conversations about books and life.

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Timestamp Reference

• 00:55: Sarah discusses maintaining her maiden name.
• 02:48: Hosts talk about their current book.
• 05:16: Jon mentions listeners enjoying the podcast without reading the book.
• 07:48: Sarah shares her ghostwriting experience for Demi Lovato.
• 12:41: Jon empathizes with Sarah's experience.
• 16:17: Discussion on why celebrity marriages often end.
• 17:51: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's relationship.
• 20:19: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell as a "gold standard."
• 22:22: Discussion on sports stars' relationships.
• 32:21: Jon introduces fake relationships orchestrated by PR.
• 33:04: Sarah responds humorously about fake relationships.
• 34:27: Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise marriage speculation.
• 40:03: Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger's brief marriage.
• 41:07: Sarah comments on the episode's randomness.

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Note: Timestamps correlate to the provided transcript and serve as reference points for notable quotes and discussion segments.

Transcript

[Sarah Colonna]

Hi, I'm Sarah Colonna.

[John Ryan]

And I'm John Ryan.

[Sarah Colonna]

And you're listening to the Book List. The Book List.

[John Ryan]

The Book Lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, that's right. You're listening to the Book Lisp. And welcome to the Book Lisp with John Ryan and Sarah Colonna. Ryan.

[John Ryan]

Hey. Got a little hyphenate in there.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. I realized I never say Sarah Colon Orion. I do when I fill something out often. And I'll write Sarah Ryan on, like, a strongly worded email to Delta so that they maybe don't trace it back to me. But I don't know if the listeners know I never changed my last name. Once you've cannabis, huh?

[John Ryan]

Tell them why.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, one reason is because once you've changed it, once you've established it professionally. I'm not going to change it professionally. It would be too confusing. But I was going to surprise John. Hi, honey. We're in the same house, just different rooms, guys. So I was going to surprise him the Christmas after we got married. And I got this thing called Hitch Switch that they said they do the work for you because I just didn't want to be. I didn't want to be going to offices and DMVs. And they said you just fill out all this stuff, you pay them, they do it and you get it back. And so I got the whole package. I open it, they go, okay, first thing you got to do, go to the Social Security office. I was like, that's what.

[John Ryan]

All they did was fill out the paperwork for you?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And they weren't. They were gonna do some things. John's up. For those of you that aren't watching, just listening. John just got up, got himself. Oh, a little blanket for some padding for sound. Alex and Olivia will appreciate that. Our editors, as you guys know and love them. So anyway, I ended up never changing it. And you don't care?

[John Ryan]

No, no, not at all.

[Sarah Colonna]

Can you imagine if Evelyn Hugo would have changed her name every time she got married?

[John Ryan]

Would have been a nightmare.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. That's why, as professional ladies, just got to leave it as it is. Just in case we have to, you know.

[John Ryan]

You know, I came married seven times, babe.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, it's still time. No. Okay.

[John Ryan]

No. One and done, baby. One and done.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know. Wa. Wa. I have a lot of qualities from my dad, but wanting to get married several times is not one of them.

[John Ryan]

No. Thank God.

[Sarah Colonna]

So it's week two, babe, of the January book list. Already. We're already at week two.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. The book has been good.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. I'm Sure.

[John Ryan]

A lot of you are well into it now, and it only gets better as you go on, too.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. I think I admitted last week it took me a little bit, but then I did end up really loving it. It just there. I don't know why I thought it started off slow again. Sometimes there needs to be a body to really reel me in at the beginning. A dead one. So I have. But I really ended up enjoying it, and I'm seeing a lot of that in the book list Spinners. If you guys are in not in the Facebook group, join the book list Spinners on Patreon. You can watch the video of the podcast. You can see John drinking his fake beer right now. What is that?

[John Ryan]

Athletic Brewing Company.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. You like it, though, don't you?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I do, actually. I really like it. We just. We had a. We had a lot. We had a lot going on during the holidays when we enjoyed all of it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. A little too much.

[John Ryan]

So you got to know we're having. What are you calling it? Bib.

[Sarah Colonna]

Humid January humid, where you have some drinks, but not all the drinks and not on all the days.

[John Ryan]

It's humid because we like having all the drinks and all the days.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, holiday season was a whole shebang. But that's also. So we have some wines that were sent to us by a listener, Julie, who owns Twisted Roots Winery. And we did taste some over the holidays, but I wanted to save it.

[John Ryan]

Been saving it. Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. For the first. So I can. We can sip it while we're talking to you guys. But since we're not drinking during the week right now and we're recording this on a weekday, we don't get to taste it with you guys. But we this that we did taste some of it. Like I said, we cracked one bottle and saved the rest for the podcast. And it's so good. It's Twisted Roots Winery. It's. Julie is the owner. It's in Carmel, California. So I would definitely highly recommend if you're there to visit that winery because it's really good wine. Or you could probably order from them, too. We follow them at Twisted Roots Winery on Instagram. Just wanted to give her a little thank you.

[John Ryan]

We'll do it at the start of the weekend on Wednesday.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, yeah, we'll do it. We'll record a podcast on a Sunday.

[John Ryan]

So we can have the kickoff of the weekend Wednesday.

[Sarah Colonna]

I. Is that the kickoff of the weekend.

[John Ryan]

Wednesday when you're not drinking during the weekend?

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, you stupid. So, as you guys know, we don't have A ton of spoilers or any spoilers. I think everyone knows she was married seven times from the title of the book. But we don't do the spoilers in the full review till week four. So if you're not through it yet, don't worry, you can continue to listen until week four. I know I saw a lot in the listeners. People are just now finishing it. A lot of people had already read it and then they were excited that they get to read along now and listen along to your thoughts on it.

[John Ryan]

John yeah, I'm looking forward to sharing that with everyone. And also, really, I've had. We've. I've read some reviews and some people are saying you don't even really need to read the book just to enjoy this podcast as well. That's definitely week one. Three is just Sarah and I talking about things that are related to the book. But I think a lot of people are also just enjoying just listening to us. I appreciate that.

[Sarah Colonna]

We appreciate that. I am. I do like seeing all the comments that people are reading more to because of us. That's kind of a nice. Especially if you're kicking off your year, it was your resolution to read more. Here you go. You got a podcast. And then February is the New Wife by Sue Watson. That's a Me pick. So that means it's going to be a psychological thriller, twists and turns and whatnot. And we do. We don't know the March pick yet, right, John?

[John Ryan]

Not yet. I haven't. No, I haven't got there yet. March seems so far away.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know, but it goes fast. And then because you and I have to read kind of ahead, too. So that's how, that's why we end up picking them a little early. Plus, other people I know a lot of you guys go to the library and whatnot. So we try to give you plenty of time to get the book in your hands before our final review. Anyway, John and I were talking about something interesting that I don't know that many of you know. I think I've talked about it some, but it's just been so long since it happened. But because in this book, which it's. I'm not. I'm not spoiling anything with this. It's. Evelyn is being interviewed while she picks a woman that she wants to write her life story for her. And the woman doesn't really understand why, but of course she's excited to write Evelyn Hugo's life story. And I had a brief moment of being a writer for someone's life story that Never published. And I was trying to remember if I signed anything, but I was going to get credit. So I know that I'm allowed to talk about it because it's also on my website and whatnot.

[John Ryan]

You weren't a ghostwriter. You were just writing it with credit, Right.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes. It was gonna say it was Demi Lovato's book, and it was gonna say with Sarah Colonna, which means I was the person. She was telling me the stories. I was writing them and making them into a succinct story and chapter. The difference, I feel, well, this one A is fictional. But the biggest difference that I. My biggest hurdle was that I didn't. Evelyn. Demi Lovato wasn't calling all the shots. It felt like. Right. Evelyn Hugo's calling all the shots here. She's telling her what I want in this book, and this is the story, and this is what I want you to make clear.

[John Ryan]

I believe that when you're working on it, there's some people in Demi Lovato's camp, people, PR people. They were trying to improve her image.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Or create a new image for her. So they were really trying to steer you towards that.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Which is not. Which is not what people want to read, by the way.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, it's really not. And people want the dirt. They do. And. And not just the dirt, but. So this was before she had that horrible relapse and it was. What was it, like, 2015 or.

[John Ryan]

I don't know. It feels like forever ago.

[Sarah Colonna]

It was a long time ago.

[John Ryan]

It was before COVID for sure.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, it was well before that. And you and I were together. So somewhere between 2014 and 2019. I think it was, like, 2015. Anyway. She was lovely. The story goes. It was very different than how Evelyn and. And is it Monique? What's wrong with my. Yeah. Met. I was asked to. She was meeting with some people. My book agent said, you should meet with her, see how it goes. She. I met with her at, like, a hotel restaurant. I forget what it was. And we hit it off. She really liked my engagement ring, and I kind of think she. That's why she picked me. And then she liked the name of my. My first book, Life As I Blow It. And then we sent her my books, and she basically said, let's do this. This is my tone. This is everything that I like. And I will say I adored her. I thought she was a lovely girl. She was. She's this huge superstar. But when I would sit on the couch to interview her, she just. No makeup. Freckles. Just looks like this. Not a kid, because she wasn't. But in a way, there's just this innocence about her when you meet her in person that you don't see when she's all glammed up and, and doing her rock star. I mean, she has an amazing voice. Right. And I loved talking to her. I had a recorder. She would tell me stories. I, I can't, I don't think. I mean, again, I don't know what I'm allowed to say or not, but I wouldn't tell those stories just because it's not my place, since the book never got published anyway. But in my opinion, if that book would have been published, it would have been very good for a lot of people and bad for some others, but, but it would have been good for a lot of people in the sense that she was really raw and honest with me about a lot of things that she went through when being a child star and her obvious public struggles with addiction and different things. And I guess when her people, I'm not quite sure who. So I can't point a finger. I don't know if it was an agent, a manager, a PR, or what. When they started reading the pages, they were like, oh, no, this is, this is so honest. I guess I don't really know. I don't have a direct insight into what they. But I, I, I, I. The feeling that I got, my personal opinion is that the publisher paid for a book that was going to be, or wanted a book that was going to be what she was. The things that she was telling me, the stories and the honesty that she was telling me and that people came in and decided they didn't want to do that. And so it just went away at one point. Boy, did I do a lot of work on that too. I mean, I got paid. Yeah.

[John Ryan]

You turned in an official, like, rough copy, like a first copy of it, right?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then one of them gave. I remember someone in her camp gave me a note about, like, where a comma went, and I said, do you understand there's copy editors for this? This isn't, this is good. That's going to happen in a rough draft. There's going to be a couple errors. But I was like, let's focus on the content. But, but it was, it was interesting. I came out of it really enjoying her, you know, couple times I got canceled on on my way there. Things like that. There was some, some classic sort of Hollywood things like that that would happen where I was like, okay, well, I Set the whole day aside. But okay, I'm gonna turn around and go home. And then I would just tell the publisher like, hey, just need an. Probably another day tacked on to my time.

[John Ryan]

It's too bad that went away because I remember like you telling me some of the stories and they were great and I think people would have loved that book. And really, I think what they don't realize is the people in her camp that wanted this like Disney book that was going to appeal to 12 year olds for some reason instead of just the raw things that she's going through in her life, that it would have been such a, like a monster hit. And that's what people actually want to see. People want to hear about your flaws and about your fuck ups and the things that have gone wrong in your life and how you made them better and how you got to the point where you are. They don't want to like all this fake stuff.

[Sarah Colonna]

True. No.

[John Ryan]

I was like, it's too bad that happened.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And it probably would have been strange for it to come out after when she had, if it came out and then she had a relapse. Right. So maybe there was just some sort of greater good cut to come out of that because then it would have been like, oh, this is how I. There's a lot of. It was about that journey, of course, and it's stuff she's been open about, but then that would have come out and then she would have had this horrible, scary relapse. And so it would have been. But then we could have had a sequel. Just kidding.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, well, but it was interesting.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, it was interesting. It was interesting to do. It was interesting to work with. And it was, I, I. Next time I do it, I need an Evelyn Hugo, someone that's in charge of her own narrative.

[John Ryan]

Do you have still have a copy of it?

[Sarah Colonna]

I do what you wrote. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've got everything.

[John Ryan]

I've got the Unauthorized Story of Told by Demi Lovato. Oh, babe, we're gonna be rich.

[Sarah Colonna]

I would never, I would never. I'm sure there's some legal way that I wouldn't be able to do it anyway, but I would never.

[John Ryan]

I'm sure.

[Sarah Colonna]

But listen, if we get desperate for money. Just kidding, everybody. Just kidding. Anyway, I thought that might be a little interesting tidbit for some of our listeners. Now I know you had some ideas of other things based on another big.

[John Ryan]

Obviously a huge theme in this book was all her celebrity marriages. Every one of her marriages was like a Hollywood celebrity type Marriage. And I just want to talk about some celebrity marriages that we like to talk about.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, okay. Who's that?

[John Ryan]

Well, it's funny you should ask.

[Sarah Colonna]

Your face.

[John Ryan]

I love you so much. They kind of just. Look at. There's been so many bad celebrity marriages. Why, like, why do you think celebrities get divorced so quickly and easily?

[Sarah Colonna]

I, as someone who, I mean, I've been on sets, I, I, I kind of get it. I get that people. I think it's. I think it's the, the kind of like Evelyn, it's like the selfishness, the, the drive for just, the, just the most important thing at that time is their career and they stop focusing on a relationship. And then that's why I think sometimes people have like, these relationships on set. Because when I, When I've been on set, I've never in my, in my brain thought like, oh, maybe this will, this will lead to an affair or a hookup or a. This. Because I don't h. That's not in my brain at all. I'm like, well, this has been a long day. I mean, you, Sometimes those days are really long and you start at 6am and for, if you get there at 4 for your to get in the trailer and get your makeup done. And the last thing on the end of the day, I'm like, I just need to go get a glass of wine and go home. Like, I've never, I've just never found that atmosphere to be romantic. Does that make sense? And I think other people sometimes are. I just think there's a lot of crazy people. That's it. Yeah. And I think they get caught up and they're like, oh, man, we. We fell in love during this movie. And then the movie's over, and then they're like, it. I don't like you anymore.

[John Ryan]

I think part of it is, I don't know what the word is. Like, availability. Like, someone just beside you all day. You just, like, a lot of people are like, oh, I'm fall. And then, yeah, they said the movie's over. Like, oh, on to the next. Like, it's over now. Even though, you know, like, think about.

[Sarah Colonna]

One of the most famous ones probably right. Was that we believe they fell in love on set. And now they're also now officially divorced, I think, or reached a settlement was Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt, Yeah.

[John Ryan]

That was on Mr. And Mrs. Smith, right?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And they. I remember even when they. He was still married to Jen Aniston and they hadn't even, I don't think they'd even come out yet as a couple or he hadn't broken up with her. But then they did this big magazine spread where they looked like a family. Do you remember that? It was like. No, I think it was Vanity Fair, Vogue, and maybe I'm getting a little bit of the detail wrong, but it was to promote Mr. And Mrs. Smith. But it was also really weird because it was like they were posed as a husband and wife. And. And I think there were some kids that it was. It was just strange. And everyone was like, isn't he married to somebody else? This seems like a weird photo shoot. And then next thing you know, they got a divorce.

[John Ryan]

Well, that worked out well.

[Sarah Colonna]

I think it worked out well for Jennifer Aniston.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Yeah. Dodging that bullet.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

I think Brad. I think Brad Pitt might be a little crazy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And there's been some stuff that's come out that.

[John Ryan]

Not great.

[Sarah Colonna]

It's. I mean, we have to say alleged because I guess that's what it is. But it just seems like hopefully nobody dates him again. But I. But I just remember that one being such a big deal as sort of a on set fling because Jen is like America's sweetheart. And then Angelina Jolie was the sexy vixen in this sort of situation. And then she ended up just. I know that Chelsea Handler used to have a joke about it. I forget exactly how it went, but it was just basically like he thought he was, you know, just gonna hang out and bang this hot movie star. And now he's got like 20 kids and he's like, oh, no.

[John Ryan]

Well, that. It was such a messy divorce. They just settled the other day.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. For like eight. It's been only eight years.

[John Ryan]

Eight years?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Wait till I divorce you. How long that's gonna drag out?

[John Ryan]

12 seconds.

[Sarah Colonna]

How dare.

[John Ryan]

I wouldn't drag it.

[Sarah Colonna]

I wouldn't.

[John Ryan]

Also, you're not divorcing me.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know. I'm just kidding.

[John Ryan]

The gold. I say the gold standard in relationship. Well, there's two that come to mind right away. The gold standard in celebrity relationships. The first one talked about Goldie, Han and Kurt Russell.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

I mean, they got together at n. They're still not married, but that doesn't matter.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right.

[John Ryan]

They got together in 1983.

[Sarah Colonna]

They got together in 83Y. So how long is that? 42. Oh, my God. They're like. They've been together as long as you've been alive. Almost.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Plus, minus a year. Right, right. You're 43.

[John Ryan]

Yes, baby. Thank you for noticing.

[Sarah Colonna]

No problem. Yeah. They, I feel like they, they just seem fun. I would also put, I would put Kira Sedgwick and Christian Slater.

[John Ryan]

Oh, yeah, that's a good one.

[Sarah Colonna]

Up there with them because I just enjoy them. I, I've. I. No, not Christian Slater. Jesus. Kira Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon.

[John Ryan]

Kevin.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah.

[John Ryan]

Okay. Yeah. Yes, There we go.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I, I just totally just said the wrong name for no reason. But I enjoy them. They just always seem like they're having fun. They. I follow them on Instagram. They look like a nice time.

[John Ryan]

Forest Gump and Rita Wilson.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah. Or Tom Hanks. You can call him by his proper name.

[John Ryan]

I rather not. He's always Tom Hanks. You know.

[Sarah Colonna]

How long have they been together?

[John Ryan]

A long time. I mean, you know what memory sticks out is when everyone was like, this is like mid March. Everyone's like, oh, we don't really know what covet is. Don't really know what covet is. Don't trust it, blah, blah, blah, whatever. Then they're like, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have covet. And everyone's like, oh, it's real, guys. It's real. America's dad. America's dad has it.

[Sarah Colonna]

And weren't they in Australia? Yeah, I think they were in Australia. And then, and then we were like, are they ever going to come back from Australia? Are we losing Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson to Australia forever? Because they.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, that's a weird time to bring that back up. One of the biggest sports couples, I mean, I'm sure you can think of some other ones. One of the biggest ones of all time is David Beckham and Victoria Beckham.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, yeah, that is.

[John Ryan]

Most sports stars get together with like, I don't, I don't say nor, but non celebrity type people for the most part. And they were both like major, major celebrities all over the world, but especially back in, like, England, where they're from in the uk, they're like monster, monster stars at the same time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Kind of like us.

[John Ryan]

Exactly like us.

[Sarah Colonna]

I mean, we're kind of the original. We're more the original Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce because they, quote, unquote, met on Twitter or not Twitter. But he posted something about welcome to my stadium. And then it was very similar. I'm just saying, I feel like maybe he read my book, could have been and took a page truly out of it.

[John Ryan]

I agree with that.

[Sarah Colonna]

What about Ciara? Is it Ciara or Ciara? I used to have her phone number.

[John Ryan]

She's not blocked.

[Sarah Colonna]

She's not blocked me. I Just assume it's changed also I've never used it. That's that much I can tell you. I but that's since I don't know if her name is Siara or Sierra. I always mess it up.

[John Ryan]

Before Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce they had to been the like the most famous couple other than Tom Brady and Zel Bun but now they be gone.

[Sarah Colonna]

That ended too.

[John Ryan]

That was a surprise for me. That was a shocker.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I was surprised. I, I, I didn't, I felt like when you hear enough rumblings and he retired but then didn't retire and she did seem unhappy with it publicly I felt like maybe something was a bruin but what do we know the only people no I know the only one Adam we actually know would be Ciara Ciara and Russell Wilson who were very kind people. We, John played with Russell for a long time. He was always nice to me. She was always really? Yeah. Why did you, what did you want? What did you need to clarify that?

[John Ryan]

I don't know, just. Yeah, yeah, no, go ahead. You said John played with Russell Wilson and that.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh yes, he played football with Russell Wilson guys. And, and she was always very sweet to me. I was in a group chat called the Sea Wives so that's why I had her phone number. They added me. Yeah but remember you were saying that sometimes a lot of times athletes marry somebody who's not also famous.

[John Ryan]

Well I think there's a lot of athletes that get married right out of college. They have like their college girlfriend and they're not really famous yet either and then they become sports famous. You see that quite a bit.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. When Russell was one of them and.

[John Ryan]

He, Russell was one of them.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. His first wife was right out of college.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. I think they were like even high school together.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And then Brittany and Patrick Mahomes but they're still together.

[John Ryan]

Clearly they were like childhood sweethearts or something.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. What do you think that is? Is that just the this the not. I mean that's a good thing childhoods. I'm not. It's a good thing that they're still together and that there were childhood sweethearts but do you think a lot of times when an athlete and this is just my take and I'm curious when they know that they're going to be drafted. They know they're, they are really good. They know they're probably going to have a big career. Is it comforting to marry someone who's been with you the whole time so you don't feel like they're They're. They're meeting you for the money. Like I think, I think part of it.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I understand that. I think part of that would be that I think part of the. On the other side, like the non athlete wants to cling onto that money too. I've seen a lot. It's like 75 athletes get divorced. 75.

[Sarah Colonna]

Really?

[John Ryan]

So I think. Yeah, yeah. So I. It's 75 of athletes are broke, bankrupt, bankrupt and or divorced within three years of the last game. Three or four years of their last game. My last. No, my last game, the CFL was 2 1/2 years ago.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, God. We only got six months left.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, I guess I better book an acting job so I can start scout scouring the set for a new lover.

[John Ryan]

I better start hiding money.

[Sarah Colonna]

Stupid.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, pretty much. I think I was going to talk about surprise breakups.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, okay. Yes.

[John Ryan]

This. This is one that was really surprising to me. And then after when you hear what everything you're like, oh, not surprised at all. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Like they had gone through like elections together. They had gone through like e. They're doing there for a lot like many years. And they just seemed like they were just like together. Together forever.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

And there's. Oh, here's, here's the, the. The nanny's kids always around here. It looks exactly like you, Arnold. What? I don't know.

[Sarah Colonna]

Wasn't it their maid or something?

[John Ryan]

If there was their maid, their maid kid was his kid.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, that's. This is w. That's wild to me to. Because that means I. I kind of forget the details on this one. Although back. Way back when I was on Chelsea lately and this happened. I think we talked about it every day for a while. But wasn't. I mean that. So the kid was like a secret kid, right?

[John Ryan]

Yep.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Well.

[Sarah Colonna]

And then. And she had no idea secret and.

[John Ryan]

That she didn't know that it was his. But I think the kid was probably, I don't know around.

[Sarah Colonna]

The kid was like, are you my father? That's my. That was my Arnold Schwarzenegger impression. You're welcome everybody.

[John Ryan]

Pretty good.

[Sarah Colonna]

Pretty talented. Yeah, that was a surprise. One that seemed. I don't, don't, don't, don't bang any of your household staff. Just don't do it. Well, it's not while you're married anyway. I mean, if not, go ahead.

[John Ryan]

But it's crazy how like squeaky clean he came out of that people. Everyone loves Arnold Schwarzenegger. Everyone loves the guy and he's getting more popular with age somehow.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, that's true.

[John Ryan]

We know someone that works with him and she's like, he couldn't be nicer. He couldn't be a more awesome guy.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, Fortune. Fortune. She's on fubar and she's like, sings his praises. She's just like, he's the nicest guy. He's super generous, kind to everybody on set. Ultimate professional. Yeah, you're right. He just listen, sometimes someone can really get through a scandal.

[John Ryan]

They can.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And not all the time, but. But you're right. Pretty sure it did.

[John Ryan]

On the other side. Look at like Leanne rhymes. Oh, people hated her.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. That did not go well.

[John Ryan]

Like, Like, I think it's partially difference between like a man and a woman. People that are lenient with men.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, that's true. That's true. That's just like. And that's a lot of what goes on in Evelyn Hugo, right? Where she's basically. I tell you what, she would have been a great publicist. She was a great self publicist. I'm not doing any spoilers, but just anytime she had a situation, she sure figured something out. And you're like, damn. I don't really know if I ever would have been able to figure that out for myself.

[John Ryan]

And she was a badass.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Another surprise breakup for me was Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

At the time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. That came out of nowhere. But then, because they just seemed so cute together and blah and happy and.

[John Ryan]

They'Re both like at the top of their game, the country music. She was like the top female singer and he was a top male kind of like in that group anyways. That was like the. The it people at the time.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. And speaking of surprises, they never would have turned around and imagined him with Gwen Stefani.

[John Ryan]

No. They seem very happy together.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, they do. They seem really happy together. But I would not. You wouldn't put them together in your brain ever. No, but. But that's. You know, you got to keep your. You got to keep your mind open because you never know, right? Yeah.

[John Ryan]

My biggest shock breakup. You want to hear it?

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Britney Spears and Jason Alexander.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, is that the biggest shock?

[John Ryan]

I thought those kids really made it. 24 hours later, they got divorced. I could not believe it. I was on eggshells for 24 hours because I thought they were going to be the it couple.

[Sarah Colonna]

You're like, surely these two just kids that got married in Vegas overnight. We're not even really dating. Were they. Weren't they just friends?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, they're friends from like childhood or something. But talk about a woman that just marries normal guys.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Like k fed her last. I know her last. The women think her last husband was a good looking guy, but he was not just a trainer. But he was a trainer. Like he wasn't a multi millionaire. Whatever.

[Sarah Colonna]

I thought he was an actor that last.

[John Ryan]

I thought he was like a personal trainer.

[Sarah Colonna]

I think he was an aunt. I think he's maybe both.

[John Ryan]

Sounds like a real B list.

[Sarah Colonna]

We don't do. We don't do a lot of fact checking before we start.

[John Ryan]

No relationship. Way more fun just to speculate.

[Sarah Colonna]

It is. Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. I prefer it personally. So in this book, Evelyn also had to have a lot of. Not a lot of. She had a few fake marriages.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yes.

[John Ryan]

Where. I mean, you, you will read it. But it's. They're all for very good reason. But she had a couple fake marriages. So we also looked into some of the speculations. Well, we have an article here about speculations of fake celebrity couples.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Okay.

[John Ryan]

And so I have a theory. I think there's a lot of fake, like dates that you see. I think like PR staff set up some dates. You go to Spago or whatever and you get photographed.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Being seen with someone before your book comes out or for your movie comes out, your TV show comes out. But I don't think there's a lot of like fake marriages. That's a whole nother step.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah, I know. I have a hard time. I remember actually that when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, everyone was saying that was fake. And I'm like, for what? For what would be the point? She has no reason to lend someone her. You know, she's a global superstar and he's very sorry. Go ahead.

[John Ryan]

Travis isn't making her bigger, she's making Travis bigger. Like, no one can make Taylor Swift any more bigger than she is. Like, she doesn't need to fake a relationship with anybody. And also as a, as a guy, the last person in the world I'd want to fake a relationship with is her.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

Like Jake Gyllenhaal dated her for like a few months and it's been like 15 years and he still gets like angry messages on Instagram. He says, like it's like 15 years ago. They did it for like five minutes.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

He says it still comes from the Swifties.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. They don't. They even go to like his. To Travis Kelsey's ex girlfriend's page and talk on her and she's like, what do I have to do with this? And I don't know if she ever said anything to. To piss him off or. It doesn't matter, but just leave people alone. You're right. That. That would. She'd be a scary one. I think she's amazing. I love her. So that's.

[John Ryan]

I love her too.

[Sarah Colonna]

But. Yeah, it's. But you wouldn't want to. You. You don't want to. You. That's like just asking for it. Because even if it's. Even if you guys agreed to some fake thing, it's like, okay, but that means when we break up, I have to deal with the Swifties.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Anyway, you don't want to mess with.

[John Ryan]

The Swifties or the Beehive.

[Sarah Colonna]

Well, the first one that they mentioned in this article that everyone against speculation thought was fake was Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. Because, remember, I kind of forgot about it because I. I love to forget about it. Because when he was, like, jumping on top of that couch on Oprah, acting like a psychopath, everyone's like, what is happening? And then he. He proposed to her on top of the Eiffel Tower. And then they. I guess there was rooms. Rumors starting from like, he was gay to a marriage contract just to keep him married in the public eye. There's rumor after rumor of why he would have a fake marriage after he and Nicole Kidman split. But then they said he went around Hollywood approaching actresses with a marriage contract of five years, promised a career boost, cash, and a bonus for a child, and their marriage lasted five years. So that's why this person who wrote this article thinks, quote, unquote, the proof is in the pudding, folks.

[John Ryan]

I say conspiracy theorist. Yeah. Katie Holmes wasn't. Wasn't hurting for money.

[Sarah Colonna]

No. I think if anything. And I. This is based on nothing. I don't know Katie Holmes. I don't know Tom Cruise. And. But it would almost be. He feels like a. A guy that needs to be married for the pup, for his public image or something. And so. And she, I think, was a little bit younger than him, so maybe she. He just kind of. Kind of swooned her a little bit and she fell for it. But then I remember there was like a weird phase where people said that she just seemed vacant when she would go out and they'd get pictures of her looking sort of dazed. And there were all these rumors about her being on some sort of drug for Scientology. And I was like, maybe she's just. Maybe just getting bad pictures of her too. That's also possible, right? Like, maybe she just didn't know, you Were photographing her when she was at the park.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. I don't know. I mean, I. I think a lot of all. I think all these are fake because I believe in the sanctity of marriage.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, okay. What about Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson? They just married. Yeah. Because they didn't get. They didn't get married, but.

[John Ryan]

No, they're just dating. But she cheated on him with, like, on set with, like, a producer or something.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, that's right. With Affair with the director, I think.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

And. And basically everyone says it was to get people to watch Twilight because.

[John Ryan]

Because they needed more people to watch it.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. So that was kind of. I feel like if that's the case, there could have been a better reason. You got to cut if you want me to buy in. And. And I'm. I'm not. Conspiracy theory away and give me all your. All your ideas in the book list spinners in the comments here on. On Patreon, if you're watching On Patreon. I love it. If you guys want to tell me why you think Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes was a fake marriage, I'm all in. I'm gonna read it and then I'll probably believe it two seconds later. I got no problem with it. It's just funny.

[John Ryan]

We sat next to Robert Pattinson and Pache one night.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's right. We did. He was.

[John Ryan]

He was with his parents.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Yeah. That's a fake relationship, too.

[John Ryan]

Yeah. Those were. Those parents were paid for.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah. Weren't his real parents.

[John Ryan]

Nope. Nope.

[Sarah Colonna]

What's another one in here?

[John Ryan]

Kim Kardashian, Chris Humphreys. I think this is the dumbest one to think it's fake. It's Kim Kardashian. If she wanted to, like, boost herself, she wouldn't. Like, she wouldn't marry a reserve backup player for the Nets.

[Sarah Colonna]

That's a good point.

[John Ryan]

Like, and as a guy who. Who is a punter, I know that I dedicated my entire life to it. So I'm not cutting him down. He dedicated his entire life to be a basketball player, to play in the NBA for, like, 10 years.

[Sarah Colonna]

No, I know what you're saying, though.

[John Ryan]

Yeah, but I'm saying, like, she could go and get some. The starter for the Knicks, the starter for the Lakers or something like that. If she wanted. If she wanted to do it for show.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. Because they had.

[John Ryan]

That's why I don't think it was show.

[Sarah Colonna]

I feel like. And they did remember that. That big crazy, like, fairy tale wedding was. It probably was probably like on E.

[John Ryan]

I think they had probably 2500 sponsors.

[Sarah Colonna]

Yeah.

[John Ryan]

I mean, Chris probably had everything sponsored in the whole world.

[Sarah Colonna]

And then they only stayed married for 72 days, just long enough to film the Kardashians. I mean, now it is kind of acting. Now it is kind of fitting into the. To the. Because. But because he obviously does well for it, did well for himself. And it's a tough. It's tough to even get as far. To get as far as he did. Right. I mean, he.

[John Ryan]

Yeah.

[Sarah Colonna]

Also he was. He played, right?

[John Ryan]

Oh, yeah, he was a good player. Yeah. But he just was. He wasn't like a star in the league by any means.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. But I mean, that's the only one that I could see them being like, look, if you want in on this, you're never going to have to worry about money again. Not that you would have to anyway, but just like you said, sometimes athletes blow their money. Sometimes anyone blows their money. But. But the Kardashians have so much money, they can't ever blow it. So she doesn't need it because they have like the. The most. They have so much money. It makes me angry. But other people, you know, I could see where she could be an appeal to someone and be like, you know what? We want to have this really stupid wedding and just troll the entire world on Keeping up with the Kardashians. You want in? We got X amount of million bucks for you. And he's probably like it. Sure. I don't care. Why not?

[John Ryan]

One of one of the most popular ones was Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger got married for like seven days.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know what, that was so weird.

[John Ryan]

It was. It was out of nowhere. It was very strange.

[Sarah Colonna]

I don't think anyone even knew they were dating.

[John Ryan]

No. That's why I think there's so much speculation about that one being fake.

[Sarah Colonna]

Right. And it was like. I remember it was. It was came. It came out of nowhere. And all of a sudden, well, Kenny Chessie is. Feels like he's always barefoot on a beach, but he was barefoot on a beach, and she was barefoot on a beach in a wedding dress and they're gallivanting around. And I think everyone was like, were they dating? I don't remember them dating, but I think it was. I read that it was four months, but they might have split after seven days. And then they. They got an annulled or something. Like they didn't. They were so short that they didn't have to get a divorce. I think they got an annulment, just walked away. Yeah, that's pretty quick turnaround time, in my opinion. Do you have any other ones?

[John Ryan]

No. That was fun.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh, is that. Are you done?

[John Ryan]

Yeah, I just have to go to the bathroom really bad, to be honest.

[Sarah Colonna]

Oh. Oh, okay. Well, this is what that non alcoholic beer will do to you.

[John Ryan]

Goes right through you.

[Sarah Colonna]

Goes right through you. Oh, well, we are. Yeah, we've been here. We, we're, we're good on time too, so. Well, this was fun. What a random episode. And I love the randomness. We love the randomness of the in between weeks. So again, join the book listeners on Facebook that always also keeps an updated list pinned at the top of the page of what we're reading in case we update it with the next pick and whatnot. The New Wife by Sue Watson is your February book. Next week we have another fun week for you. And then week four, we get to talk all about the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

[John Ryan]

Yes. Can't wait.

[Sarah Colonna]

I know John's been like chomping at the bit I said this last time too, but you are. It's like when it's his pick he gets so excited to talk about, so I do. Oh, okay. Thank you guys. And join us on Patreon for bonus content. We do some short story reviews and a little fun thing called John and Sarah Hit the hit Record. That's just a random new thing we decided to do. And then you can also watch the video and we love you. Thanks for listening and tell all your friends to listen.

[John Ryan]

See you next week.

[Sarah Colonna]

Bye. The book list.

[John Ryan]

The book lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book list.

[John Ryan]

The book lisp.

[Sarah Colonna]

The book lisp.