Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich have separated after 3 years of marriage

Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich have separated. The “Dancing With the Stars” favorite and the professional hockey player ended things after 3 years of marriage.

The couple released a joint statement on Friday, announcing their separation. “We have lovingly and carefully taken the time we have needed to arrive at our decision to separate. We share an abundance of love and respect for one another and will continue to lead with our hearts from that place. We kindly request your compassion and respect for our privacy moving forward.”

Early Signs

However, the news may not come as a surprise for some people. Rumors and speculations about the couple’s marital relations have been making rounds for a while. Fans might have caught up on the tension when the couple decided to quarantine separately in different states. Looking back, the actress may have been hinting about the separation through her social media. A cryptic Instagram story posted by Julianne Hough earlier this month, read, ‘Never betray yourself to be loyal to others.’ Fans were quick to assume there was trouble in paradise when the actress was spotted without her wedding ring on several occasions.

The couple first began dating back in December 2013. After nearly a year and a half of dating, they announced their engagement in August 2015. Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich exchanged vows in July 2017 in an outdoor ceremony outside of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

‘It’s over, it’s been over for a while, and it’s time to just call it what it is – and it is over. There is honestly no ill will,” revealed a source. “He loves her. She loves him. I can truly say they always will. But they both understand they are not meant to go through their lives as husband and wife to each other.”

The insider further shared, “They are two people that still love each other, but have decided that it’s time to move on separately. The split is friendly. They hope they can stay friends.”