Defying huge age gap and allegations of wrecking marriage, some smitten pairs give in to their passions and choose to be together against all odds.
- Jan 13, 2019
AceShowbiz - Because love is blind, no one can tell others whom they should fall for when Cupid has shot his arrow. In famous classic and popular works we have read and seen many star-crossed love stories like Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", while in modern society we have witnessed numerous Hollywood stars' controversial relationships.
The most recent one is Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty's. A non-celebrity, he caught attention due to his criminal past. It's revealed that he is a registered sex offender for attempted rape and was also found guilty of first-degree manslaughter charge in 2006. When many criticize their relationship, the "Anaconda" hitmaker remains unfazed and even flaunts their romance on Instagram.
But Nicki is not the first star who has caused a controversy with her love story. Just like the new lovebirds mentioned above, these celebrity couples listed below had earlier caused big scandals for various reasons, and one couple is even still together until now.
1. Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris
Hugh Hefner's reputation as a ladies' man didn't make it shocking at all that he was dating former Playboy Playmate Crystal Harris, though she was only 22 and he was 82 at the time. But it was his decision to marry her in his latter age that raised eyebrows. The model got cold feet five days before their supposed wedding in June 2011. They engaged in humiliating public spats for about a year, but later reconciled in 2012 and eventually got married on December 31 of the same year. Declaring his pure love for his third wife, the Playboy founder said before their wedding, "The dramatic age difference between difference & Crystal & me really doesn't matter. Whatever time I have left, we want to spend together." True to his words, they remained together until his death in September 2017.
2. Kylie Jenner and Tyga
Kylie Jenner was only 14 when her dating rumors with then-20-year-old Tyga first emerged. But having grown up faster than someone of her age should be, she appeared to have a serious relationship with the "Faded" rapper, which was only confirmed in 2014 with her appearance on his Instagram posts. She was accused of causing the end of Tyga's relationship with his baby mama Blac Chyna, but people's biggest concern was how far her physical intimacy with Tyga was, considering that they appeared to have sleepover frequently. All those talks were over when Kylie turned 17, but the pair called it quits a few years later in 2017.
3. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
They might be one of Hollywood's power couples, but Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were also loathed by some who accused the "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" star of causing the divorce of then-favorite Hollywood couple, Brad and Jennifer Aniston". "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" actor was still legally married to the "Friends" alum when he met Angie on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" in 2005. Despite initial denials to their affair, she confirmed their relationship in 2006, when she was already pregnant with his child and after his divorce with Jennifer was finalized. The pair didn't get married until 2014, but they separated in 2016. As rocky as how it began, they had a long custody battle over their six children before they reached an agreement in late 2018.
4. Woody Allen and Soon Yi Previn
While their 35 year age gap already made their relationship controversial, Woody Allen and Soon Yi Previn's love story was even creepier as they were related as family when they first met. Soon Yi was one of the adopted children of Mia Farrow, who was still married to the legendary director at the time. Their affair was revealed by Mia herself in 1992, after she discovered nude photographs of Soon Yi in Woody's home. The story was widely reported by media, with Mia and her son Ronan Farrow still bringing it up several times in the past few years to slam Woody. Yet, he's happily married to Soon Yi since 1997 and they have two adopted children together.
5. Aaliyah and R. Kelly
R. Kelly didn't gain his reputation as a sexual offender in one day. One of his notorious relationships was with Aaliyah. They first met when the "Try Again" songstress was just 12. In 1994, he illegally married then 15-year-old Aaliyah without her parents' knowledge. A marriage certificate that was unveiled in 2017 revealed that R. Kelly forged her age as 18 to meet the legal limit. Their marriage was annulled in February 1995 by her parents, and the two persistently denied that they had ever been married to each other. While Aaliyah didn't live to tell the story of their controversial relationship, the "I Believe I Can Fly" hitmaker is currently facing numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.
6. Bobbi Kristina Brown and Nick Gordon
Bobbi Kristina Brown and Nick Gordon's relationship was a modern-day incest. Nick was raised by Whitney Houston since he was 12 years old and the late singer called him her adopted son, making him and Bobbi siblings though not by blood. Thus, it shocked many when Bobbi announced her engagement to Nick in 2012. Her grandmother Cissy Houston was one of those who reportedly opposed to their relationship, but Bobbi claimed that her grandmother gave her blessing prior to their engagement. Their tumultuous relationship often grabbed headlines, with Nick being dubbed a bad influence on Bobbi. He was with her when she was found unresponsive in a bathtub in 2015. Her family members blamed him for her death which was related to drug use and heart disease. He was slapped with wrongful death lawsuit, the accusation which he was later found guilty for.
7. Doug Hutchinson and Courtney Stodden
Doug Hutchison's "Lost" role didn't make him as famous as when he married Courtney Stodden, his third wife. The former beauty queen was only 16 when she tied the knot with the then-50-year-old actor. Doug was criticized by many, including his own family and agent who decided to cut ties with him as he was labeled a "pedophile." But Courtney's parents had nothing but good things to say about their daughter's husband, with her mother Krista Keller praising him for the way he treated Courtney with kindness and love. Despite their initial romantic display, the couple had a rocky relationship which they revealed on national TV by appearing on "Couples Therapy". Their attempts to save their marriage didn't work though and they separated in 2017 before their divorce was finalized in 2018.
8. Chris Brown and Rihanna
This coupling made everyone green with envy before Chris Brown infamously assaulted Rihanna in 2009. Not only he broke his relationship with his pretty and talented girlfriend, but also he ruined his career which just started rising at the time. The "Umbrella" hitmaker shocked many when she stood by Chris in court. While the picture of Rihanna's beaten-up face still lingered in everyone's mind, the Barbadian beauty appeared to have forgiven her ex and forgot what he did. They gave their relationship another try in 2012 which was marked by their collaboration "Birthday Cake", much to her fans' disappointment. They eventually broke up again in 2013.
