3 Breakup Lessons From Celebrities


Jennifer Aniston
Celebrities are so smart. Here, we take advice from 3 recent break-ups.

Breakups stink. And when you're in the midst of one, it often feels as though no one in the world could possibly understand your anguish. But rest assured, gentle readers: almost everyone can. Indeed, anyone who's ever been in love has experienced heartache, including Marilyn Monroe. And Halle Berry. And the commander-in-chief of Alaska. So lick those wounds, broken-hearted beauties, and learn a few lessons from some of the rich and famous who've been through the ringer and managed to survive.

Lesson 1: If you want to make your ex embarrassed and un-datable
You should: Publicly tarnish his name
Learn from: The Palin women
According to Bonnie Fuller over at HuffPo, the Palin women are expert ex-trashers. Bristol reportedly referred to baby-daddy Levi's family as "white trash," while Sarah tried to use her power as governor to get her sister's ex-husband fired from his position as a state trooper. No doubt they both felt some post-break-up satisfaction from their actions. But before you run out and copy the Palins, be forewarned: their tactics can backfire. After all was said and done,Sarah's sister Molly found herself and her family being warned by divorce Judge John Suddock to stop "disparaging" her ex's reputation or risk losing custody of the kids.


Lesson 2: If you want to end the relationship (but not really)
You should: Break up and reunite so often that the phrase "break-up" becomes meaningless
Learn from: Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer
Jen and John have broken up so many times that we sometime forget from day to day whether they're about to get married or move to separate continents. In the past year alone, we've heard them tell the press that they're "not dating," watched them sitting hand-in-hand at the Oscars, seen reports of him making out with other women, read about him serenading her on her 40th birthday, and been bombarded with announcements saying they're totally over. We know it's hard to call it quits. We do. But if you're breaking up this often, it's hard for anyone to take you seriously as either a couple or an individual.

Lesson 3: If you want to show your ex what a fool he is
You should: Nab a spot on Dancing With The Stars
Learn from: Melissa Rycroft
Melissa Rycroft was dumped on national TV by Bachelor Jason Mesnick. But she settled the score on national TV as well, when she won the sympathies of the public and sashayed into greater fame and recognition than Jason ever could have hoped for with her appearance on Dancing With The Stars. A favorite with audiences and judges, Melissa is proving that living (and dancing) well is undeniably the best revenge.

Photo: Splash News