Reese Witherspoon has been divorced twice, but says the breakups were completely different thanks to her ability to “control” the situation the second time around.
“When I was divorced before, the tabloid media got to tell people how I was feeling or how I was processing, and it felt very out of control,” she told Harper’s Bazaar about the demise of her marriage to first husband Ryan Phillippe.
The “Legally Blonde” star, 47, told the magazine for their August cover story published Wednesday that her divorce from her second husband, Jim Toth, which they announced on Instagram in March, felt “more authentic.
“To be able to talk to people directly about what’s going on in my life and just share it in the way that I share great professional experiences or personal experiences, it feels much more authentic to be able to say things in my own voice and not let somebody else control what’s happening,” she explained.
She continued: “Then, of course, there’s speculation, but I can’t control that. All I can do is be my most honest, forthright self and be vulnerable.”
The “Big Little Lies” actress also said she doesn’t “feel isolated” as she navigates her separation from Toth, 52.
“I think about how many other people are going through this experience,” she told the publication. “I don’t feel isolated at all. I feel very connected.”
Witherspoon and Toth, who tied the knot in 2011 at her California ranch, called it quits four months ago after 12 years of marriage.
In their joint statement, the pair — who share 10-year-old son Tennessee — said the divorce was a “difficult” decision to make.
They noted that their “biggest priority” would remain the youngster, as well as their “entire family.”
Days later, Witherspoon officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
Meanwhile, the “Sweet Home Alabama” star and Phillippe, 48, announced their separation though their reps in October 2006 after seven years of marriage.
“We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate,” a rep for the duo said at the time. “They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time.”
The following month, Witherspoon filed the divorce paperwork and also cited irreconcilable differences.
Witherspoon and Phillippe share two kids: daughter Ava, 23, and son Deacon, 19.
The exes often spend time together, including celebrating Deacon’s graduation in June 2022, his birthday that October and his album release in April.
