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Celebrity Divorce

Learn the Past Progressive Tense

Date: Feb 21 2012

Themes: Romance

Grammar: Past Progressive Tense

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In the US, about 40% of marriages end in the divorce. That’s a lot. But it seems like divorce is even more common among celebrities. Nearly every time you pick up a tabloid, there’s a headline about a couple splitting up on its cover. Whether it’s because of their busy careers, the pressures of fame, or the temptation of being constantly surrounded by other attractive people, it sometimes seems like famous people just can’t manage to stay married. Hear Marni and Mason talk about celebrity divorce.

Dialog

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Marni

Mason

Marni: Mason, I was looking at this tabloid, and Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are on the cover, and they’re soon to be divorced.

Mason: I didn’t peg them for a divorced couple. Like, there were definitely plenty that I’m like, yeah, that’s not gonna last. But I thought they had something going.

Marni: It seems like there’s been a rash of celebrity divorces recently, and specifically J Lo, I think, has had her fair share of relationships, but I won’t go there. You know, does it seem like celebrities in general just can’t make a marriage last? Is it harder on them because they’re celebrities?

Mason: I always assume so, just because I think marriage is hard work for pretty much everybody. I don’t know, you may think I’m not romantic saying that, but I generally believe that acknowledging that it’s not all fluffy rainbows and unicorns, you’ll probably have a better success rate. But celebrities don’t necessarily have to commit to one person, and do things that are hard.

Marni: OK. Sure, you know, and some people have to stay in marriages because they sort of feel like they have no choice, if you’re not rich and famous. But it could be just because they’re celebrities, the nature of that is that we’re hearing about them. You know, perhaps it’s just indicative of divorce rates in general in the United States.

Mason: It’s just like there’s a philosophical shift that’s happened in our lifetimes and our parents’ lifetimes around, like, personal happiness and self-fulfillment rather than, like, self-sacrifice and commitment and sticking together. Yeah, people care about different stuff.

Marni: Yeah, absolutely. And celebrities, you know…who more than celebrities are into pleasing themselves and their own personal happiness.

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Discussion

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Marni and Mason are surprised to learn of yet another celebrity divorce. Marni says it seems like celebrities just can’t manage to stay married. But she wonders if marriage in general is becoming too difficult for people. Maybe it just seems like celebrities get divorced more than average people because their divorces are always on the covers of tabloids.

Mason says that divorce has become more common in general. People are less willing to do the hard work it takes to maintain a committed relationship. They’re more interested in their personal happiness than sacrificing themselves for others. Marni agrees, but she thinks celebrities might be even more self-centered than the average person.

Why do you think divorce has become more common recently? Do you think it’s harder for celebrities to stay married than average people? Why?

Comments

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timchangbest

United States

Marni’s got a point. People with money have more choices.

candycandice

Sweden

I think Mason got a point, with the statement that people are not willing to hold on to a committed relationship. Then we have all these celebrity divorces. I never thought Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradise would divorce someday. Celebrities have it harder to stay in a relationship, because even if they don’t have any problems with their partners, the paparazzis and the gossip magazines reveals a lot about their life, which result is no private life. I believe that’s why we keep hear famous people separate. Sometimes it’s good to not be a celebrity after all.

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

Thank tutourheather for Some information ,its very sad whats it happened
Just a simple mistake could be disastrous consequences.
I wish if we knew how simple error cost.
Thank you for explaining the lesson,Two lessons we have learned today .

AppleRome

Indonesia

Aw thank you for the “late” lesson, Mrs. Heather! I just knew it!

I used to think “late” has same meaning with “latest” before :D hahaha

tutorheather

United States

Hi all!

It’s interesting that the topic of the late Princess of Wales has entered this discussion. I have admired Princess Diana since I was a child. I think I was ten when Diana and Prince Charles married. Their extravagant wedding was broadcast all over the world, which was a treat.

Diana married Charles at quite a young age; if I recall, she was 19 and he was in his early 30s. She was shy and innocent, and quickly fell in love with Charles. On the contrary, Prince Charles was not really in love with Diana. He was merely under pressure to have children; his mother, Queen Elizabeth, was forcing him to quickly find a suitable bride who would be a good mother.

As the saying goes, Diana “fit the bill”perfectly. She met all of the Queen’s requirements; Diana was young, innocent, quiet, pretty and born to a reputable family. Over time, Princess Diana gave birth to two sons, so Charles gained the heirs that he was expected to produce. Charles no longer needed Diana and reportedly, he ignored her and treated her terribly. He was also secretly in love with the woman who is his current wife, Camilla.

All in all, it was a HUGE scandal and resembled a soap-opera.

Diana was truly special. After their lavish wedding, she devoted herself to children’s charities and constantly visited children who were sick and dying from various diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Princess Diana worked especially hard for a charity committed to helping children who had lost limbs due to land mine explosions. She would visit these children in their homelands and in hospitals, and would pile the children onto her lap and hug and kiss them. She wasn’t afraid to get dirty or hold a sick child. Unlike many other royals, she didn’t just shake hands and make donations.

Children and people from all over the world were entranced by her kindness. Her nickname was “the people’s princess” because she related to all people, rich or poor. Sadly, she became overwhelmed by the pressures of celebrity and royal life. Because she was so pretty, she was constantly followed by paparazzi.

Of course, Princess Diana was killed as a result of being chased by paparazzi. Her driver was intoxicated, and in addition to speeding, his carelessness and poor judgment cost Diana (and all but one of the other passengers) their lives.

I clearly remember hearing the news of her death. It was shocking and terribly sad. People from all over the world were in an endless state of mourning.

I hope that I have supplied some interesting information for the people who wanted to know more about Princess Diana.

As an English-related tip, in the first sentence I used the adjective “late” before Princess Diana’s name. You may use the world “late” before a person’s name to indicate that he or she has passed away. Make sure, however, that you only use “late” before someone’s name or their specific role or title. You cannot use “late” before the general word “woman,” for example.

For example:

The late Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired the fight for Civil Rights.

My late husband was a wonderful man.

The late U.S. President Ronald Reagan was actually a popular actor when he was a young man.

You cannot use it, though, to refer to a general person.

For example:

The late man’s funeral took place last Wednesday in a beautiful church with stained-glass windows.

Anyhow, this has been a nice discussion! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Heather

kotlesya

Belarus

tutorheather, hello and thank you for the feedback. It was very interesting for me to read about your childhood :(

I really hope you will never be by yourself here on English, baby! We all will be around you. :)

“Does anyone on here love to write – like poetry or fiction?” – I love to write poems and prose. I have got my own poems and prose in Russian. They are on my blog on other website, but not on English, baby! ;)

My English is very poor , hense I can’t write any poem and prose in English ( how I wish I could write in English like I do in Russian ;()

I adore to read poems, wise quotes, thoughts of people through the blogs they have got.

Join us, come regularly to talk.

All the best

AppleRome

Indonesia

I will definitely agree with this statement, Ryo..

“I believe that other women cant influence other woman a marriage if the Both lovers really love each others”

… if it really can be happened in real life :)

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

Parion

I’m too lazy because I want from you and your opinion
since you who mention already and dirctly (a woman can bring unhappiness to other woman …she can ruin other woman’s marriage ) but not midia who was talking here ofcause:)

I do not know the full story of Diana as I do not believe too much in media ,But I pity so much on Princess Diana ,I hope I know more things as I thought it was very a tragic story and i would like to know if there was Any kind of persecution Women , so then i can put commnet.

but out of the topic of diana ,and What im surprised and what does not make sense .

(this is like u say steal husband as The person in the shop for sale .

The idea that another woman may spoil the marriage for two people loving
, I think this will depend on lovers too, and thire realtionship how much strong .

But even if the relationship was strong, there may be things mysterious,

Lovers are more related to each other and much likely to know each others.

snoopyboy

Antarctica

: )

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

On the contrary, I am very happy you point out and experss about your opinion ,To know that girl who look for mony is not love.

Love is to love you

there is nothing but Only three characters
Y , O & U.

parion

Turkey

Ryo …why are you so lazy ??

ı posted it only example of celebrites divorce …

and I believe ,each divorce has its own ,different special and general reasons…

everything affects marriages…

ı copied story you wanted ,for you…

" They divorced in 1996 after Diana publicly accused Charles of having an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, and Charles admitted adultery on television. Diana died in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. In 2005, after a lengthy continued association, the Prince married Camilla…"" from Wikipedia.

olddog

China

for the basis of their divorce is the money ,fame, or right , what they want is not what god want them get.

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Ryo

Well, Ryo I don’t want to send a mixed-signal here, I’ll be dead wrong if I meant that all women drool over money.

Maybe I was wrong for making facts out of my own experiences, my friends’ and their friends’ : )

I hope my good-hearted women on here didn’t take offense to my comment.

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

parion

how other woman bring unhappiness to Princess Diana’s and run her marriage …?

i would like to know the story ;)

I believe that other women cant influence other woman a marriage if the Both lovers really love each others

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

Women are women-friendly that they feel what they feel and pian for what they pain and defend their rights.
Sometimes a man afraid of a clever woman intervention that could defend the rights for her wife;)

julito

Argentina

Hi again Heather, We are privileged that you,an ex.Harvard graduate and english teacher is contributing in an unselfless way to help us to achieve our goals to be able to communicate in english. As you have previously stated, Ebaby is a global commmunity with the sole drive to learn and meet new friends around the world ,and now you are one of them

parion

Turkey

they said " enemy of woman is other woman" :)

when ı have read Princess Diana’s marriage story ,last night,I thought it can be true.

a woman can bring unhappiness to other woman …she can ruin other woman’s marriage …

Lesya ,You are right % 100..wonderful narration..

Tutorheather ,you are right % 100..other wonderful narration ..

:)))

tutorheather,you will see, this community has all kind of people, wonderful writters,poets, :)))

Ryo

Saudi Arabia

To earn money and then her heart ?

ofcause this if u want girl dont love you

In fact there is something that some people may blame some women to choose money , but sometimes its More correct (must blame culture.)
For example,

in our cultureits and some countrys ,its commen that girl ask for money
and man asks for beauty and honer.

But not all women here asking for money; Because i think most women here think they should just marry Anyone, same they dont care about money sometimes and they who are richer than her husband .

but the culture and secorty who more teach girls that stupid thing to rely in man . so some rote are stile in even others country.

The man also must blamed for caring so much about honer;

and more( corrcet society and culture\)

and I know that some men even in Europe interested in Virgin women ; what kind this?

love ? its more corrcet hate

tutorheather

United States

Hi Lesya!

I am so happy you said hello.

I really respect that you’re here for the pure love of language. That is certainly why I started teaching English. I was a very sick child and couldn’t go to school until I was close to high school age. I was by myself constantly, so I developed an incredible love for reading, both English and French. In fact, my studies saved my life. I could have become a very sad, lonely kid because I was so isolated, but the love for learning kept me happy even through constant surgeries, pain and hospital stays.

I always hoped I could help others who feel the same way. Of course I teach and tutor to support myself, but love to contribute as much as I can just for the love of English. It really inspires me to meet people like yourself who are genuinely thirsty for knowledge.

I am thinking of posting (on my blog) some incredible passages from English literature. People who truly love the language might enjoy the poetry that can come from even the most basic of sentences. I am trying to post several days a week, if not daily. I enjoy reading other’s blogs, too.

Does anyone on here love to write – like poetry or fiction?

Heather

kotlesya

Belarus

tutorheather, greetings. I appreciate your opinion. You needn’t be sorry. Eveyrthing is OK.

Do you know why I’m here on this website?

Actually English language will never be used anywhere in my life. I don’t need it at my work etc. I just love this language since my childhood ( I can’t even explain why do I love English. I just love it!) and I would like to travel one day. So this site helps me to combine my hobby and my dream.

I love the possibility eBaby gives me. The possibility to meet people all over the world, the possibility of mental travelling and the possibility to read different viewpoints on the forums.

Best wishes.