Kaiser and I were just gossiping yesterday about how we hoped someone would break up so we’d have something to write about. Then Mel and sugar tits called it quits and Larry King and his umpteenth wife filed for divorce and we thought our mean prayers were answered with couples that we didn’t care about anyway. Unfortunately one couple we never expected to split also announced their demise – Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels. Etheridge, 48, and Micheals, 35, have who have two biological children together, twins Miller Steven, a son, and Johnny Rose, a daughter, both 3 and a half, and and are raising Etheridge’s older two children, Bailey, 13, and Beckett, 11, from her relationship with ex partner Julie Cypher. Etheridge and Michaels were never legally married as they missed the window of opportunity before Prop 8 was passed, although they had a commitment ceremony in 2003 that was just like a traditional wedding.
Melissa and Tammy Etheridge have ended their nearly nine-year relationship.
“Melissa and Tammy Etheridge are saddened to announce that they are now separated,” Melissa’s rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.
The former couple add in a statement: “We ask for consideration and respect for our family as we go through this difficult period.”
Melissa, 48, and Tammy (formerly Tammy Lynn Michaels) exchanged vows in Malibu in September 2003.
Tammy, 35, gave birth to their children – son Miller and daughter Johnnie Rose – in 2006, after Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.
Etheridge is also mom two children, Bailey, 13, and Beckett, 11, with former partner Julie Cypher.
[From People]
This just makes me sad. I remember seeing a video, below, in which Melissa and Tammy discussed their relationship and wedding. They seemed so in sync and in love, but like so many other couples it sounds like life got in the way. I’m thinking we’re about to hear more about this and that another person may be involved, but that’s just the cynic in me.
am guessing Melissa is the one that cheated
@ bite me:
I dunno, do you think Melissa is going to want to start all over again, after all that time with Julie, and then the cancer, and then all that time with Tammy? I guess I would have figured Tammy is younger and would be more restless.
I wonder if we will ever know???? As they say, “Stay tuned.”
I read Tammy’s blog. A month or so ago there were signs that something was happening on that front, but then after a day or so, she deleted the entry. 🙁 I’m so sad about this.
i might be remembering this incorrectly, but didn’t Melissa leave Julie to be with Tammy
That’s sad, they seemed very happy together. Doubly sad because of the young kids involved. Hope they can stay on good terms for the kids.
I’m keeping my heart vested in Ellen and Portia. Everyone else always lets me down, but those two…I have high hopes. =)
No melissa didn’t leave julie, julie went back to being straight and left her.
Tammy came after.
Sad story though. Hope the best for them both.
On the selfish front – hey good tunes to follow!
Wow. Looks like 2010 will be the Year of the Split…..next!
CB you are bad luck! LOL
I love Melissa as an artist, but imagine she might be a bit taxing to live with.
It is always sad when a family breaks up, hopefully this one will not be filled with tabloid drama.
Nooo.
I liked them together. But come to thing about it, we haven’t seen them make an appearance in a long time. 🙁
I loved Tammy Lynn as the villain Nicole on the WB show “Popular”. When she starting dating Melissa Etheridge that was surprising, but I thought they made a lovely couple.
WHAT a bummer. They were so cute together, and I loved the way they’d talk about each other. These things happen, I guess. I do hope the best for them both as they’re both fantastic. 🙁
Aww this is so sad. I still remember Tammy as Nicole Julian though, god I loved that show!
Dammit, dammit!
I thought those two were settled for life. Tammy does not strike me as being one to stray. She seemed perfectly content staying at home and raising their kids.
Now Melissa on the other hand….she is a musician with lots of fans….gosh I hope not.
2010 – the year of the Breakup! Who’s next?
Hey Lindylou, didn’t see your comment. ITA
Okay, so that’s now 4 children from 2 separate relationships…and they say straight people are the ones who ruin the sanctity of marriage?
Before you attack, there’s some sarcasm there, as I generally agree that throughout the ages, it has been straight people who are doing the ruining. But look at the number of same-sex couples who have children, then switch teams (sometimes again), then have vicious custody battles over who’s best for the children. It’s just as awful for those children as it is for children of “traditional” couples to go through the trauma of a parental split.
Another breakup that the tabloids was blindsided about. Jim and Jenny, Susan and Tim, Kate and Sam, Sandy and Jesse etc. Where there is smoke there is fire not always. I hadn’t heard any rumors about relationship problems for any of these couples
It’s too bad that Melissa’s relationships keep not working out. I hope that changes for her in the future!
I believe sooner or later people get divorced. People confuse love with lust, and when the passion dies people think they have fallen out of love. It is an illusion to think you will be happyly together forever.
@ bellaluna:
“It’s just as awful for those children as it is for children of “traditional” couples to go through the trauma of a parental split.”
Yeah, so? What’s your point?
bellaluna. of course it’s just as hard for their kids too. what’s that got to do with anything?
@ Jeane & violet:
My point is, not only hetero couples are destroying the sanctity of relationships, despite what many like to believe. I bear no ill will towards anyone in any relationship, and I believe same-sex couples should have the right to wed. But I also believe they should pursue couples counselling, especially when children are involved.
Sad face.
Ellen and Portia had better not split up- they are my fav gay couple.
@bellaluna
“My point is, not only hetero couples are destroying the sanctity of relationships, despite what many like to believe.”
That is nonsense, I’m sorry. There are not “many” people, if any at all, who believe that.
That issue was raised ONLY as a COUNTERARGUMENT against people who claimed that same-sex marriage would destroy the sanctity of marriage. Gay rights advocates then pointed out that heterosexual people get divorced all the time, they can get married to a total stranger in Vegas, there are paid marriages for greencards etc. thus arguing that the “sanctity” of heterosexual marriage has long been compromised and cannot be brought up as a valid argument against same sex marriage.
I don’t think there is anyone who needs to be convinced that gay relationships are NOT better than straight ones! I wish we lived in a world where as many people would believe that as you think they do! Same sex marriage would no longer be an issue. Good on you though, for supporting gay rights.
Marriage is a commitment between two people. In the faith of love. People. Gay straight, black white. People. Everyone has the right in their heart to live and care for another, “the pursuit of happiness”. I hope the gender issue of marriage goes away in my life time. I come from a broken home and am divorced. No one should be denied the right to marry the person they love.
Geez, they are such a beautiful family. I hope they can work it out. nine years together is a long time.
The children I am sure are VERYYYYYYYY well taken care of and loved. I am sure they will be just fine through all of this. I know several gay families and their children are veryyyy lucky, well rounded, the best schools, excellent educations, loving commited parents.. amazingly awesome.. truly
Post 23 – wow, very well said.. 🙂
i can’t belive this.i looked up to them n all .they were so good together.im gutted for them.its a pity things didnt work out.i hope they get back together.ellen and portia better not break up or il stop believing gay people can be happy all together.anyways hope everything stays civil between melissa and tammy.
I think Melissa has left the nest….I think Tammy is heartbroken and never saw it coming. Melissa is singing like she did 20 years ago, maybe mid life crisis…
These are two Hollywood celebrities, although Melissa is the more famous.
Melissa is a complex person -spiritual,
creative, enormous talent, yet she is human. Tammy was young when she agreed to become a mother, now, maybe she realizes that Melissa still wants to tour and she has given up an acting career. With the age difference comes a lack of maturity on Tammy’s part, seen on her Hollywood Farmgirl blog.
When Melissa was trying to negotiate/understand Pastor Rick (whose congregation does not allow gays), Tammy was calling him a “dick head” and using the f-word in her writings.
Her response to this kind of language was typical of a teenager…the usual,
I’ll say what I want, when I want..that’s me. That was a couple of years ago, and I “saw the proverbial writing on the wall.”
People can grow apart on many levels.
I wish them both luck. Money and fame can be both a blessing and a curse.
Melissa, first class act. Songs with words that heal, first class words.
Now, here are the words from Tammy’s blog. Who would want to live with Tammy in the sewer?
******
i think you’re saying it’s okay
to be more open now on this blog?
whew.
good. cuz sitting on the fence of
“speak true”
and
“say nothing”
fucking rides a pole so far up my ass it nearly pierces my brain, and i can’t take it anymore, now that i am back home where people don’t live in the smoke and mirrors.
****
On Melissa’s forum, no one is allowed to use the f word. Obviously, Melissa wanted it that way….so, wasn’t she a bit ashamed at Tammy’s vulgarity?
What 35 year old, mother of two, would go on a national website and use vulgarity to this extent. She needs to grow up, perhaps this breakup will be an eye opener.
you can’t expect someone to sit home all the time and the other gone…Some people can do it and others can’t. So sorry for Melissa, but she needs someonemore her age and settled.
It’s really sad, I think. They seemed like the real deal. And no, people think that Melissa left Julie. But Julie left Melissa because she wanted to be with men again and didn’t think she was “gay”. In any event, it’s a bummer.
I could sit home all day and do. What a lovely lady to wait for. I would and could do it.