High-profile victims of the Oscar curse!

01 March, 2013

Even though the Oscars have come and gone - just like in the past, this year too, there were hits and misses. Funnily, Oscars, films, actors, and their relationship with each are all inter-connected. Within this context, ever heard of the Oscar love curse? Many are not aware of this age-old myth but it is said that whoever wins the Oscar for Best Actress/Supporting Actress will end up losing their partner soon.

The curse has affected the love lives of actresses who have won the coveted golden statuette, with either their husband/boyfriend leaving them or cheating on them! Many high-profile stars have fallen prey to the Oscar curse. From Julia Roberts to Halle Berry to Sandra Bullock, all had their beaus cheating on them. What a price to pay for an Oscar.

According to a research study, a massive 60 per cent of Best Actress winners got divorced after going home with an Oscar - it's true! Winning is always not winning, and in this case winning an Oscar is like kissing good-bye to your beau. Here’s a look at some of the high-profile victims of the Oscar 'love curse.'

1) Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James

Won Oscar for: The Blind Side, 2010; but lost husband Jesse James to a tattoo model. He was found publicly cheating on her with the model, weeks after winning the Oscar. Quite a low for both and indeed one of the most heartbreaking stories.

2) Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes
Won Oscar for: The Reader, 2009; divorced husband Sam Mendes in 2010.

3) Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson and James Payton
Won Oscar for: Dreamgirls, 2007; and dumped longtime boyfriend James Payton

4) Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe
Won Oscar for: Walk The Line, 2006; split with husband Ryan Philippe in 2007

5) Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend
Won Oscar for: Monster, 2004; parted ways from longtime boyfriend Stuart Townsend after thanking him ‘for standing by her’ in her acceptance speech.

6) Renée Zellweger

Renee Zellweger with Jack White
Won Oscar for: Cold Mountain, 2004; lost longtime boyfriend Jack White

7) Halle Berry

Halle Berry and Eric Benet
Won Oscar for: Monster’s Ball, 2002; she called husband Eric Benet ‘the joy of her life’ but the joy wasn’t long enough as the couple split after reports of Benet’s sex addiction issues.

8) Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt
Won Oscar for: Erin Brockovich, 2001; broke up with boyfriend of four years Benjamin Bratt just three months after winning the award.

9) Hilary Swank

Hillary Swank and Chad Lowe
Won Oscar for: Boys Don’t Cry (2000) and Million Dollar Baby (2005); split from husband Chad Lowe, whom she had called “her everything” during her acceptance speech, in 2006.

10) Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt and Hank Azaria
Won Oscar for: As Good as It Gets, 1997; she called the then boyfriend Hank Azaria “the very best man I know” in her acceptance speech but after six months of marrying him the best man got a divorce from Hunt.