Shailene Woodley is shedding light on her breakup with Aaron Rodgers, nearly two years after their separation. In a recent interview with *Bustle*, the actress opened up about the emotional journey she has undergone since ending her engagement to the NFL star in early 2022.
During the discussion with Brightopis, Woodley, 32, reflected on her personal struggles and emotional healing while working on her role in “Three Women.” She described her experience of having a “broken heart” that has “healed and broken again” over time. Woodley admitted to repeatedly falling for “unavailable” partners, acknowledging a pattern in her relationships.
“I love easily and care easily, but I don’t love lightly, and I don’t care lightly,” Woodley shared. She elaborated on her journey to understand that she doesn’t need to “fix or heal” others, emphasizing the importance of protecting the deep care and love she holds for herself and those around her. This realization has helped her move forward without feeling the need to understand why things didn’t work out as she had hoped.
Woodley also revealed that she has become more discerning about the people she allows into her life. She is “not interested” in individuals who “cross” or “disrespect” her boundaries. Reflecting on her past, she noted that she used to be someone who would continue to give and give, but now she gracefully accepts and moves on from situations that no longer serve her. “I respectfully go, ‘Thank you so much for that information. Have a beautiful life. I wish you well,’” she said.
The actress and Rodgers began their relationship in 2020, with Rodgers publicly announcing their engagement. Woodley initially addressed their romance in 2021, humorously noting to Jimmy Fallon that she hadn’t anticipated ending up with someone who “throws balls for a living.” Despite the light-hearted tone at the time, the relationship took a serious turn, and the couple ended their engagement by early 2022.
Woodley previously described their breakup as the “darkest, hardest time” of her life in a January 2023 interview with Net-A-Porter. She noted that her personal life felt like a “big pain bubble” during the separation, but she found solace in her work, using it as a means to process her emotions and cope with the pain.
Since their split, Woodley has not publicly dated anyone, while Rodgers has reportedly been linked to model Mallory Edens. Woodley has shared that she still has aspirations for her future, including her desire to become a mother. However, she clarified that she does not place any rigid expectations on when or how these dreams should materialize. Instead, she focuses on cherishing the moments of joy and anticipation in her daily life. “I want to cook someone dinner every night and travel the world with them and have pillow talk and celebrate their joys and their purpose and their destinies,” she expressed. Each day, she embraces the excitement for the “magic and miracles” that life may bring.
Woodley’s candid reflections offer a poignant look at her emotional growth and personal resilience as she moves forward from a significant chapter in her life.
