Kelly Brook has opened up about the real reason she ended her long-term relationship with ex-fiancé Jason Statham, reflecting on the difficult decision she made after seven years together. The pair, who began dating in 1997, were one of the most talked-about celebrity couples of the early 2000s, eventually becoming engaged before separating in 2004.
Brook, now 45 and preparing to enter the I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle, spoke candidly about the breakup during a recent appearance on the podcast How To Fail with Elizabeth Day. Statham, now 58 and one of Hollywood’s most bankable action stars, was still at the early stages of his career when the two moved to the United States.
Brook — who has been married to French-Italian model Jeremy Parisi since 2022 — said that leaving Statham was ultimately “the best decision” she could have made, even though the relationship had once been central to her life.
‘I Fell Out of Love’ — Brook Reflects on the Move to America
Brook explained that although her early career was thriving in the UK, she put everything on hold to support Statham when opportunities began opening up for him across the Atlantic.
“In my first relationship, there were definitely elements of co-dependency and me putting my life and career on hold,” she said.
Before relocating, Brook had a successful role hosting a daily programme on MTV, but she voluntarily stepped away from it when Statham began receiving auditions and offers in the US.
“I quit my job and we went [to America]. I was there as a support network for him and watched his career flourish, whereas mine floundered because I didn’t have the same opportunities.”
The decision took a toll on her personally and professionally. Brook described “exhausting” travel between Los Angeles and the UK, with constant flights becoming financially and emotionally draining. While she was proud of Statham’s growing success, she admitted she felt increasingly sidelined.
“It was the most incredible thing watching him become a Hollywood A-lister,” she said, “but I felt so neglected.”
Brook recently admitted she 'fell out of love' with her ex-fiancé (Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
Why the Relationship Ended
Brook revealed that she eventually fell out of love because the relationship had become unbalanced. She felt she had supported Statham through every step of his journey, but that he did not reciprocate when she needed him most.
“He didn’t show up for me the way I showed up for him,” she explained.
When she decided to end things, Statham was reportedly stunned.
“He turned round to me and said, ‘Why are you leaving now? I’m a movie star and a millionaire — why now?’ And I said, ‘You haven’t been there for me. I’ve become a woman and I don’t think you know who I am anymore.’”
Brook described the breakup as “a really hard time” but maintained it was the right choice for her growth, identity, and future.
Brook will soon grace our screens as a campmate on IAC (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
Preparing for I’m A Celeb and Looking Ahead
Ahead of joining the I’m A Celebrity cast this year, Brook admitted she had previously doubted whether she was capable of handling the challenges and Bushtucker Trials. But her love for the show eventually pushed her to take the leap:
“I’m such a fan of the show. I thought, ‘Maybe I could do it, maybe I could cope’. I won’t know unless I try, so I’m going to throw myself into it.”
The new season of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! begins on Sunday, 16 November at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Representatives for Jason Statham have been contacted for comment.
Sources:
BBC News; The Independent; ITV; How To Fail with Elizabeth Day (Podcast); Radio Times
