Josh Duhamel has been candid about the factors that led to his 2019 divorce from singer Fergie, revealing that the demanding “Hollywood lifestyle” played a significant role in their separation. The actor, who shares an 11-year-old son, Axl Jack, with his ex-wife, has openly discussed his discomfort with the glitz and glamour that often comes with a high-profile entertainment career.
Duhamel, now remarried to Audra Mari and a father to a new baby boy, has often spoken about his desire for a simpler life away from the constant spotlight of Los Angeles. In a past interview, he admitted, “I don’t think I ever really got comfortable with all of it. It was just a lot. I just missed the simplicity of who I really am, you know?” He clarified that he’s “just not a guy who is comfortable going to red carpets, doing all the Hollywood stuff.”
While acknowledging the success and opportunities Hollywood has afforded him, Duhamel emphasized that the “Hollywood and L.A. and that whole lifestyle can suck the soul out of you if you’re not careful.” He explained that he needed to find outlets to feel grounded and purposeful, often turning to his roots in North Dakota.
Duhamel maintains that his split with Fergie was amicable, and they continue to have a great co-parenting relationship with “very little conflict.” He expressed that while they had a wonderful time together, they ultimately “outgrew each other and had very different interests.” His increasing desire to return to a more grounded life, which wasn’t aligned with Fergie’s aspirations, became a key divergence.
Despite the challenges of navigating a public divorce, Duhamel holds no hard feelings, stating, “I’m very lucky that she’s a kind human.” Their shared commitment to providing a stable and loving environment for their son, inspired by their own parents’ difficult divorces, has been a priority. This honest reflection from Josh Duhamel offers insight into the personal toll even successful careers can take on relationships, especially when differing desires for life’s simpler pleasures emerge.
