Pop star Perrie Edwards and footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been together for eight years. In August 2021, Perrie gave birth to the couple’s first son, Axel, before they got engaged while on holiday the following year.
But now, the former Little Mix singer has revealed the reality of her long-distance relationship with Alex, explaining that the couple have never lived together.
Opening up on The Jonathan Ross Show, set to air this weekend, Perrie revealed that she has never lived with Alex.
Sharing that the pair had ‘never actually lived together’ in the entirety of their eight year relationship, Perrie said, ‘I can’t lie, it is hard. When he was playing for Liverpool and based in Manchester, it was so easy to do the back and forth, but Turkey is a little bit further and he doesn’t get a lot of time off.’
Alex is currently playing for a team based in Turkey, over 2,500 miles away from their home.
‘I’m trying to launch a solo career whilst having a two year old, so it is a lot to juggle. But we make it work for the ones we love, don’t we?’ she added.
Perrie also shared an insight into her relationship with the footballer while appearing on the talk show.
The singer said, ‘Full disclosure, me and my partner don’t argue. We’re very laid back and chilled. But at the same time, I can be a little bit of a petty b*tch.’
‘I don’t know whether it’s my star sign – cancer. I’m very stubborn, I’m very emotional but not in the best way. I will hold a grudge for anything he might say. I just can’t help the way I am, I’m just like that. But we just started writing a song about it, and I just thought the lyrics were super relatable.’
Other celebrities have revealed their decisions to live separately. Despite being married, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk have shared that they previously chose to live apart. Explaining that Brad would spend four nights a week at her place and the rest of the time in his own home, the Goop founder said in 2019, 'All my married friends say that the way we live sounds ideal and we shouldn't change a thing.'
Likewise, actor Helena Bonham Carter infamously lived separately from her director partner Tim Burton in their 13 year relationship, owning houses next door to each other. 'We see as much of each other as any couple, but our relationship is enhanced by knowing we have our personal space to retreat to.'
'It's not enforced intimacy. It's chosen, which is quite flattering - if you can afford it.'
In fact, it was estimated by the Census Bureau in 2022 that 2.95% of married couples in America were living apart. The trend is becoming so popular that there’s even a name to describe it: living apart together.
Charlotte Roberts is a News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia, writing interviews and features around everything pop culture.