Co-Parenting Confessions: How Celebrity Exes Make It Work for the Kids Post-Breakup

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Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick

Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian and their kids.Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram

While the pairended their nine-year relationshipin 2015, they’ve remained amicable co-parents over the years - evenjoking about having a fourth childtogether in the recentKeeping Up with the Kardashiansseason 19 finale.

In celebration of their sons Reign and Mason’s 6th and 11th birthdays, respectively, on Dec. 14, 2020, Disick expressed his appreciation for Kourtney on Instagram.

“I love u and our family more than anything in the world 🌎,” he added.

02of 22Scott Disick & Kourtney KardashianDavid Becker/WireImageThe former couple sat down to talk parenting in an April 2019video for Kardashian’s lifestyle brand, Poosh.“I think the hardest part [of co-parenting] was when we both started new relationships,” said Kardashian, who split with boyfriend Younes Bendjima in 2018, while Disick began seeing then-girlfriend Sofia Richie in 2017. " ‘Cause that caused fights between you and I about introducing the kids … We had to literally go to therapy to talk … to even get through … to be able to communicate together.“Later in the video, the pair revealed that they’ve been able to share parenting duties without getting attorneys involved. “We just did it on our own, came up with our own schedule of what made the most sense with the kids,” Kardashian said.“I think we also knew that if we ever got into something like that, I don’t think you and I would have the relationship that we have,” Disick added. “That’s huge. I don’t know that other people have what we have - they’re fighting with each other and they’re not looking to compromise, they’re not looking to make exceptions or work with each other and the only way they can go is the legal route … I think we are very, very, very lucky how we have everything.”

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Scott Disick & Kourtney Kardashian

David Becker/WireImage

The former couple sat down to talk parenting in an April 2019video for Kardashian’s lifestyle brand, Poosh.

“I think the hardest part [of co-parenting] was when we both started new relationships,” said Kardashian, who split with boyfriend Younes Bendjima in 2018, while Disick began seeing then-girlfriend Sofia Richie in 2017. " ‘Cause that caused fights between you and I about introducing the kids … We had to literally go to therapy to talk … to even get through … to be able to communicate together.”

Later in the video, the pair revealed that they’ve been able to share parenting duties without getting attorneys involved. “We just did it on our own, came up with our own schedule of what made the most sense with the kids,” Kardashian said.

“I think we also knew that if we ever got into something like that, I don’t think you and I would have the relationship that we have,” Disick added. “That’s huge. I don’t know that other people have what we have - they’re fighting with each other and they’re not looking to compromise, they’re not looking to make exceptions or work with each other and the only way they can go is the legal route … I think we are very, very, very lucky how we have everything.”

03of 22Kylie Jenner & Travis ScottTravis Scott, Kylie Jenner.Kylie Jenner/instagramAfter Jenner shared a fewsteamy photoswith exTravis Scottin late October 2020, fans were wondering if the two have gotten back together - but a source told PEOPLE that’s not the case.“There’s a lot of love between Travis and Kylie, and they’re even openly affectionate,” the insider said. “But they’re not back togetherand neither is in a place to be in a committed relationship.“The source said that Jenner and Scott, who share daughterStormi Webster, have “both been dating here and there and are mature about that.“For now, the former couple are “really happy co-parenting Stormi and are on the same page about raising their daughter.”

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Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott

Travis Scott, Kylie Jenner.Kylie Jenner/instagram

After Jenner shared a fewsteamy photoswith exTravis Scottin late October 2020, fans were wondering if the two have gotten back together - but a source told PEOPLE that’s not the case.

“There’s a lot of love between Travis and Kylie, and they’re even openly affectionate,” the insider said. “But they’re not back togetherand neither is in a place to be in a committed relationship.”

The source said that Jenner and Scott, who share daughterStormi Webster, have “both been dating here and there and are mature about that.”

For now, the former couple are “really happy co-parenting Stormi and are on the same page about raising their daughter.”

04of 22Cheryl & Liam PayneDavid M. Benett/Getty ImagesThe singers welcomed son Bear Grey in March 2017, and announced their breakup in June 2018 after more than two years together.“Listen, she’s a fantastic mom, I can’t complain. She’s absolutely awesome,“Payne said of raising a sonwith his ex on an October 2019 episode ofThe Jonathan Ross Show. “She doesn’t get onto me when I’m at work and doing different things - she understands. You know, we did the very same job so it’s not that different for us.“Cheryl previously discussed their individual parenting styles withThe Telegraph, telling the newspaper, “I’m the strict one; Liam isn’t. I’ll be the one saying, ‘Just one square of chocolate,’ but Bear is so good. If I get cross with him he puts his little hands on my face and looks into my eyes to see if I’m deadly serious or a tiny bit cross, and it melts my heart. [Liam is] much softer than me. But it is what it is, and I’m okay about it.”

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Cheryl & Liam Payne

David M. Benett/Getty Images

The singers welcomed son Bear Grey in March 2017, and announced their breakup in June 2018 after more than two years together.

“Listen, she’s a fantastic mom, I can’t complain. She’s absolutely awesome,“Payne said of raising a sonwith his ex on an October 2019 episode ofThe Jonathan Ross Show. “She doesn’t get onto me when I’m at work and doing different things - she understands. You know, we did the very same job so it’s not that different for us.”

Cheryl previously discussed their individual parenting styles withThe Telegraph, telling the newspaper, “I’m the strict one; Liam isn’t. I’ll be the one saying, ‘Just one square of chocolate,’ but Bear is so good. If I get cross with him he puts his little hands on my face and looks into my eyes to see if I’m deadly serious or a tiny bit cross, and it melts my heart. [Liam is] much softer than me. But it is what it is, and I’m okay about it.”

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Kate Hudson, Matt Bellamy & Chris Robinson

Kate Hudson/Instagram

Hudson is mom to daughter Rani Rose with boyfriend Danny Fujikawa, as well as son Bingham Hawn with ex-fiancé Matt Bellamy and son Ryder Russell with ex-husband Chris Robinson. The actress revealed how she makes herblended family workon a March 2019 episode of theDivorce Sucks! With Laura Wasserpodcast.

“Kids are not only incredibly intelligent, but eventually they can make their mind up themselves. They will see with their own eyes whatever needs to be seen and they need to come to that on their own terms. It’s not our place to tell them how to feel about the other parents,” Hudson added. “Your child wasn’t in that relationship. Your child’s in a different relationship with their father. You need to support that relationship.”

06of 22Nick Cannon & Mariah CareyFilmMagicDuring a visit to PEOPLE Now,Cannon talked about co-parentingtwins Monroe and Moroccan after his 7-year marriage to Carey ended. “Luckily I’ve been blessed to share this experience with someone I really admire and have so much respect for. And I think the feeling is mutual,” he shared. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to be a little selfless. You have to say ‘It’s not about us. This didn’t work out quite how we wanted it to but look at the amazing blessing that we have in these wonderful children.’ So you kinda put everything else to the side and really focus.”

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Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey

FilmMagic

During a visit to PEOPLE Now,Cannon talked about co-parentingtwins Monroe and Moroccan after his 7-year marriage to Carey ended. “Luckily I’ve been blessed to share this experience with someone I really admire and have so much respect for. And I think the feeling is mutual,” he shared. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to be a little selfless. You have to say ‘It’s not about us. This didn’t work out quite how we wanted it to but look at the amazing blessing that we have in these wonderful children.’ So you kinda put everything else to the side and really focus.”

07of 22Rachel Bilson & Hayden ChristensenMichael Buckner/GettyBilson and Christensen dated for 10 years before splitting in September 2017, and the two share daughter Briar Rose. “We’re still kind of trying to figure it out,” she told PEOPLE of their “work in progress” co-parenting dynamic with Briar. “It’s a tricky one. And I don’t know that there is any right way, necessarily.““We say Mommy has a house and Daddy has a house but she’s pretty young to have an in-depth conversation,” continuedThe O.C.alum. “Most important for me is that Briar is okay and secure and stable. Nomatter what I’m dealing withor how much it hurts or how much anger there is, it’s just about her.”

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Rachel Bilson & Hayden Christensen

Michael Buckner/Getty

Bilson and Christensen dated for 10 years before splitting in September 2017, and the two share daughter Briar Rose. “We’re still kind of trying to figure it out,” she told PEOPLE of their “work in progress” co-parenting dynamic with Briar. “It’s a tricky one. And I don’t know that there is any right way, necessarily.”

“We say Mommy has a house and Daddy has a house but she’s pretty young to have an in-depth conversation,” continuedThe O.C.alum. “Most important for me is that Briar is okay and secure and stable. Nomatter what I’m dealing withor how much it hurts or how much anger there is, it’s just about her.”

08of 22Channing Tatum & Jenna DewanEthan Miller/GettyThe couple, who split amicably in April 2018 following nine years of marriage, is handling their “new normal where there is a lot of love,” Dewan toldHarper’s Bazaarabout co-parenting with Tatum. “We’re just getting used to it. We’re in a very positive energy together, trying to be the best parents to Everly. We support each other.”

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Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan

Ethan Miller/Getty

The couple, who split amicably in April 2018 following nine years of marriage, is handling their “new normal where there is a lot of love,” Dewan toldHarper’s Bazaarabout co-parenting with Tatum. “We’re just getting used to it. We’re in a very positive energy together, trying to be the best parents to Everly. We support each other.”

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Paula Patton & Robin Thicke

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10of 22Anna Faris & Chris PrattKevin Winter/Getty ImagesThe actors decided topart waysin 2017 after eight years of marriage. “We are great and there’s so much friendship and love, and we surround Jack with love, and funny, kind, happy people, and as a result, he is really happy,“Faris toldExtraabout sharing their son. “We constantly reinforce what a great kid he is,” she added toE! News. “[We] try to discpline when he’s being a little bit naughty. I think the key is surrounding him with a lot of joy and happiness, which he has a ton of.”

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Anna Faris & Chris Pratt

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The actors decided topart waysin 2017 after eight years of marriage. “We are great and there’s so much friendship and love, and we surround Jack with love, and funny, kind, happy people, and as a result, he is really happy,“Faris toldExtraabout sharing their son. “We constantly reinforce what a great kid he is,” she added toE! News. “[We] try to discpline when he’s being a little bit naughty. I think the key is surrounding him with a lot of joy and happiness, which he has a ton of.”

11of 22Naomi Watts & Liev SchreiberC Flanigan/FilmMagicOne year after his 11-year relationship with Naomi Watts came to an end, Schreiber told Sunday TODAY host Willie Geist ina 2018 interviewkeeping a friendship with Watts is a priority for the sake of their children.“It’s important to support each other,” he said. “I was making some jokes at breakfast about Mommy with the boys and their eyes light up when I talk about her. You can see how important it is to them that their parents care about each other.”

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Naomi Watts & Liev Schreiber

C Flanigan/FilmMagic

One year after his 11-year relationship with Naomi Watts came to an end, Schreiber told Sunday TODAY host Willie Geist ina 2018 interviewkeeping a friendship with Watts is a priority for the sake of their children.

“It’s important to support each other,” he said. “I was making some jokes at breakfast about Mommy with the boys and their eyes light up when I talk about her. You can see how important it is to them that their parents care about each other.”

12of 22Jennie Garth & Peter FacinelliGary Gershoff/WireImageThe actors have remained close sincedivorcing in 2013, evenvacationing together with their significant others and daughtersin Cancún, Mexico. Though they may have the whole co-parenting thing down, Facinelli toldLaPalmemagazine that it wasn’t always easy for the actors to navigate their post-marital life as they do now. “Once a break up happens you need to go through the healing process first,” theSupergirlstar explained. “Love is blind and hindsight is 20/20.““People come into your life for a reason and relationships can change and just because we aren’t living together, doesn’t mean you can’t love each other,” he continued. “I think once, there was a time where we had to learn that we had to be able to move forward with love and respect.”

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Jennie Garth & Peter Facinelli

Gary Gershoff/WireImage

The actors have remained close sincedivorcing in 2013, evenvacationing together with their significant others and daughtersin Cancún, Mexico. Though they may have the whole co-parenting thing down, Facinelli toldLaPalmemagazine that it wasn’t always easy for the actors to navigate their post-marital life as they do now. “Once a break up happens you need to go through the healing process first,” theSupergirlstar explained. “Love is blind and hindsight is 20/20.”

“People come into your life for a reason and relationships can change and just because we aren’t living together, doesn’t mean you can’t love each other,” he continued. “I think once, there was a time where we had to learn that we had to be able to move forward with love and respect.”

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Sienna Miller & Tom Sturridge

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Despitecalling it quits in 2015, the exes - who share a child together, daughter Marlowe, “still love each other.”

“I think in a break-up somebody has to be a little bit cruel in order for it to be traditional, but it’s not been acrimonious in a way where you would choose to not be around that person,” Miller told Harper’s Bazaar. “We don’t live together, as has been reported recently, but we do half the time.” As for raising Marlowe, Miller said: “It’s great for our daughter that she has two parents who love each other and are friends.”

14of 22Ryan Phillippe & Reese WitherspoonJeffrey Mayer/WireImageThe actorsended their relationshipin 2006, after meeting shortly before filming 1999’sCruel Intentionstogether. Now, the two collaborate on raising kids Deacon and Ava. “You have to get to that point as a divorced parent, as any parent, where you’re not putting yourself first,” Phillippe, who is also dad to daughter Kai,toldEntertainment Tonightin November 2016. “You want the kids’ experience to be its own and not like, ‘Well, I need to have my time!’ We have been very good about that.” The actor went on to share that his family alternates where they celebrate the holidays: “As a divorced dad, we trade off. Last year, my kids and I went to my parents' in Delaware, this year they will be with their mom and I am shooting a movie up in Toronto. I am going to fly down to Philly and just have a Thanksgiving with my parents and the kids get to be with Reese.”

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Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

The actorsended their relationshipin 2006, after meeting shortly before filming 1999’sCruel Intentionstogether. Now, the two collaborate on raising kids Deacon and Ava. “You have to get to that point as a divorced parent, as any parent, where you’re not putting yourself first,” Phillippe, who is also dad to daughter Kai,toldEntertainment Tonightin November 2016. “You want the kids' experience to be its own and not like, ‘Well, I need to have my time!’ We have been very good about that.” The actor went on to share that his family alternates where they celebrate the holidays: “As a divorced dad, we trade off. Last year, my kids and I went to my parents' in Delaware, this year they will be with their mom and I am shooting a movie up in Toronto. I am going to fly down to Philly and just have a Thanksgiving with my parents and the kids get to be with Reese.”

15of 22Will Kopelman & Drew BarrymoreJim Spellman/WireImageThe couple wasofficially granted a divorcein August 2016 after four years of marriage. “Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family,“they announcedin a statement to PEOPLE. “Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority.” In October, the actress shared their secret to co-parentingdaughters Olive and Frankie: “I think plans, constant plans,” she revealed toEntertainment Tonight.“I woke up to an email from my children’s grandmother this morning, Coco, saying ‘I think for my birthday we’re going to do it on the 14th. Can you make that date? Because it’s not the same without you, I have to make sure that that date works for you.’ I feel honored that my children’s grandmother - her love and acceptance means the world to me. So you just be a family. Families are many different definitions in this day and age.”

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Will Kopelman & Drew Barrymore

Jim Spellman/WireImage

The couple wasofficially granted a divorcein August 2016 after four years of marriage. “Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family,“they announcedin a statement to PEOPLE. “Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority.” In October, the actress shared their secret to co-parentingdaughters Olive and Frankie: “I think plans, constant plans,” she revealed toEntertainment Tonight.“I woke up to an email from my children’s grandmother this morning, Coco, saying ‘I think for my birthday we’re going to do it on the 14th. Can you make that date? Because it’s not the same without you, I have to make sure that that date works for you.’ I feel honored that my children’s grandmother - her love and acceptance means the world to me. So you just be a family. Families are many different definitions in this day and age.”

16of 22Ben Affleck & Jennifer GarnerJim Spellman/WireImageThe actorsannounced their plansto divorce in June 2015 after 10 years of marriage. In March 2016, Affleck opened up toCBS This Morningabout co-parenting kids Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. “We’re doing our very best and we’re putting our kids first and that’s how we’re focusing on our day to day lives and we don’t know what the future’s going to hold, but each step that we take is one where we prioritize our children and everything else comes second,” he said, adding that his ex is “somebody that I admire and respect and remain excellent friends with.“OnTodayin August 2016, Garner discussed bringing her “modern family” on a European vacation. “Ben was working in London, onJustice League, and I felt like, ‘Well, the kids should have that experience.’ And he and I are great friends, and we just all went en masse,” she shared.

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Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner

The actorsannounced their plansto divorce in June 2015 after 10 years of marriage. In March 2016, Affleck opened up toCBS This Morningabout co-parenting kids Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. “We’re doing our very best and we’re putting our kids first and that’s how we’re focusing on our day to day lives and we don’t know what the future’s going to hold, but each step that we take is one where we prioritize our children and everything else comes second,” he said, adding that his ex is “somebody that I admire and respect and remain excellent friends with.“OnTodayin August 2016, Garner discussed bringing her “modern family” on a European vacation. “Ben was working in London, onJustice League, and I felt like, ‘Well, the kids should have that experience.’ And he and I are great friends, and we just all went en masse,” she shared.

17of 22Idina Menzel & Taye DiggsJason Merritt/WireimageThe former spouses of 11 years are parents to son Walker Nathaniel. “Your child comes first, that’s all,” the actresstold PEOPLE Nowabout raising Walker with Diggs. “It’s all about that. He comes first and you have to get past your own egos and you never talk bad about each other.” In 2015,Diggs explained to PEOPLEthat caring for Walker is the “main objective” for both parents. “He’s what’s most important for us, so we’re still there as a family. We were friends to start out with, but especially when you have a kid in the mix, there’s no time for any negativity,” he said.

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Idina Menzel & Taye Diggs

Jason Merritt/Wireimage

The former spouses of 11 years are parents to son Walker Nathaniel. “Your child comes first, that’s all,” the actresstold PEOPLE Nowabout raising Walker with Diggs. “It’s all about that. He comes first and you have to get past your own egos and you never talk bad about each other.” In 2015,Diggs explained to PEOPLEthat caring for Walker is the “main objective” for both parents. “He’s what’s most important for us, so we’re still there as a family. We were friends to start out with, but especially when you have a kid in the mix, there’s no time for any negativity,” he said.

18of 22Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris MartinColin Young-Wolff /Invision/APThe pairended their 10-year marriagein 2014, but remain close as co-parents to Apple and Moses. “We’re a family,“Paltrow saidduring a 2016Todayinterview. “Even though we’re not in a romantic relationship, we’re a true family and we like to do things to reinforce that we’re a family for the children and for each other. He’s like my brother. I’m very close to him.” Back in 2015, Paltrow candidly admitted that co-parenting wasn’t always easy. “It’s definitely imperfect but it gets easier with time and you know, we’re really good friends,“she said at the #BlogHer15 conference. “[Martin is] a great dad and so, I feel lucky that we both, along the way, have been able to really put down our own stuff while we’re together with the family and that we make it a priority to be together so that the transition for the children wasn’t, you know, as brutal as it could be.”

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Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin

Colin Young-Wolff /Invision/AP

The pairended their 10-year marriagein 2014, but remain close as co-parents to Apple and Moses. “We’re a family,“Paltrow saidduring a 2016Todayinterview. “Even though we’re not in a romantic relationship, we’re a true family and we like to do things to reinforce that we’re a family for the children and for each other. He’s like my brother. I’m very close to him.” Back in 2015, Paltrow candidly admitted that co-parenting wasn’t always easy. “It’s definitely imperfect but it gets easier with time and you know, we’re really good friends,“she said at the #BlogHer15 conference. “[Martin is] a great dad and so, I feel lucky that we both, along the way, have been able to really put down our own stuff while we’re together with the family and that we make it a priority to be together so that the transition for the children wasn’t, you know, as brutal as it could be.”

19of 22Ashlee Simpson & Pete WentzCHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images"We both realize that we’re parents and we’re in it for our kid, and that’s made it really easy,“the rocker said onWatch What Happens Liveabout raising son Bronx Mowgli with ex-wife Simpson. “As a mom, she’s awesome. She’s an awesome mom and we get along really well when it comes to our kid now.”

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Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz

CHANCE YEH/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

“We both realize that we’re parents and we’re in it for our kid, and that’s made it really easy,“the rocker said onWatch What Happens Liveabout raising son Bronx Mowgli with ex-wife Simpson. “As a mom, she’s awesome. She’s an awesome mom and we get along really well when it comes to our kid now.”

20of 22Jewel & Ty MurrayEthan Miller/Getty"It’s going good with me and [Kase]’s mom. She and I always think of Kase first. It’s been great, it truly has. I feel really fortunate and lucky for that,“Murray told PEOPLEin October 2014 after the ex couple announced their plans to end their six-year union. In May 2016, Jewel shared that raising their son together does come with some challenges. “It’s work. I don’t want people to think it’s effortless - it’s work to do this because you obviously don’t get a divorce because things are going well,“she told PEOPLE. “But it’s letting those things live in the past … [It means] realizing you’re in a relationship forever, so learning to treat one another with respect and dignity and just doing the right thing for Kase.”

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Jewel & Ty Murray

“It’s going good with me and [Kase]’s mom. She and I always think of Kase first. It’s been great, it truly has. I feel really fortunate and lucky for that,“Murray told PEOPLEin October 2014 after the ex couple announced their plans to end their six-year union. In May 2016, Jewel shared that raising their son together does come with some challenges. “It’s work. I don’t want people to think it’s effortless - it’s work to do this because you obviously don’t get a divorce because things are going well,“she told PEOPLE. “But it’s letting those things live in the past … [It means] realizing you’re in a relationship forever, so learning to treat one another with respect and dignity and just doing the right thing for Kase.”

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Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony

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Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose

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source: people.com