Public Reaction
When the news that Elon Musk and Grimes had split came out last month, the reaction was swift. There was no shortage of public theories about what had happened, with some blaming the relationship for distracting Musk from his business and philanthropic pursuits; others saw it as an inevitable downfall due to their age difference; and still more accused both parties of being too busy to have any sort of connection. Whatever the cause, the split left many people questioning if the power couple had bitten off more than they could chew.
What was even more shocking than the break-up itself was how quickly the two had gone from being in a relationship to completely broken apart. There had been no warnings that this was coming, and the news seemed all the more implausible given how, as recently as February, Grimes had talked about Musk in such positive terms.
The media had a field day with the news, speculating on what could have caused the split and analysing the impact it could have on their respective careers and brands.
Secrecy
Adding to the confusion was the pair’s conspicuously tight-lipped attitude about the whole affair. While Musk was often vocal about his own professional pursuits, he was peculiarly quiet when it came to this break-up. When asked in an interview about the end of his relationship with Grimes, Musk claimed not to have “a lot to say about it.” Instead, he cryptically remarked that the music-making couple both “said too much.”
As for Grimes, she simply stated that she’d been “in a rut for a few months.” She later joked that “people can now see why I was so stressed and overwhelmed.”
Musk’s Previous Relationship
Oddly, Musk had been in a serious relationship with another woman, Amber Heard, only a few months prior to the relationship with Grimes. Heard and Musk had a tumultuous relationship in the public eye, and despite having a brief fling with one another, it seemed that Musk had moved on quickly enough. Heard even spoke about the break-up, claiming that it felt like Musk was “a million miles away,” and claiming that “his heart isn’t in it.”
The end of this relationship and the quickness with which it was followed by the romance between Musk and Grimes was a suggestion to the media that Musk may not have been taking his decisions with much consideration.
Analysis of their Split
It is possible that the break-up was simply due to incompatibility. Interestingly, the couple seemed to have actually crossed paths much earlier in their lives, as they had briefly been in contact back in 2008 through a common friend. It could be that they simply lacked the chemistry to make the relationship work, and a lack of shared understandings made it difficult for them to get together in the first place.
At the same time, it could be argued that the expectations set on the relationship by Musk caused it to crumble. Musk was clearly in a very high-powered career, and it could be said that the demands on his time, as well as his ambition, caused him to lose sight of the relationship.
Massive Attention
Whatever the case may be, it is undeniable that the public attention this relationship received was unprecedented. Whenever the couple’s relationship began and ended, it was always under watch. Despite their attempts to keep the details to themselves, the public picked up on almost everything and discussed the couple’s antics in a very open and frank manner.
The always-on attention could easily have caused strain on the two’s relationship. Even before they were a couple, they had quickly become engulfed in the public eye, and they shared an audience who had an opinion on every move they made. In some ways, the break-up was perhaps an inevitability given the scrutiny they were under.
The Impact of the Split
When it comes to the impact the split had on each person’s career, and their respective brands, it is clear that there was no real significant result. Despite the attention, neither of their careers suffered nor was the public’s opinion on them impacted significantly.
Grimes in particular has since seen herself venturing further into the music industry and has seen a revival of her career, while Musk has moved swiftly onto other projects and further established himself as a tech leader.
It appears that the break-up has done little to halt their success. Some may view this as confirmation that the relationship was simply a blip on their respective trajectories.
Age Difference
The most significant factor in this break-up was arguably the age difference between the two. Musk is 48 and Grimes is 32. There have been many studies showing that a gap of more than five and a half years in age can lead to a disconnect between partners as they get older, and this may have been the case here.
Grimes had even commented on the age gap in a Rolling Stone interview, noting that it was “paradoxical” in some ways and acknowledging the difficulty she expected the age difference to bring. There could be some truth in this given the events that followed soon after.
Rethinking Their Dynamic
It seems clear that the relationship between Musk and Grimes was a unique one, as they managed to weather the criticism and scrutiny of the public that came with it. In a way, it is commendable that they held it together for as long as they did, dealing with the complications that came with the age gap, their wildly different career paths, and their polarising public images.
Ultimately, the two were unable to make it work, something that they both seem to have realised in their own ways. Musk has admitted that his work/life balance was lacking and saw the break-up as a necessary step in refocusing on himself, while Grimes has embraced her life as an independent artist and seems content with her solo career.
Focusing On Their Solo Projects
Both Grimes and Musk have since moved on from their short-lived relationship. While Musk has ventured further into the world of tech and philanthropy, Grimes has focused on her music and art, having already released several solo albums and singles.
Though the relationship had some bumps along the way, it seems to have ultimately been a catalyst for the duo to focus on their own solo endeavours. By refocusing on their own projects, both Grimes and Musk seem to have found renewed purpose away from each other.
Exploring Their Goals and Dreams
The split has meant that the two are now free to explore their own dreams and goals unencumbered by their previous relationship. Musk has an ambitious vision for the future, one that involves the realisation of renewable energy, artificial intelligence, advanced transportation solutions, and expeditions to Mars.
Grimes, on the other hand, is a highly creative individual with a deep appreciation of art and music. She has been exploring different mediums and has already collaborated with some of the most well-known names in the music industry.
Should They Have Stayed Together?
Though it is hard to give a definitive answer, it is likely that the split was for the best. At the end of the day, the couple was too different in many ways for the relationship to work for a long time.
Musk was on a mission to realise his ambitious goals and build a better future, while Grimes was doing her own thing with her art. Though their relationship was intense and exciting while it lasted, it is likely that they both realised they weren’t able to give each other the attention they both wanted and needed.
The Future of Their Relationship
Though it is unclear what the future may hold for the two, it is clear that the love they shared during their relationship is still strong. Recently, they have both posted knowing glances at each other on their respective social media pages, suggesting that they still may have some sort of connection.
At this point, it is unclear whether they are just good friends or if they are giving the relationship another chance. Whatever the case may be, it will be interesting to watch and see how their relationship evolves in the future.
