Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and singer/songwriter Grimes had one of the most under-the-radar celebrity relationships of 2018. What began as a surprising yet unlikely pair quickly blossomed into a full-fledged romance, and before long, Musk and Grimes were happily married with a child. But what happened to end the relationship and bring one of the most out-there celebrity couples to an end?
The pair first began dating in May 2018, as Musk and Grimes announced they were “making babies” on social media. However, the romance was short-lived, as the pair split in October 2018. While many rumors swirled at the time of their split, it wasn’t until the following year that any clarity was received. Ultimately, it was reported that the couple’s differing lifestyles had led to the split, and Grimes had grown tired of Musk’s extravagant lifestyle.
Musk and Grimes’ split was further exacerbated by the growing chaos at Tesla, particularly as Musk was attempting to take the company private. Following months of speculation and controversy, it was reported that the couple had in fact split due to Musk’s chaotic and busy lifestyle. Ultimately, Musk and Grimes announced their split in early January 2019 and their divorce was finalized in May.
Since the split, both Musk and Grimes have gone their separate ways. Grimes has since embarked on a near-constant series of collaborations and music projects, from releasing solo albums to collaborating with artists such as SOPHIE and BloodPop, while Musk has continued his innovative work at Tesla and SpaceX, with of course the occasional foray into creating memes.
Some analysts have pointed to the differences in music as a signal of the couple’s breakup. While both Grimes and Musk have been affiliated with similar genres of music, Grimes primarily focuses on creating dark, ethereal tracks, while Musk has supported a more poppy, mainstream sound. While this may not have been the primary cause of their relationship’s demise, it could have been a contributing factor.
Experts and analysts have pointed to Musk’s chaotic lifestyle as the primary factor in the pair’s split. Musk was seemingly always on the go, from travelling for business to running multiple companies simultaneously. On the other hand, Grimes preferred a quieter and more removed existence, as evidenced by her music and her desire for privacy. It would appear that the couple’s vastly different lifestyles couldn’t ultimately coexist, leading to their eventual split.
Friendships Post Split
Interestingly, Musk and Grimes have both managed to remain cordial post-split. While they’re unlikely to ever get back together, there remains a deep and mutual respect between the pair. Notably, this was shown when Musk publicly shared an EP Grimes released in late 2020, noting that the music was “so good”.
Though they’re unlikely to ever rekindle their previous romance, the pair have still managed to remain friends and developed an obvious mutual admiration. Musk’s comment serves as a respectful nod to what had been a highly publicized relationship, almost certainly putting an end to speculation that the pair had parted ways badly.
Impact on Both Parties
In the aftermath of the split, both Musk and Grimes have been able to experience a newfound sense of self-discovery and success. Despite being incredibly accomplished in their respective fields prior to the relationship, the pair have both managed to reach unheard of heights of success since their separation. Musk’s work has been encapsulated by his numerous innovations at both Tesla and SpaceX, while Grimes has enjoyed a surge of recognition from both fans and the music industry at large, taking her from indie artist to pop culture icon since their split.
Grimes’ unwavering commitment to her career has left many fans in awe and has put her in a position few female artists have ever achieved. Meanwhile, Musk’s prowess and unwavering dedication to innovation has resulted in unprecedented success for both Tesla and SpaceX. Neither could have achieved such success and recognition while in their prior relationship, and it’s clear that their separation was beneficial for the growth and discovery of their respective paths.
The Future
With Musk and Grimes both now enjoying incredible success, it appears that their relationship has spawned greater appreciation of both their individual achievements. While the relationship may have ended in its own unique fashion, it appears that both Grimes and Musk have come out on top, with Grimes now firmly in the public eye and Musk continuing to push the boundaries of innovation.
Interestingly, the pair have managed to remain friends and promoters of each other’s work. Though not actively together anymore, the mutual admiration and truly friendly nature of the pair’s relationship post-split has left many fascinated.
Social Commentary
The couple’s relationship, from beginning to end, has provided plenty of social commentary on fame. Despite not belonging to the same social circle, the pair managed to create an unlikely yet successful connection when paired with their shared interest in music. Ultimately, the couple’s relationship has become an interesting example of how even seemingly mismatched partners can find success together when united by their shared passions.
Beyond this, the pair’s amicable split and newfound success emphasizes a broader lesson: success can still be achieved when two partners who were once together choose to go their separate ways. This reinvigoration of Musk and Grimes has been a symbol of their individual growth and emergence following the couple’s split, while still maintaining a healthy friendship.
Responses
Since the couple’s split, both Musk and Grimes have received enthusiastic acclaim and support from their respective fanbases. Fans have applauded the pair’s amicable friendship and mutual support of each other’s work post-split, noting that the friendship serves as proof that couples do not always have to end on negative terms.
Furthermore, fans have praised Musk and Grimes for going their separate ways and thriving in their respective fields. The praise is particularly notable for Grimes, who’s conquered fields typically dominated by men and has found success from both her music and her otherworldly branding. With her newfound fame, Grimes has become somewhat of a role model for young female artists starting out in the music industry.
Though their relationship may have ended in a somewhat unexpected manner, Musk and Grimes still remain good friends and have clearly both been empowered by the split. The couple’s newfound success and incredible career growth since the split highlights an even greater point: success can be achieved regardless of what prior relationships or situations have come before.
