Former Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes, 50, has revealed that he has split from his husband of 17 years, British artist Richard Cullen, 52.
Hayes took to Instagram to announce the news, suggesting they’d had a rough couple of years before realizing they’d grown apart. The men separated earlier this year.
The Australian singer said, “I am an open book when it comes to my music and lyrics but am an intensely private person when it comes to my home and family life. Despite the challenge to keep the most sacred and precious parts of my life just for me, I have felt the need to be honest to those who have always cared for my inner world about what’s been going on in my private life these past two years.”
“After 17 years of marriage to the best person I ever met, Richard and I have chosen to accept that our union has greatly and beautifully come to rest,” he continued.
“In honour of this realisation, we separated earlier this year and have been supporting each other emotionally throughout this massive changed in our lives.”
He went on to answer what he called the “ugly questions” people may ask.
“No, there’s no scandal to report, no infidelity, guilty or third party. It’s just life. We adore each other and always will,” he said.
“We view our marriage as our greatest collaboration. Nobody can ever take away what we achieved together. We are still best friends. We always will be.
“Besides, we have a very cute and needy labradoodle to take care of, and the business of joy to attend to.”
He ended it by name-check the title of one of his past albums.
“Thank you for always supporting our union – and for being so gentle with this delicate thing we made. Love Darren (and Richard).”
Musical comeback
Savage Garden shot to fame with their debut album in 1996, which included big hit singles such as ‘Truly Madly Deeply.’ The band disbanded in 2001.
Hayes came out in 2005, at around the same time he married British artist, Cullen.
Hayes released a handful of solo albums after Savage Garden split. He returned to the music scene last year with his first new single in ten years, ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’, which was promoted with his most out-queer video yet. In interviews at the time, he reflected on how he’d not felt able to be his real self at the peak of his fame.
“I wanted to show I love the feminine in me, be proud of the gay me. There’s a dance scene that is so passionate, everything’s alive and thriving and blooming. That’s how I feel in general about music. And that’s a hugely sharp contrast to how I felt 10 years ago.”
Related:
Darren Hayes talks gay shame, his days in Savage Garden, and his new solo album ‘Homosexual’
We chatted with Hayes about his new album, overcoming adversity, and finally getting to do things entirely on his own terms.
Darren Hayes recalls time he dated Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone
We love a celebrity hookup…
ZzBomb
Well, if I wasn’t feeling old before I sure af do now!
frenchy
I feel very sorry for him. He’s been very open about his mental health issues and I hope he’s OK. I just saw him live and it was an amazing concert. His latest album, Homosexual, is unabashedly queer, raw and really good.
DBMC
Sorry to hear this. Marriage is hard.
scotty
“still best friends.” i like that. best to you both.
Bravura2022
Always remember it takes two to tango guaranteed!????
FreddieW
I can’t imagine what else is required for a successful relationship beyond being best friends except the will to continue together. It sounds sad.
winemaker
Who’s darren hayes? Never heard of him and this is supposed to be newsorthy? And now that we have marriage equality the reality sets in, it’s not all sunshine and roses and relationships require committments and hard work and are not roommate situations with benefits. Unfortunately some of us will separate just like straight couples
boblrice
God you’re tiresome. The article explicitly tells you who he is.
And this is one of your favorite go tos, the “Who’s this Who cares” bs. Obviously some people know who he is and some people also care. Why waste your time posting this message?
GayEGO
People are people. My husband and I were together 57 years, married 15 years when he passed away at the age of 88 in 2019. At least we were able to live the American dream!
johannsyah
What a shame. I am a huge fan of him, but right now I don’t feel like listening to his music.