When rumors started swirling about Tobey Maguire‘s love life earlier this month, his ex-wife Jennifer Meyer was quick to defend him. And while it didn’t put the rumors to rest entirely, it did show how much Meyer and Maguire, who were married from 2007 to 2016, were there for each other. And, as it turns out, Gwyneth Paltrow might’ve been behind it all.
In a recent podcast episode of the Broad Ideas podcast, Meyer talked about how the Goop founder was a major inspiration in how she handled her split from Maguire back in the day.
“Right when Tobey and I were starting to break up, I watched what Gwyneth Paltrow was starting to do with Chris [Martin] — this conscious uncoupling that everyone was making fun of,” she said, per Page Six. “I got to see it firsthand, and it was the most beautiful thing that I had ever witnessed two human beings go through. She was so loving and kind and open to him and she created this family.”
As a reminder, Paltrow and Martin, who announced their split in 2016, share kids Apple, 20, and Moses, 18. Meyer and Maguire also share two kids: Ruby, 17, and Otis, 15.
“I was like, ‘Wow, that’s not what I was taught growing up,'” Meyer admitted. “I was taught that divorce was ugly … bad and would never be good.”
Instead, she saw for the first time a couple who split amicably and, for the sake of their kids, became the best co-parents they could be.
Seeing it all take place, Meyer then reached out to Paltrow. “‘How did you do that? Please, what do I do?'” Meyer asked the Oscar winner. “Because we’re just starting to break up, and it’s feeling very scary. … How can we come together for [these] human[s] we both created that we love? What do we do?’”
According to Meyer, Paltrow gave the perfect advice. Instead of sharing too much about Martin and her separation, she introduced her to Dr. Habib Sadeghi.
“She didn’t tell me their process, she didn’t tell me anything,” Meyer noted. “She just said, ‘I have someone for you to meet with. Good luck,’ basically. Because I think you’ve got to give people their own process.”
Years later, it seems Paltrow’s advice not only worked but helped Meyer and Maguire become friends and healthy co-parents just like she wanted. Looks like Paltrow’s a trendsetter in ways she wasn’t even expecting!
Before you go, click here to see celebrity exes who will always be friends.
