By: Natasha Archary
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are two celebrities who are top of mind when it comes to boomerang relationships. The pair were previously engaged in 2002 but split in 2004 and have since rekindled their romance recently.
Another celebrity relationship that can be classified as a boomerang relationship is that of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith. The couple who’ve previously expressed their relationship struggles on Jada’s Red Table Talk, when Jada admitted to having an entanglement with August Alsina in 2020.
Kaya Drive with Sizwe Dhlomo brought up Jada’s 50th birthday tribute to Tupac on 16 June, after social media ripped into Will Smith and how he must feel that his wife is still not over Tupac.
-
play_arrow
Wed 17:08:21 to 17:28:24 Kaya 959 95.9
Boomerang relationships can be classified as one that never seems to end, there’s an endless cycle of trying to break up or threatening to leave but always finding your way back to one another.
Unhealthy relationship
A boomerang relationship is usually when one person is committed and “all-in” while the other remains invested in their own interests and what suits them.
According to Psychology Today, a boomerang relationship comes down to passive-aggressive behaviour. This happens when the non-committed partner controls the narrative of the relationship, playing on their partner’s insecurities and taking advantage of the fact that they have feelings involved.
Boomerang relationships have a yo-yo effect which feels like you’re constantly on a rollercoaster ride. There are high moments when the partner treats you well and low points that leave one feeling inadequate and questioning one’s worth.
Boomerang relationships and abuse
Rihanna and Chris Brown are another celebrity couple that are an example of a boomerang relationship, after breaking up following Chris physically assaulting Riri in 2009. Rihanna forgave Chris Brown and they revived their relationship in 2021 when she told Oprah in an interview that he was her “true love”.
This shows the yo-yo effect that boomerang relationships can have on the partner who is fully committed to the relationship. Feelings override all the issues that exist in the relationship and it’s what gives boomerang relationships that push and pull foundation.


