Miranda Kerr, 42, says choosing forgiveness helped her co-parent peacefully with her ex, Orlando Bloom.
On Tuesday’s episode of the “We Need To Talk” podcast, the former Victoria’s Secret Angel spoke about the dynamics of her relationship with Bloom, whom she was married to from 2010 to 2013.
“I think because from day one, Orlando and I had done a lot of spiritual work, and forgiveness was a big part of that. Forgiving each other, forgiving ourselves, creating peace within the situation,” Kerr told podcast host Paul C. Brunson.
The model said she and Bloom recognized their relationship “was not bringing out the best in each other.” When they eventually separated, she said they agreed to put their son, Flynn, first.
“Let’s not make it about us. Let’s make it about what’s in the best interest for Flynn. But at the same time, let’s make sure that we completely forgive each other, make peace with each other, because otherwise it really weighs on you,” Kerr said.
Having “animosity” toward someone because “they didn’t live up to your expectations” can be exhausting, especially when that person will still remain in her life, she said.
Kerr said she and Bloom chose to forgive each other and stay peaceful so they could maintain a “harmonious” co-parenting relationship.
“When you have a child with someone else, they’re always going to be that person’s parent for the rest of their life. There are going to be situations where you’re going to need to talk if you like it or not. So why not make it harmonious?” Kerr said.
On the podcast, Kerr also spoke about her relationship with her husband, Snapchat cofounder Evan Spiegel, whom she married in 2017.
She said Spiegel, who is also a child of divorce, didn’t want her son Flynn “to ever feel any of this stuff that he felt.”
“And so he makes an effort to be peaceful and to be kind, and he knows that I love him and he knows that he’s the man for me,” Kerr said.
In fact, Kerr said that Spiegel helped her set better boundaries with Bloom.
“In the beginning, when Orlando and I had recently separated, I was just very, very giving, as always, and wanting to please. And if Orlando had a last-minute change — and he would say this himself — I would always accommodate him to that,” Kerr said.
She added that her husband encouraged her not to be afraid to say no.
“He’s like, you know, you don’t have to. So you can be clear and merry and say, ‘I’m so sorry that your plans changed, but we planned according to this,'” Kerr said, recalling Speigel’s words.
Kerr isn’t alone. Other celebrities have also opened up about how they navigate co-parenting after splitting from their exes.
Kristin Cavallari told Business Insider in 2020 that she was focused on putting her kids first amid her split from ex-husband Jay Cutler.
“They’re the only things I care about right now,” she said. “And so I’m removing any of my emotions or feelings and just thinking about them and putting them first.”
In a 2022 podcast appearance, Kim Kardashian spoke about the challenges of co-parenting with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. The reality TV star said she protects her ex-husband in the “eyes of my kids, for my kids.”
“One day my kids will thank me for not sitting here and bashing their dad when I could,” Kardashian said.
