By Almha Murphy
All eyes were on Venice last weekend as former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos tied the knot with former journalist Lauren Sanchez (now Lauren Bezos) in front of a star-studded guest list. However, there was one absence that was particularly noted. Pop singer Katy Perry was not among the famous faces decorating the aisle 鈥 despite having recently gone into space with Lauren on Jeff Bezos鈥 Blue Origin rocket. Although Katy was performing her Lifetimes Tour in Australia that weekend, her absence still caused speculation 鈥 especially seeing Orlando Bloom was in attendance after the pair’s alleged split. Katy and Orlando had one of the pop-world鈥檚 most talked-about romances. The pair met in 2016 at a Golden Globes afterparty and quickly hit it off, eventually making their relationship official in May 2016. However, the relationship hit rocky waters when the pair temporarily split up in 2017. They then reunited and got engaged on Valentines Day, 2019 and a year later, Katy confirmed that she was pregnant with Orlando鈥檚 baby. The pair were set to be wedded in Japan early 2020, until Covid hit, and they were forced to postpone. In summer 2020, they announced the birth of their first daughter. However, five years on and the pair are allegedly no longer together after a decade of dating. A source told US Weekly : “Katy and Orlando have split but are amicable.鈥 Their last sighting together was March 2025 at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. New bride Lauren mentioned how much she missed Katy on social media. Under a series of Instagram pictures posted by Katy’s account on June 27 showcasing highlights from her Australia tour, Lauren commented: 鈥淲e miss you Katy.鈥 Of course, whether Orlando鈥檚 presence had any bearing on Katy鈥檚 absence from the nuptials remains in question. But, still, it鈥檚 got the Internet talking: how do you deal with losing friends after a breakup? While a wedding can make these relationship fractures more glaringly obvious, the problem can arise even when organising group hangouts or dinner parties. Most of us have experienced the painfully awkward decision of choosing between two friends to invite, particularly in the aftermath of a messy breakup. Hope Flynn is a relationship expert and the founder of So What? She reassures people that feeling hurt and conflicted is completely normal: 鈥淟osing friends after a breakup is more common than people realise and it can come as an unexpected second wave of grief. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp , for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror’s Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. 鈥淲hen you鈥檝e shared a social circle with your ex, friends can feel unsure how to navigate the change and some may distance themselves while others unintentionally take sides.鈥 However, as hurtful as a friend鈥檚 absence may be, it鈥檚 important to remember that it鈥檚 鈥渘ot always malicious.鈥 Hope adds: 鈥淥ften people simply don鈥檛 know how to show up during these emotional transitions and the result can feel isolating for one of the exes. 鈥淭hat being said, this period often reveals which friendships are truly rooted in connection and care. While some relationships may quietly fade, others will deepen and that clarity can be a gift.鈥 Plus it can also give you some much needed me-time. Hope continues: 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an opportunity to reconnect with yourself outside the relationship and to begin building a network of friends that reflects who you are now, not just who you were as part of a couple.鈥 Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We’d love to hear from you!