Kristin Cavallari opens up about 'painful' divorce from Jay Cutler

The reality star says she had to learn to embrace the 'good, the bad, and the ugly' of her split from the NFL player.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In a new podcast episode, Kristin Cavallari discussed the challenges she faced during her divorce from Jay Cutler, her husband of nearly 7 years. Cavallari said she initially wanted to 'push everything away' and pretend she was 'fine,' but ultimately decided to confront the 'pain' and 'suffering' head-on, believing that was the only way to grow from the experience. The former 'The Hills' star said she wanted to 'feel it all' - the good, bad, and ugly - rather than running from the difficult emotions.

Why it matters

Cavallari and Cutler's high-profile divorce has generated significant media attention, with the former couple publicly disputing the terms of their settlement. Cavallari's candid comments provide insight into the personal toll of the split and her efforts to find meaning in the 'painful' experience.

The details

Cavallari and Cutler, who married in 2013 and have three children together, announced their split in a joint statement in 2020. Their divorce was finalized in 2022, though the fallout has continued as they disagree over the terms of their settlement. In the new podcast episode, Cavallari said she initially wanted to 'push everything away' and pretend she was 'fine,' but ultimately decided to confront the pain head-on, believing that was the only way to grow from the experience.

  • Cavallari and Cutler married in 2013.
  • Cavallari and Cutler announced their split in a joint statement in 2020.
  • Cavallari and Cutler finalized their divorce in 2022.
  • Cavallari discussed the challenges of co-parenting with Cutler in a 2024 podcast appearance.

The players

Kristin Cavallari

A reality TV personality known for her roles on 'The Hills' and the founder of the Uncommon James lifestyle brand.

Jay Cutler

A former NFL quarterback who was married to Kristin Cavallari for nearly 7 years.

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What they’re saying

“There is beauty in pain and we need the dark to appreciate the light.”

— Kristin Cavallari (Let's Be Honest* podcast)

“I wanna feel the pain. I wanna sit in it. I don't wanna rush or run from it.”

— Kristin Cavallari (Let's Be Honest* podcast)

“The pain, and the hurt, and the suffering is there to teach us something — that's where we learn and we grow.”

— Kristin Cavallari (Let's Be Honest* podcast)

The takeaway

Kristin Cavallari's candid comments about her divorce from Jay Cutler highlight the importance of embracing difficult emotions and experiences as a path to personal growth, even in the face of high-profile and contentious separations.