Balancing Act: Celebrities Who Have Taken Breaks to Focus on Family and Personal Growth
Ed Sheeran, the 35-year-old singer, hinted at taking a break from music after his current LOOP Tour to focus on family life with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two children, Lyra and Jupiter. Sheeran has previously expressed the challenges of balancing his career and family life, as highlighted in his song "Regrets" from his recent album Play. Despite the difficulties, Sheeran has strived to maintain a work-life balance during his Mathematics Tour, which spanned three years from April 2022 to September 2025. He even relocated his family to the United States temporarily to be closer to them while touring across the country.
Sheeran emphasized the importance of having his family close and stated that his life works best when they are together. He shared his love for touring and songwriting, mentioning that touring now fits around his family life, allowing him to dictate his schedule. While Sheeran has not taken a break yet, he has expressed his intention to do so after the current tour. Several other celebrities have also taken steps back from the spotlight to focus on different aspects of their lives.
Antonio Banderas, known for his role in The Mask of Zorro, moved back to his native Málaga, Spain, to focus on his love for theater after a near-fatal heart attack in 2019. Ellen DeGeneres ended her talk show in 2022 amid allegations of a toxic work environment and moved to the Cotswolds with her wife Portia de Rossi. Tyra Banks relocated to Australia to focus on her ice cream brand, SMiZE and Dream, while Eva Longoria split her time between Mexico and Spain to escape the changing vibe of Los Angeles.
Richard Gere moved to Spain with his wife and children to provide a bilingual environment for his sons. Christina Milian moved to Paris with her family to allow her children to study in France, and Lindsay Lohan relocated to Dubai to escape the paparazzi and focus on her personal life. Josh Hartnett moved to England's Hampshire countryside to seek a different lifestyle, and Jesse Eisenberg has been living in Indiana for the past decade to maintain a sense of normalcy away from the industry.
Eliza Dushku became certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy and focused on mental health, while Rosie O'Donnell moved to Ireland to obtain Irish citizenship. Evangeline Lilly announced an indefinite hiatus from acting to focus on her vision and fulfillment, and Ian Somerhalder shifted his focus to combatting climate change through regenerative farming. Jennette McCurdy decided to stop acting and explore opportunities in writing and directing, while Meghan Markle transitioned from Hollywood to philanthropy and production deals with Netflix.
Cameron Diaz took a break from acting to explore other interests, including writing and starting a family with husband Benji Madden. Terrence Howard announced his retirement from acting multiple times but continued to appear in projects. Jack Gleeson took a break from acting after his role in Game of Thrones but returned to the industry after a six-year hiatus. Phoebe Cates shifted her focus to operating her boutique in New York City, and Rick Moranis stepped away from filmmaking to raise his children after his wife's passing.
Drew Barrymore hinted at stepping back from acting to focus on her family and avoid roles with excessive sexual content. These celebrities have made choices to prioritize different aspects of their lives, whether it be family, personal growth, or new ventures, stepping back from the spotlight to pursue their passions and well-being.