Divorce isn’t necessarily a taboo subject anymore. While the rate of divorce has decreased since 2021, researchers estimate that 41 percent of all first marriages will end in divorce. The concept of calling it quits on a marriage is hardly new either, but the way modern couples are approaching it could make all the difference.
That’s certainly true for former child star Drake Bell, 39. Recently he admitted that his own parents’ divorce dramatically impacted him, and candidly revealed how on The Unplanned Podcast.
“I’m at my dad’s house: ‘Your mom is this. Your mom is this. Your mom is this.’ I’m at my mom’s house. ‘Your dad is this. Your dad is this. Your dad is this.’ And then it’s like, well, I’m half of him and I’m half of you. So basically you guys are just telling me that I suck. He’s got no good qualities and you got no good qualities and you guys hate each other. I’m literally what you guys hate. And that’s being instilled in my brain.”
@unplanned_podcast Abuse On Set, Drake & Josh, and Fatherhood w/ Drake Bell | Out NOW! #unplannedpodcast @matt_and_abby @drakebell
♬ original sound – The Unplanned Podcast – The Unplanned Podcast
Bell, who married his girlfriend of five years in 2018 and divorced her officially in 2023, plans to take an entirely different approach with their son.
“All my son knows is that me and his mom love each other,” Bell added. “We’re not together, but we love each other and we respect each other and we love him unconditionally. Whenever he’s with me, his mama loves him. Mama’s amazing when he’s like: ‘oh, I miss Mama.’ I miss Mama too. ‘Oh, I love Mama.’ I love Mama too. Like it’s all that I want him to hear.”
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Fans were so impressed by his mature take and rallied around him in the comments, praising him for how well adjusted his approach to it is.
“What a great dad you are. Your son will appreciate this when he is older,” one fan complimented.
“My mom NEVER said a bad word about my dad no matter how angry or sad he made me feel,” related another. “My dad trash talked my mom every chance he got. Guess who I talk to more?”
His incredibly healthy point of view is even more impressive considering the abuse and trauma Bell claimed to have suffered as a minor on set of his hit show Drake and Josh.
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