Some celebrity romances collapse under even the slightest of strains.
Others, like Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley’s iconic ’90s romance, can withstand almost anything. Even a cheating scandal and a very public arrest.
In 1995, British heartthrob Grant had been dating Hurley for over eight years after the couple met on the set of Spanish film Remando al Viento.
Their relationship hadn’t faced many hurdles so far, that is, until the Notting Hill star was caught with a sex worker on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.
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Grant’s mugshot was broadcast to the world and attention then landed on Hurley. Would she stay with him or say sayonara?
It seemed at the time Grant was incredibly remorseful over his arrest and the betrayal of trust.
“Last night I did something completely insane. I have hurt people I love and embarrassed people I work with. For both things, I am more sorry than I can ever possibly say,” he said in a public statement.
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It came as a surprise to the world when the expected breakup statement wasn’t shared by Hurley and her camp.
In fact, the actress had decided to stick by her man. In July 1995, just weeks after Grant’s arrest, Hurley accompanied the actor to the premiere of his new film, Nine Months.
It was a subtle confirmation that their romance was far from over and that Hurley was willing to forgive Grant.
Hurley wore a figure-hugging white dress and clasped hands with her boyfriend of eight years as the cameras flashed.
The actress didn’t flash a smile, while Grant looked pleased to have his partner by his side for his return to the spotlight.
Their relationship would continue on for another five years, before their eventual split in 2000.
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Although to this day Hurley has never spoken out about his arrest, Grant has discussed it in numerous interviews.
In 2021, Grant revealed on a podcast the arrest happened when he was in a bad “frame of mind” due to anxiety issues about his upcoming movie.
“I was about to launch my first Hollywood film – my timing was impeccable,” Grant said on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast. “My problem was that was my first Hollywood film and I’d just been to see it.
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“The film was about to come out a week or two after that, and I had a bad feeling about it. I went to see a screening. Everyone in it was brilliant, but I was so atrocious that I was not in a good frame of mind.”
In an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2015, Grant also shed some insight into why they split.
“The sex bit probably fizzled out, but now she’s my absolute best friend – number one person I call in a crisis,” he told host Andy Cohen.
Grant and Hurley have also managed to remain good friends, even decades after their split in 2000.
“We met on a movie 29 years ago and he’s still my best friend today, and I still speak with him every day,” Hurley told Us Weekly in 2016. “That was the best co-star I’ve ever had for sure.”
It helps that they are neighbours and are godparents to each other’s children – Grant is the godfather of Hurley’s son, Damian, and she is godmother to one of his daughters.
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