After more than 25 years of marriage, actress Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli have officially separated, marking a pivotal turning point in their long relationship.
On October 2, 2025, People magazine confirmed the news, citing a representative for Loughlin.
“They are living apart and taking a break from their marriage.
There are no legal proceedings at this time,” said Elizabeth Much, Loughlin’s publicist, in a statement to People.
The couple, who married in 1997 and share two daughters—social media influencer Olivia Jade and aspiring actress Isabella Rose—are now reportedly spending time apart as they navigate what many are calling a deeply personal and emotional chapter.
Public Reaction and Online Speculation. Unsurprisingly, news of the separation has triggered a wave of responses online, ranging from heartfelt sympathy to cynical speculation. Some commenters expressed sadness for a couple long viewed as one of Hollywood’s more enduring partnerships.
One Instagram user commented, “Too bad. So sad.” Others, however, questioned whether this might be the final fallout from the infamous college admissions scandal that shook their family—and the nation—in 2019. “Maybe this is the ultimate consequence of the college scandal,” one Facebook user wrote. “People change, and sometimes they no longer want the same things,” another added, reflecting a more measured perspective.
Spotted with James Tupper—Friendship or Something More?
Adding fuel to the speculation, Loughlin was recently spotted dining with actor James Tupper at the exclusive Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood. Witnesses described their interaction as warm and animated, noting that the pair shared a friendly hug outside the private venue, which caters to Hollywood insiders.
Though the sighting raised eyebrows, Loughlin’s representative quickly addressed the rumors, clarifying that the outing was strictly platonic. The two actors previously worked together on the 2023 made-for-TV films A Christmas Blessing and Fall Into Winter. According to the spokesperson, their dinner was a friendly reunion between former co-stars—nothing more.
A Marriage Under the Microscope
Loughlin and Giannulli’s personal lives have been under public scrutiny since their involvement in the 2019 college admissions scandal. Federal prosecutors accused the couple of paying $500,000 to secure their daughters’ admission into the University of Southern California (USC) by falsely presenting them as competitive crew recruits—despite neither having participated in the sport.
Both Loughlin and Giannulli pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in 2020. Loughlin served a two-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, and was released in December of that year. Her sentence also included two years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and a $150,000 fine.
Giannulli served five months at the Federal Correctional Complex in Lompoc, California, and was later released to home confinement in April 2021. His sentence included two years of supervised release, 250 hours of community service, and a $250,000 fine.
During her sentencing, Loughlin issued a tearful apology, expressing deep regret for her actions. “I am truly, profoundly and deeply sorry,” she said at the time. “I believed I was acting out of love for my children, but in reality, I compromised my values and contributed to inequality in our system.” She acknowledged that her choices had damaged her daughters’ credibility and caused public harm.
A Love Story That Once Inspired
The couple first met in 1995 and tied the knot in a private ceremony in November 1997. Over the years, their marriage was often portrayed as a strong and stable partnership in the public eye. In a 2016 interview with Closer Weekly, Loughlin reflected on their enduring relationship and offered some personal advice: “Don’t sweat the small stuff — let it slide. Pick your battles. Pay attention to each other.”
She revealed that despite busy schedules, the couple made time for one another with weekly Friday night dinner dates—a small but consistent gesture of commitment.
For years, Loughlin and Giannulli appeared to weather both public pressures and personal challenges side by side. However, following the fallout from their legal troubles and the long-lasting media attention, many observers now wonder if those strains ultimately became too great to bear.
Where Things Stand Now
At present, there are no formal divorce proceedings underway. However, the couple’s decision to live separately marks a significant pause in a relationship that once seemed rock-solid.
Whether this separation is temporary or the beginning of a more permanent shift remains unclear. For now, both Loughlin and Giannulli appear focused on their personal healing and their individual paths forward.
As the story develops, many are watching to see how the couple—once united at the center of both a Hollywood love story and a national scandal—choose to redefine their lives apart.
