14 DAY TRIAL // A little under a month ago, actors Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth announced they had decided to end their 17-year relationship. In a recent interview with Kelly Ripa, the “Twilight” star talks a bit about his decision to file for divorce.
While Garth has said a few things about the split in recent interviews, this is the first time that Peter also opens up on the topic.
You can see the video of his interview with Kelly, shot live in Canada, below, embedded at the end of the article.
He says that, contrary to what people might think, ending the marriage was not an easy call, though it did come from him.
When you're married for so long, have children with the other person and also happen to be in the spotlight all the time, the experience is quite “painful,” the star explains.
“It's very painful to break up with somebody, especially after you've been together for 17 years and have kids. It's even more painful when it's played out in the media and I've tried to stay quiet about it for the sake of my kids,” Peter tells Kelly after a long conversation on the pleasures of skiing in Canada.
Even though he was the one who decided he wanted out of the marriage, Peter promises he still has nothing but love and respect for Jennie, who will always be a part of his life as the mother of his children and close friend.
“Jen and I are doing really well and she'll always be in my life, and I love her, and we're just going to have a different relationship. We're very dedicated to being great parents,” he says.
On a lighter note, Peter jokes that it was going out on Girls' Night Out with Ripa a fortnight ago that ruined his marriage to the former “Beverly Hills 90210” star.
“I blame ladies' night out. I woke up two weeks later in Mexico and then I got a divorce,” Peter joked.
Not missing a beat, Kelly replied that she took part of the blame. At the same time, she also believes she doesn't get “enough credit for ruining people's marriages,” especially since Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries also filed for divorce after a skit she did as them for Halloween.
Check out the whole interview.