Friends ofChelsea HandlerandJo Koyare hoping they’ll rekindle their romance.
“Their friends are hoping they can still work it out,” a source tells PEOPLE exclusively. “But if anything, it’s clear their relationship has changed them both for the better.”
Handler, 47,announced the couple’s spliton Instagram Monday. Sharinga videothat was intended to go live on their one-year anniversary, the formerChelseahost wrote: “It is with a heavy heart to announce that we have decided together that it is best for us to take a break from our relationship right now.”
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She added: “Jo - you blew my creativity open, my lust for working hard again, being on the road again, and you reminded me who I was and always have been, and my feet have never been more firmly planted in the ground.”
Handler noted that “this is not an ending” but “another beginning” for the now-exes.
In Koy’sown announcement post, the 51-year-old said the two comedians “will always remain great friends and will always have love for one another,” even after their breakup.
“I’m her biggest fan and I can’t wait for you all to see what she has in store for the future,” he added. “Keep killing it Chelsea! Mahal kita!”
TMZbroke the news of Handler and Koy’s split.
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Handler and Koy met through a mutual friend nearly 20 years ago. From there, Koy would go on to make frequent appearances on Handler’s former E! talk show,Chelsea Lately.
The two starsfirst sparked dating rumorsin September while looking cozy at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. But she confirmed the relationship later that month, postinga photo of the pair kissing.
While sharingan “appreciation post"for Koy in May, Handlercalled him “the best boyfriend"she’s ever had.
Amy Sussman/Getty
Handler — whose dating history includes50 Cent— previously saidgoing to therapyis what ultimately prepared her to date someone like Koy.
“I had gone a long time without ever sitting down to contemplate or reflect. And therapy changed that,” she said inE! News' digital cover story in April. “It gives you the gift of self-awareness. I would never have been open to dating Jo Koyunless I had had therapy.”
Handler continued, “So what’s different about it is, I’m in a different place. He’s in a different place. He’s a man and I’m a woman, whereas before I was a girl and he was a boy. It’s been a great love story. I didn’t really think I would get this.”
Melody Chiu
source: people.com
