Shailene Woodley still has profound emotions regarding her relationship with Aaron Rodgers, a sentiment she recently expressed in a rare interview. While opening up about their failed engagement during an interview with People published on Tuesday, the actress admitted that discussing the breakup still brings tears to her eyes.
“It always makes me cry,” Woodley revealed to People, sharing the vulnerability she feels whenever she reflects on that chapter of her life. Due to the emotional impact, the “Divergent” star, now 33, has largely chosen to keep her experience private since she and Rodgers, 41, ended their engagement in 2022.
Despite the eventual heartbreak, Woodley spoke fondly of their relationship. She acknowledged that while it ultimately wasn’t the right fit, it still had its beautiful moments. “It wasn’t the right relationship, but it was beautiful,” she said, showing a mixture of nostalgia and acceptance.
Woodley and Rodgers first crossed paths in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when the world slowed down, giving the couple a chance to grow close in an unexpected and intimate way. By early 2021, their love story was already the subject of headlines, and Rodgers hinted at their engagement during a February 2021 awards speech, referring to Woodley as his fiancée.
Woodley confirmed the engagement shortly afterward on an episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” explaining that their relationship had grown quietly behind the scenes before they decided to share the news with the world.
However, just one year later, in February 2022, the couple decided to part ways, calling off their engagement. It was a decision that, while necessary, was emotionally challenging for both of them.
In September, Woodley spoke to Bustle and provided more insight into her heartbreak. She explained the nature of her romantic relationships and how they often involved falling for emotionally unavailable individuals. “I have this tendency to fall in love over and over with unavailability,” Woodley confessed.
She went on to describe how deeply she loves and cares for people, something that she has come to understand isn’t always her responsibility to “fix” or “heal” a relationship. “I love easy and I care easy, but I do not love lightly, and I do not care lightly,” she admitted. “It’s taken me a lot of time to realize that it’s not my role to fix or heal anything, beyond protecting the deep love and care I have for the world and my people.”
The Emmy-nominated actress reflected on what she’s learned in the wake of the split—particularly the importance of walking away without needing all the answers. She’s accepted that sometimes things simply don’t turn out the way we envision. “I’ve learned to walk away without needing to understand why things didn’t go the way I may have wanted them to,” Woodley shared. She has grown to prioritize herself, no longer giving endlessly to those who fail to reciprocate or respect her boundaries.
“I’ve learned that I can’t just keep giving and giving to people who cross my boundaries or disrespect me,” Woodley explained, adding that she now knows how to gracefully and respectfully detach from those situations. “Now, when I encounter those moments, I respectfully go, ‘Thank you so much for that information. Have a beautiful life. I wish you well.’”
Woodley’s journey toward self-discovery and healing is a reflection of her growth as an individual. It’s evident that she has embraced the lessons that came from her time with Rodgers, focusing on building a stronger sense of self-worth.
Before her romance with Rodgers, Woodley was linked to rugby player Ben Volavola, with whom she had a long-term relationship that ended in 2020.
Rodgers, for his part, had previously dated former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick from 2018 to 2020. More recently, he has been romantically linked to Mallory Edens since 2023.
Though their relationship ultimately didn’t work out, Rodgers spoke highly of Woodley following their breakup, expressing his gratitude for the time they had together.
In a since-deleted Instagram post from February 2022, Rodgers shared heartfelt words about Woodley. “Thanks for letting me chase after you during those first few months after we met and finally letting me catch up to you and be a part of your life,” he wrote. “Thanks for always having my back, for the incredible kindness you showed me and everyone you met, and for teaching me what unconditional love looks like.”
It’s clear that despite the end of their engagement, both Woodley and Rodgers have profound respect and appreciation for the time they spent together.
Their journey was filled with highs and lows, but both have taken away valuable lessons that continue to shape who they are today.
Woodley’s reflections on love, self-care, and the importance of boundaries resonate deeply, serving as a reminder of the strength it takes to prioritize one’s well-being, even when it means letting go of someone you once held dear.
