Last week, fans were shocked when reports came out that Demi Lovato and fiancé Max Ehrich have called it quits just two months after they got engaged.
Demi herself appeared to have confirmed the news when she posted a video of herself WITHOUT her engagement bling. She was also wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Dogs Over People.”
For his part, Max simply went on IG to post “Jesus loves you” – but with the comments turned off.
According to various sources, there could be a number of reasons behind the split – from career and long distance (Max is filming a project in Atlanta) to red flags and trust issues.
“It was a tough decision, but Demi and Max have decided to go their separate ways to focus on their respective careers,” a source told PEOPLE on Thursday. “They have respect and love for one another and will always cherish the time they spent together.”
However, another source told E! News, “She didn’t know who Max truly was and didn’t think he had good intentions.”
At the time, neither Max nor Demi directly addressed the breakup reports.
On Saturday (September 26), Max went on Instagram Story claiming that he only found out about the breakup along with the rest of the world.
“Imagine finding out to the status of your relationship through a tabloid… While your [sic] in the middle of filming a biopic movie about a Pastor in a Christian Church whose intention of the film is to help people,” Max wrote in a story post.
He concluded the post with, “God bless,” along with a dove emoji.
But according to a PEOPLE source, “Demi made Max aware that the relationship was over and it was going to come out in the press.”
Max went on IG Story to double down on his side of the story.
“I was on the set of my new movie, Southern Gospel, with crew and cast members right next to me who literally watched me open my phone where I then opened a tabloid,” Max wrote on his IG Story statement. “This is the God’s honest truth of how I found out about the ending of the engagement and have people from my film who saw the whole thing go down and helped me get back into character to continue my job.”
He later added a series of statements on the break up – including a message for Demi.
“Please stop trying to ‘Thank you, next’ me,” he wrote, seemingly referencing Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson’s high profile split in 2018.
“For I’m just a human being who has to go to work tomorrow AM where there are families with kids relying on me,” he continued.
“To this moment… we haven’t spoken over the phone… we haven’t even officially ended anything to each other, literally,” he added. “I’m here in real time with y’all. I love Demetria and just want her to be healthy and safe.”
To Demi, he wrote, “If you’re reading this… I love you always… unconditionally… no matter what.”
And he went on to shower Demi with praise sharing a series of posts featuring Demi’s songs, stating “I have respected and loved Demetria since I was 15,” and “Demetria is THEE best female vocalist alive. And everyone should know it.”
“She inspires me every day and is an INCREDIBLE human being,” he continued. “I know it’s not her writing these stories, it’s a machine. I love her unconditionally.”
So far, Demi has yet to speak out on their split – however, photos of Max are G-O-N-E from her IG. Fans have also noted that Demi’s close friends and loved one – including mom Diana De La Garza – have all unfollowed Max. Plus, in recent photos shared by stylist Siena Montesano, it looks as if Demi’s already ditched her engagement ring in favor of a new bling.
