Brooks Laich 'Was Fighting' Against Julianne Hough Breakup For Months!

Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich are on two different paths… and they don’t lead to each other!

As we previously shared, after months of speculation regarding the state of their marriage, the couple announced via a joint statement they had “lovingly and carefully” chosen to separate. Now we’re hearing more about the changes that went on behind closed doors to get them to this point.

A source close to the DWTS alum tells People:

“She is a deeply different person than she was when they got married, and she is proud of those differences and changes she’s made and she doesn’t want to go back. He is the man he is, and he shouldn’t change a thing.”

The insider added:

“It took them a while to get here, but now they both understand that they shouldn’t spend the rest of their lives together — not as spouses. They are hoping to move forward as deeply loving friends forever who will always be supportive and encouraging of one another.”

A LOT of couples say they want to end things as friends, but it doesn’t always workout that way. Only time will tell if they’re able to make things work, sans romance.

Meanwhile, a confidant close to Brooks told the outlet it was the retired NHL player who was keeping the couple from committing to the separation for so long:

“Brooks was determined to make it work, but he was constantly questioning what changes he needed to make for Julianne to be happy. He was fighting with this for months and it was very hard for him to let go of his marriage.”

The source explained it was the separate isolation which finally showed him he would be OK with being separate permanently:

“It really took the lockdown and them being separated for two months for him to realize that it is time to let go. He has been happy living by himself in nature.”

As you’ll recall, the 36-year-old chose to spend the pandemic in snowy Idaho, while Julianne opted to stay behind in Los Angeles. Even without the earlier reports of issues in their relationship, that was definitely a bad omen. And how could we forget that she was spotted hanging out (and possibly breaking quarantine) with her hunky friend, Ben Barnes!

Their joint statement, shared by People, reads:

“We have lovingly and carefully taken the time we have needed to arrive at our decision to separate. We share an abundance of love and respect for one another and will continue to lead with our hearts from that place. We kindly request your compassion and respect for our privacy moving forward.”

Thoughts, Perezcious relationship experts?? Share ’em (below) in the comments!!

[Image via Brooks Laich/Julianne Hough/Instagram.]