Orlando Bloom, Kate Bosworth Split

By: Shannon Gossage

After weeks of speculation, it was officially confirmed that Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom and his girlfriend of nearly three years, Kate Bosworth, have decided to part ways. Robin Baum, the couple’s rep, confirmed the split and said in a statement, "They did decide to take some time apart due to their upcoming work schedule, and they remain very close." Baum refused to comment on why the couple actually broke-up or even when, saying only that it was a "mutual decision." Rumors of a possible break-up started in December, but the couple was spotted as recently as January 21 at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont where Bloom was staying for the Golden Globes.

Bloom, 28, and Bosworth, 22, have been dating since they met after shooting a Gap ad together in the spring of 2002. The two have been very private about their relationship. Blue Crush star Bosworth said in an interview last June, "I keep everything that’s private private." And Bloom has said that his personal life "isn’t really stuff I want to go into." Bloom did say in an interview last year, "I’m in love with love. It’s heavenly when you’re falling for someone and can’t stop thinking about her." Maybe he just stopped falling in love with Bosworth. A source close to Bloom has said that he is the one who wanted the break-up.

Both Bosworth and Bloom do have busy schedules ahead. Bloom is slated to star in Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven as well as reprising his role in Disney’s sequel to The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Meanwhile, Bosworth who had notable roles in Win a Date with Tad Hamilton and the Bobby Darrin biopic Beyond the Sea, will appear in the thriller Awake and is in talks to possibly play Lois Lane in director Bryan Singer’s Superman.