Reality star Roy Donders sparked confusion by appearing with his ex-partner Michelle Bibi at the premiere of De Mega Sint Show, according to Mediacourant.nl.
The joint red carpet appearance comes shortly after the couple announced via Instagram that they are ending their nearly five-year relationship.
Donders and Bibi made their split public on Friday, November 6, stating they gradually grew apart and chose to go their separate ways without any quarreling or blame. The former couple shares a daughter, and Bibi has another child from a previous relationship.
They intend to seek separate homes near each other to provide stability for the children and continue functioning as a family, noting they want to keep doing fun things together with the children.
The sudden red carpet appearance generated bewilderment among entertainment insiders who questioned why the pair chose a heavily photographed showbusiness event if they wanted privacy.
Shownieuws panelist Bart Ettekoven said: “That is so rare. That is apart with Michelle, they made known not so very long ago. Then I still find it astonishing that you go to a red carpet, because you know that there is a lot of press there.”
Ettekoven added that Donders wanted nothing to say and no questions answered, which likely related to protecting the children from difficult conversations. Panelist Leontien van Moorsel agreed, stating she understood not wanting to burden the children. However, guest Kees de Bever argued that attending a public premiere while avoiding the press made little sense, suggesting they should have gone to a cinema in Tilburg instead where nobody would bother them.
Telegraaf Jordi Versteegden also said that arriving with an ex leaves observers wondering what is happening. Meanwhile, Ettekoven questioned Donders' future romantic life and whether he might return to dating men, noting that Donders had relationships with men before his relationship with Michelle.
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