Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom struggled with the same relationship issues for years before their recent split, according to sources close to the couple.
PEOPLE confirmed last week that the pair ended their engagement after nine years together. Sources are now revealing what led to the breakup.
“Katy and Orlando have been suffering through the same problems that have plagued them for years,” a source tells PEOPLE. “Too much going on in their lives, which makes it hard to find time for each other and iron out disagreements. When they don’t communicate properly, their relationship dips to a low level.”
The couple had “been living on an island of stress” before the split, according to the source.
“Things have been rocky.”
Perry, 40, and the Lord of the Rings star, 48, are now focused on co-parenting their 4-year-old daughter Daisy Dove.
A film industry source described the split as “sad and unpleasant” but noted both parents remain committed to their daughter’s wellbeing.
“Sometimes love isn’t enough to keep two people with different styles and outlooks on how things are done together,” the source adds. “It can overshadow the love.”
Perry’s Emotional Return to Stage
The “Roar” singer made an emotional return to the stage Monday during her final Australia show in Adelaide. In a clip shared to X, Perry appeared to fight back tears as she raised her arms to make a heart shape with her hands.
“Thank you for always being there for me Australia. It means the world,” she told the crowd before launching into her 2010 hit “Firework.”
Meanwhile, Bloom seemingly addressed the split by reposting inspiring quotes to his Instagram Stories on June 30.
He shared a quote attributed to Gautama Buddha that read: “Each day is a new beginning. What we do today is what matters most.”
Bloom also posted James Quinn’s song “A Gentle Sunlight.”
Relationship Timeline
The couple’s relationship began in 2016 after meeting at a Golden Globes afterparty.
They briefly split in 2017 but rekindled their romance the following year. Bloom proposed in 2019, and they welcomed daughter Daisy in 2020.
The pair had maintained a relatively private relationship while juggling demanding careers. Perry recently completed her Lifetimes World Tour, while Bloom has been promoting his new Prime Video movie Deep Cover.
Both have children from previous relationships. Bloom shares son Flynn, 13, with ex-wife Miranda Kerr.
