In a week when we’ve heard the sound of all sorts of dirty washing flapping on the public breeze, it’s pretty heartwarming to see that one pair of A-listers, at least, can get on with the business of being nice to one another post-split.
While the various ‘teams’ of Brad and Angelina earn a royal commission for themselves dividing up the spoils of Hollywood’s once most powerful coupling, and Norman ‘Fatboy Slim’ Cook’s fans frown at his estranged wife’s description of the superstar DJ as “boring”, Liev Schreiber and former partner Naomi Watts have, thus far, acquitted themselves comparably well.
Yesterday was the Australian actress’s birthday, something she marked with a throwback pic on Instagram of herself as a young tot in a pram.
Among the many comments beneath, as various friends and family chipped in with birthday greetings, there was her former partner adding his best wishes too, with a straightforward ‘Happy birthday sweetheart’.
With three simple words, ‘Spotlight’ star Liev made it clear to their huge collected group of fans, plus - of course - the monitoring media - that this is one split that won’t have the benefit of spinning and counter-spinning to contradict their original statement that “with great love, respect, and friendship in our hearts that we look forward to raising our children together and exploring this new phase of our relationship”.
Naomi’s post also prompted a more indignant repost from her own mother. The ‘Diana’ star captioned her pic, saying “Another birthday!! #eek But I think I’m younger than this #vintagestroller??” - but mother Myfanwy, who brought Naomi and her brother up in southern England during their formative years, was having none of such Americanisms.
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Naomi and Liev before their split
Walter McBride via Getty Images
“This is not a vintage “stroller” heavens sake, what’s happened to your first language? This is a coach built Royale pramulator. You would sit out in it in all weathers. It had a fitted rain cover. It had storage for shopping in the base of the body and I would walk you 3 miles to the shop and back to get the groceries. Ben would sit at the end of your feet. Neither of you EVER got colds because you were rugged up warm and safe in this beautiful vehicle.......Stroller Indeed!!!!”
Tap the first picture below to open our slideshow:
Celebs Who Handled Their Splits Like A Boss
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake(01 of11)
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Let's be honest, break-ups can be messy, particularly in the glare of the spotlight, so it's good to see when two celebrities can put their differences aside and still be friends, as Cameron and Justin did - even eventually going on to star in 'Bad Teacher' together. (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
Harry Styles(02 of11)
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No one is exactly sure what happened between Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, but even after she appeared to mock him during an awards show performance, he's had nothing but good things to say about her and her music in the press.
Whether he's genuinely happy for her, or he's simply killing her with kindness is unclear, but either way, we could all learn a thing or two from Hazza. (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston(03 of11)
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And speaking of how to flawlessly handle a break-up... The media coverage surrounding Jennifer Aniston for the decade after her split from Brad Pitt, was often unnecessary, cruel and steeped in sexism.
Through it all, though, she kept her head high, continued working and, more importantly, smiling away, despite what was said about her in the press.
Now she's one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, and is married to her long-time partner, Justin Theroux. (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
Mariah Carey(04 of11)
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When she and the father of her two children, Nick Cannon, split, Mariah was determined not to give the press the dirt they were craving.
So much so, when approached by a TMZ reporter, Mimi said simply: "Oh, it's much too hot to talk."
Flawless. (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Elin Nordegren(05 of11)
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Elin Nordegren - better known as the former Mrs Tiger Woods - is our personal break-up hero.
So, your husband has repeatedly cheated on you and the world's media are talking about it? Whatever.
Elin's attitude throughout the scandal was flawless: head down, sunglasses on ... and just wait for that divorce settlement to roll in. Props to you, Elin. (credit:Orlando Sentinel via Getty Images)
Katy Perry(06 of11)
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However, sometimes it's difficult to pretend you're anything other than hurt. And do you know what? That's OK too.
In showing her vulnerable side in her documentary film, 'Part Of Me', Katy undoubtedly assured a lot of people that it's not about how hard you fall, it's how you get back up again. (credit:JB Lacroix via Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow(07 of11)
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Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't had a bad word to say about Chris Martin ever since they "consciously uncoupled" in 2014, and even spoke favourably about his relationship with Jennifer Lawrence.
Instead, she focused on her own career, her family and friends, and the continuing growth of her site, Goop. Now that's how you tackle a break-up like a boss. (credit:Sonia Moskowitz via Getty Images)
Katie Price(08 of11)
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Perhaps not quite to this extent, but sometimes a night out with your friends can be just the thing to get you through a break-up, as Katie Price proved when she flew to Ibiza, shortly after splitting up from Peter Andre. (credit:Dave Wood via Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez(09 of11)
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Determined not to let anyone paint her as a victim, J-Lo bounced back from her split with Marc Anthony by getting together with a far younger man.
Nice one, Jen. (credit:Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images)
Perrie Edwards(10 of11)
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Similarly, the world of entertainment journalism seemed determined to paint Perrie Edwards as a victim when she broke up with ex-fiancé Zayn Malik, particularly when he quickly got together with Gigi Hadid.
How did she respond to that? With independence anthem 'Shout Out To My Ex', which quickly topped the UK singles chart, and bagged Little Mix their first ever Brit Award. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Adele(11 of11)
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And then, of course, there's Adele, who managed to turn her disastrous break-up to her advantage and bag herself a wheelbarrow of Grammys, which we have all the admiration in the world for.
What was it Beyoncé said about 'lemons' and 'lemonade' again..? (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)