The former couple met in 2017 while shooting the reggaeton musician’s music video for “Sigo Extrañándote”
Credit: Lester Cohen/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- J Balvin and his longtime girlfriend Valentina Ferrer have split
- In an Instagram Stories post shared on Wednesday, Sept. 16, the former Miss Universe contestant announced that she and the reggaeton musician were headed on “separate paths”
- J Balvin and Ferrer met while filming his “Sigo Extrañándote” music video in 2017
J Balvin and his longtime girlfriend Valentina Ferrer have called it quits.
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the former Miss Universe contestant announced that she and the reggaeton musician were headed on “separate paths” in an Instagram Stories post.
“After sharing so many years and important moments together, José and I have decided to take separate paths,” Ferrer, 32, began the post, which was written in Spanish.
Credit: Valentina Ferrer/Instagram
She added, “[Our split] has been a decision made from love, respect and the desire to do what is best for our family. Our priority will continue to be always accompanying Río with all our love.”
Ferrer then asked the public to give her and Balvin (whose full name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín), 41, privacy while they navigate this new chapter.
“We are going through this process calmly and deeply appreciate the understanding and respect toward this very personal moment for us,” she concluded.
Ferrer’s announcement comes days after fan speculation erupted following a TikTok video she posted, which featured Karol G‘s breakup anthem “Alguien Que Te Amaba.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Balvin and Ferrer for additional comment.
In an interview with Brazil’s G Show on Thursday, Sept. 10, Ferrer commented on her relationship with Balvin.
“There isn’t [one key]. Each couple develops a different kind of complicity and way of approaching the relationship,” she said at the time. “It’s more about respecting each other, knowing how to communicate, and a lot of companionship.”
During that interview, she also revealed she would not be joining Balvin at the Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro.
“Río is 5 years old and already has his own routine with school, activities and playtime. We’re always adjusting our daily lives so we can enjoy time with Río,” Ferrer said at the time. “He doesn’t yet understand the scope of our careers, but that will come with time.”
Balvin met Ferrer while shooting his music video for “Sigo Extrañándote” in 2017, and they began dating in 2018.
In June 2021, the former couple welcomed a son Río, now 5, after announcing their pregnancy two months prior via Vogue Mexico.
“I did the pregnancy test in the bathroom with my dog to not be alone,” the Argentinian model explained at the time. “I did three tests in a row because I couldn’t believe it.”
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She revealed that when she told Balvin, “he froze.”
“He was happy, but it was like a call from Zoom that does not work when the WiFi crashes. He stayed frozen,” said Ferrer. “I told him in person, but that’s how he reacted.”
After Río was born, Balvin explained the meaning behind their son’s name while on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“Rio, like river, I want him to just float,” he said.
Credit: Taylor Hill/WireImage
Ferrer previously spoke about not being bothered by the spotlight that came with her relationship.
“I enjoy it, I love going to events. I love music and I love to be able to go with him,” she told People en Español. “I feel comfortable in front of cameras so that’s never been a problem.”
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