It looks like Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of Abbott Elementary, is going through a major life change. The 35-year-old actress, writer, and producer has filed for divorce from her husband, Kevin Jay Anik, citing “irreconcilable differences” after three years of marriage.
Brunson’s filing also notes that the couple has a postnuptial agreement, which outlines how their assets will be divided, and that both will be covering their own legal fees.
Despite her skyrocketing fame, Brunson has always been incredibly private about her relationship. She confirmed her engagement in 2020 but didn’t publicly acknowledge her marriage until her 2022 Emmy win, when she became the first Black woman to take home the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. During her speech, she called Anik a “wonderful” husband and “the most supportive man I’ve ever known.”
The following year, during her Golden Globe acceptance speech, she once again gave him a heartfelt shoutout: “I love my husband. I’m so happy.”
Most fans first got to know Brunson as Janine Teagues on Abbott Elementary, the hit ABC comedy inspired by her experiences in Philadelphia public schools. The show’s name is a tribute to her former middle school teacher, Ms. Abbott.
But before she became a TV powerhouse, Brunson was a viral internet star. Back in 2013, during the early days of Instagram comedy, she created the now-iconic sketch “The Girl Who’s Never Been on a Nice Date”, which introduced the world to the catchphrase “He got money!” That video exploded online, leading her to a job at BuzzFeed and eventually launching her successful career in television.
While Brunson hasn’t made a public statement about the divorce, fans are showing their support as she navigates this next chapter.
