After more than two decades of marriage and a relationship spanning 26 years, Grey’s Anatomy alum Chyler Leigh and musician Nathan West have officially parted ways. The 44-year-old actress, also beloved for her role in Supergirl, confirmed the news during a candid appearance on the “Books That Changed My Life” podcast on May 14, 2026.
Leigh described the decision as a necessary step for both their personal growth and the well-being of their family.
Breaking the Cycle Why the Marriage Ended
Reflecting on the longevity of their bond—having been together since they were teenagers—Leigh explained that the relationship had simply reached its natural conclusion.
“I think getting to a point where my relationship with my ex had reached a point where it was just time. It was time to let it go,” she told the podcast. “We’d been together—it would be 26 years this year.”
Leigh was remarkably open about the deeper reasons behind the split, citing “family trauma” that both she and West had endured in their pasts. She realized that they were beginning to “perpetuate that cycle” within their own home.
“It just shifts the mood and the dynamic of everything… we had to make a choice. We have to make a decision,” she noted.
Read more ; My Brother Pablo’ Vin Diesel Breaks Down Over Paul Walker at Cannes 2026
Co-Parenting and No Bitterness
Despite the split, the actress emphasized that there is no bad blood between her and West. The couple, who married in 2002, share three children: Noah (23), Taelyn (19), and Anniston (17).
Leigh shared that the children had already begun to sense the shift in the household dynamic, which motivated the couple to finalize the separation. Their current focus is maintaining a healthy environment for their family while avoiding resentment. “We no longer wanted the same things,” she admitted, adding that they are doing everything possible to handle the transition gracefully.
A Legacy of 26 Years
The pair first met in 1999 during an audition for a WB pilot when Leigh was just 16 years old. They famously starred together in the 1997 film Kickboxing Academy and frequently collaborated on music projects throughout their marriage.
As Chyler Leigh enters this new chapter of her life, fans have flooded social media with support, praising her for her vulnerability regarding mental health and the difficult choice to prioritize personal peace over a long-term “perpetuation of trauma.”