Quinta Brunson has split from her husband. The news comes as a surprise to fans who have followed her rise to fame in recent years.
The “Abbott Elementary” star filed for divorce from Kevin Jay Anik, who she married in October 2021, on Wednesday, March 19, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. The popular ABC sitcom, created by Brunson, is currently in its third season and has won multiple industry awards.
According to documents obtained by People magazine, the 35-year-old star listed their date of separation as ‘TBD’ (to be determined) and requested she and Kevin be responsible for their own attorney’s fees. Court records indicate the filing was made in Los Angeles County.
Brunson also noted the former couple had “entered into a postnuptial agreement which governs the disposition of their property.” Legal experts note that postnuptial agreements have become increasingly common among entertainment industry professionals.
The ‘Lazor Wulf’ actress has largely kept her relationship out of the spotlight, but she shared a photo of her engagement ring on social media in 2020. Throughout her career, Brunson has maintained a strong boundary between her professional and personal life, rarely discussing her relationship in interviews.
However, she never confirmed their marriage until referring to Kevin as her husband in her acceptance speech for the Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series accolade at the 2022 Emmy Awards, for which she was the first solo black woman to win the prize. This historic win catapulted Brunson into television royalty and cemented her place as one of the industry’s most talented writer-performers.
“In case I am not back up here again, I have to thank my mom, dad, brothers and sisters, my cousins … my wonderful husband because he’s the most supportive man I’ve ever known and my incredible cast and show for helping me to make this show and make the pilot,” she said at the time. The heartfelt speech resonated with audiences and industry professionals alike.
And when Brunson won the Best Musical or Comedy Actress at the 2023 Golden Globes, she gave Anik another shoutout, before doing so again at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where she was the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy in 42 years. Her achievement broke a decades-long barrier in the television industry, highlighting the slow pace of diversity within major award categories.
“Thank you so much I love making ‘Abbott Elementary’ so much and I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy, and I say it every time and I just love comedy so much that I am so happy to be able to get this. I didn’t prepare anything because I just didn’t think … Oh god. I love my mom, my dad, my sisters, my brothers, my entire family so much. I love my husband. I’m so happy. I love my cast. Oh, I love ‘Abbott Elementary.’ Thank you so much,” she said at the latter event. Her genuine emotion during the speech connected with viewers worldwide.
Brunson‘s rise to fame began with her viral Instagram series which led to positions at BuzzFeed and eventually her groundbreaking work creating and starring in “Abbott Elementary.” The show has been praised for its authentic portrayal of public education and has won numerous awards including multiple Emmys and Golden Globes.
Representatives for both Brunson and Anik have not responded to requests for comment regarding the divorce filing. Industry insiders note that the timing coincides with production wrapping on the current season of Abbott Elementary.
The divorce comes during a particularly busy professional period for Brunson, who recently signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television that will see her developing new projects across multiple platforms. She is also expected to continue her work both in front of and behind the camera for the foreseeable future.
Despite her private nature regarding personal matters, Brunson has been vocal about the importance of work-life balance in Hollywood. In interviews, she has discussed the challenges of maintaining relationships while managing a successful career in television production.
Fans have expressed support on social media, respecting Brunson’s privacy while celebrating her continued professional success. The divorce filing has not impacted production schedules for Abbott Elementary, which has already been renewed for a fourth season.
