Lifestyle influencer MacKenzie Smith has announced she is splitting from her pro surfer husband, Jeremy Johnston.
“Jeremy and I have decided to end our marriage,” the Florida-based social media star, 39, shared via Instagram on Tuesday, August 25. “The past six months have been some of the hardest of my life. I’ve been struggling physically, mentally and emotionally while navigating the biggest transition I’ve ever faced.”
The “Grilled Cheese Social” content creator continued, “Keeping something this big to myself has honestly felt really lonely. Some days have felt impossibly heavy. But other days, I can finally see little glimpses of brighter days ahead.”
Smith and Johnston, 40, share two children, daughter Poppy and son Jett.
Smith, who is also a food author and Food Network personality, did not expand as to why she has split from Jeremy, whom she married in a surprise wedding in December 2018, but did address public interest in an explanation. “I’m not going to get into the details of why. Some things are ours to work through privately, especially for our kids,” she wrote in the post. “What I will say is that I truly wish Jeremy nothing but the best. Regardless of what we’ve been through, he is the father of my children, and our kids deserve two parents who are healthy, happy and cheering them (and each other) on.”
The influencer, who boasts more than 800,000 Instagram fans alone, also explained that the split has changed her typically enthusiastic career approach and fan engagement. “A few of you have noticed things feel different and that I’ve been more absent than normal and have since reached out,” she explained. “And I truly appreciate it. I do want to say that I haven’t stayed quiet because I’m trying to pretend everything is perfect. Quite honestly, it’s felt like the exact opposite.”
She concluded of her absence, “I waited because I wanted my kids to know before the entire internet did.”
Fans took to the post’s comments section to share their sympathy for Smith’s personal news. “You have so many people who love you and are cheering you on through all of it. We got you, sweet girl!” wrote one fan. Another follower commented, “So glad you took the time to announce your way. Love you to bits.”
Just hours prior to Smith’s announcement going live, Johnston shared a message about community kindness via his own Instagram. “Just sharing a little kindness on Flagler Ave this morning because that’s what our community is all about!” he captioned a video that showed him donating clothes to locals at New Smyrna Beach.
At the time of publication, the athlete, who rarely shares content stemming from his personal life, had not publicly commented on his split from Smith.
