Actress Emmy Rossum recently shared insights about her early experience with marriage and divorce during a guest appearance on the popular podcast, Call Her Daddy. The 39-year-old star, best known for her role in Shameless, discussed her brief union with Justin Siegel, reflecting on the thought processes that led her to marry at a tender age of 21.
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During the podcast episode, released on July 8, Rossum recalled the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Siegel, whom she met while he was working at Interscope Records. Their relationship intensified when Rossum landed a role in the film Dragonball Evolution, which required her to be in Mexico for six months. On the eve of her departure, Siegel expressed concerns about the sustainability of their long-distance relationship, suggesting they either break up or take the plunge and marry.
This pivotal conversation occurred just hours before Rossum was scheduled to fly out. “I remember the day that I was going away to make the movie,” she narrated. “He said something to me like, ‘I don’t know if the relationship is gonna survive the distance, so maybe we should break up or get married.’” In a moment of youthful impulsiveness, Rossum opted for marriage rather than separation.
Reflecting on her mindset at the time, she revealed, “My 21-year-old brain thought, ‘Divorce doesn’t seem that complicated. Like it’s probably pretty straightforward.’” This naïve perspective shaped her decision to proceed with the marriage, which Rossum later described as hasty and ill-conceived.
Rossum recounted how Siegel went so far as to print out a marriage contract from the internet and arrange for someone to officiate the ceremony in her home. “I found a white turtleneck that was in my closet and threw it on because I was like, ‘This is appropriate, right?’” she shared, indicating a lack of foresight into the situation. Moreover, she noted how she ignored the warning signs telling her this was not the right step to take, keeping their marriage under wraps as she sensed it was misguided.
Upon returning from Mexico, Rossum quickly realised that the marriage was not a suitable match. She remarked, “It became abundantly clear we weren’t a match in any way,” noting that Siegel did not make an effort to visit her during her filming commitments in 2009.
The actress also poignantly recounted the moment she had to inform her mother of the impending divorce. “I told my mom, ‘Hey, I’m breaking up with Justin, and I need a lawyer.’ And she was like, ‘You did not,’ and I was like, ‘I did,’” Rossum recalled, reflecting on her mother’s astonishment at the rapid turn of events.
Rossum and Siegel were married from 2008 until their divorce in 2010. Following the end of their marriage, Rossum moved on to a relationship with Adam Duritz, the lead singer of the band Counting Crows. Despite the challenges of her early married life, Rossum eventually found stability in her current marriage to television producer Sam Esmail, whom she wed in 2017. The couple welcomed their first child four years later, and their family grew once again in 2023 with the birth of their second child.
Looking ahead, Rossum is set to star in a new crime drama entitled Furious, where she will portray an FBI agent, demonstrating her continued commitment to her acting career following her experiences in both love and marriage. This latest chapter in her life signifies not only personal growth but also resilience as she navigates the complex world of fame and family.
Through sharing her story, Rossum offers an honest perspective on the age-related pressures of making significant life decisions, asserting that youthful impulsivity does not always lead to the best outcomes. Her journey serves as a reminder that understanding oneself and one’s relationships is crucial, especially when making decisions that can alter the course of one’s life.
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