Rumer Willis Says Friend’s Wedding Made Her Realize Relationship Needed to End

Rumer Willis is opening up about why she ended her relationship with Derek Richard Thomas, the father of her 3-year-old daughter, Louetta.

Speaking on The Inside Edit podcast, Willis said she realized the relationship was over while attending her friend Maeve Reilly’s wedding in June 2024. Hearing the couple’s vows made her recognize that her own relationship “was never going to look like that.”

Willis said the moment pushed her to “have more value” for herself and leave the relationship, despite being scared. She described the romance as “really brutal and challenging” but said she now feels “back in my power” after the breakup.

The actress also shared what she wants in a future partner, saying she is looking for someone with “consistent communication” who actively pursues and supports her. Willis confirmed she has started dating again after taking time off following the split.

Willis and Thomas split in August 2024. The former couple welcomed daughter Louetta in April 2023.

The actress has previously spoken about the difficulties of single motherhood, writing in an emotional Instagram post last year that “some days doing everything alone can be hard.”