World-famous travel bloggers who earn a six-figure salary from sharing their jet-setting lifestyle on Instagram have announced their shock split after five years together.
In separate posts uploaded late Tuesday night, Manchester-born Jack Morris, 30, aka @doyoutravel, and his Australian girlfriend Lauren Bullen, 28, best known as @gypsealust, revealed they had quietly parted ways in March.
The duo famously used their income from social media to build a $1.2million three-storey Balinese mansion complete with a sunken lounge room, marble swimming pool, designer kitchen and a home cinema theatre in 2019.
Lauren said the decision was ‘for sure the hardest’ she has ever made, before cryptically adding: ‘Sadly the last year, we let our relationship slip away from under us.’
Jack, a former carpet cleaner who left the UK to travel the world in 2012, said he spent ‘by far the best years’ of his life with Lauren, claiming no one has inspired him the way she has.
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The dream is over: ‘Instagram famous’ travelling couple Jack Morris (left) and Lauren Bullen (right) shocked fans by announcing their split after five years together
In separate posts uploaded late Tuesday night, Manchester-born Jack and Australian Lauren revealed they had quietly parted ways in March
‘It’s really hard for me to find words for this post, and a post I really never thought I’d be making.. but life happened and Jack and I decided to separate last month. This for sure was the hardest decision I’ve ever made,’ Lauren began.
‘Sadly the last year we let our relationship slip away from under us. I know from the outside it looked like we had everything you could want and more, but one thing was missing, something more important to me than anything, happiness.’
She continued: ‘Jack you were the best thing to come into my life.. we had an instant and inseparable connection. I’m so proud of everything we achieved together it’s more than I could have ever imagined for my life, which I thank you for.
‘You pushed me to work harder and dream bigger and I was always so inspired by your dedication and determination to succeed.’
Lauren revealed the pair had spent the past few weeks in tears, opening up about troubles they had been hiding from one another and reminiscing on the past five years of ‘love, adventure and fun’ which ultimately led them to agree they should end their romantic relationship.
The duo famously used their income from social media to build a $1.2million three-storey Balinese mansion (pictured) complete with a sunken lounge room, marble swimming pool, designer kitchen and a home cinema theatre in 2019
They built their dream home (pictured) from scratch using only the money they make off the photo-sharing platform
Jack (pictured with Lauren in happier times) took a leap of faith nine years ago and quit his job as a carpet cleaner after deciding he needed more adventure in his life
‘[It] brought us both so much closure and understanding of why we couldn’t make it work as a couple any longer,’ she wrote.
‘Many of you have followed our full journey together but for sure it’s the moments no one else sees, just us being us and the Jack that only I really got to see, that’s what I’ll miss more than anything.’
Jack echoed his ex-love’s words, starting his post by saying: ‘It was a real difficult decision for both of us, but a decision we know is for the best.
‘I spent by far the best years of my life with this girl, and I’ll cherish those memories forever. It’s pretty rare to find someone you instantly click with, share the same dreams with, and then be fortunate enough to go out and take on the world together.’
The former carpet cleaner addressed Lauren directly, saying while it is difficult for him to understand why they grew apart, he will ‘always be there’ for her.
Lauren said the decision was ‘for sure the hardest’ she has ever made, before cryptically adding: ‘Sadly the last year, we let our relationship slip away from under us.’
News of the split sent shockwaves through the couple’s combined 4.5million follower base, with hundreds of friends and fans responding with messages of support
‘I remember meeting you and feeling like I hit the jackpot, cuddling up during our first movie night in Fiji, the first time we held hands whilst walking in Sri Lanka, telling you I love you for the first time and you not hearing me… damn, where did the time go?’ he wrote.
Jack paid tribute to their time together, saying that despite the glamorous lifestyle they portray online, it’s the ‘little day by day moments that aren’t shared with the world’ that he will miss the most.
‘Who knows where this next chapter will take us, wherever it does, I’ll always be so thankful for the years we spent together, and for our friendship that we’ll always continue to share,’ he added.
The exes – who sell Lightroom presets which fans and fellow content creators can use to edit photos, as well as enjoying sponsorship deals with global brands such as Royal Caribbean Cruises, Disney, Air NZ, Airbnb and Tiffany & Co. – ended their posts by promising to remain close friends and business partners.
News of the split sent shockwaves through the couple’s combined 4.5million follower base, with hundreds of friends and fans responding with messages of support.
Jack paid tribute to their time together, saying that despite the glamorous lifestyle they portray online, it’s the ‘little day by day moments that aren’t shared with the world’ that he will miss the most
Jack said the break-up was ‘a real difficult decision for both of us, but a decision we know is for the best’
‘I’m sorry to read this, but I think it’s strong of you both to take this step – happiness is the most important thing in the world. Thinking of you both & sending lots of love!’ one person replied.
‘Never easy – have so much respect for you and wish nothing but the best for you both,’ said a second.
A third added: ‘I didn’t expect to read that. All my love to you guys.’
Jack and Lauren last made headlines at the start of the pandemic when they were criticised for ‘bragging’ about self-isolating in their Balinese mansion while millions in their home countries lined up for welfare payments.
Lauren had wanted to fly home in accordance with government instructions for Australians to return but said she was not prepared to leave her partner and their dog Oreo behind.
Photos of their time in isolation showed Jack playing Mario Kart on a lavish cinema-style screen in a palatial living area that boasts views of their pool outside.
Jack and Lauren last made headlines at the start of the pandemic when they were criticised for ‘bragging’ about self-isolating in their Balinese mansion (pictured) while millions in their home countries lined up for welfare payments
Photos of their time in isolation showed Jack playing Mario Kart on a lavish cinema-style screen in a palatial living area that boasts views of their pool outside
Lauren is seen in the kitchen of the couple’s $1.2million Balinese mansion in 2020
‘What our self-isolation looks like here in Bali. Netflix and Mario Kart is pretty much my life right now! What are you guys doing to keep entertained at home? Hope everyone is staying safe,’ he wrote in the caption.
A fan quickly lashed out, telling him: ‘Things could be worse mate’.
Another wrote ‘sick brag’ underneath the photo, while a third said: ‘Wow, there are different levels of quarantine in the world’.
In Australia alone more than one million were left unemployed when lockdown began on March 23, 2020, with many more suffering psychologically from the effects of isolation.