Another Hollywood breakup just dropped.
Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges revealed Wednesday that he and his wife Bettijo Hirschi are officially calling it quits. The 60-year-old former child star confirmed that the couple is planning to divorce, just three years after tying the knot.
In a statement to TMZ, Todd kept things respectful and grown:
“After much thought and mutual respect, we have decided to end our marriage. During our time together we shared meaningful moments, but have chosen to go our separate ways. I ask for privacy and wish her nothing but love and happiness moving forward.”
No drama. No mess.
Todd and Bettijo married on September 25, 2022 in a small Beverly Hills ceremony with about 40 guests, followed by a reception at Il Cielo. Bettijo, who works as a photographer, designer, and event planner, mostly stayed out of the spotlight during their marriage.
But once the divorce news hit… social media did what it always does.
Instead of focusing on the split, people on Twitter immediately started coming for Bettijo’s appearance. For context, she is about 6-foot-3 and has a strong, athletic build. Some users made rude comments, calling her “handsome” and cracking jokes about her looks.
TODD BRIDGES, DORI BRIDGES
And then things went even further.
Media Take Out saw multiple posts where people began speculating that Bettijo might be transgender, with absolutely no evidence to support it. No statement from Todd. No confirmation from Bettijo. Just strangers on the internet jumping to conclusions based on how she looks.
Let’s be clear: there is no proof of that claim, and neither Todd nor Bettijo has ever suggested anything of the sort. But that did not stop social media from running with it anyway.
In fact, there’s proof she is Not trans. Bettijo has a daughter, whom by all accounts she likely birthed.
The reaction has sparked backlash from others online, who are calling out the body-shaming and the harmful speculation. Many are pointing out that a woman being tall or physically strong does not make her “less feminine,” and that questioning someone’s gender identity for clicks or laughs is both unnecessary and cruel.
As for what actually led to the divorce, neither Todd nor Bettijo has shared details. There are no reports of cheating, no public blowups, and no messy court filings. By all appearances, this is simply two adults deciding to go their separate ways.
Which, in Hollywood, is almost refreshing.
Todd has lived much of his life in the public eye, from childhood fame to personal struggles and reinvention. In recent years, fans thought he had finally found stability, so the news of the split surprised many.
But what is even more surprising is how quickly the conversation shifted from a private divorce to public ridicule.
At the end of the day, a marriage ended. Two people are moving on. And dragging someone’s looks or spreading unfounded rumors about their identity is not “tea.”
It is just mean.
Sometimes a divorce is just a divorce.
No scandal. No secrets.
Just life.