Entertainment TV Chelsea Handler Announces Breakup with Jo Koy: 'Continue to Root for Us' The Chelsea Lately alum made the pair's relationship Instagram official in September 2021 By Dory Jackson, Dory Jackson Dory Jackson is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE's digital TV team. While at the brand, she's had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She has also helped recap popular TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' 'Sister Wives' and 'Vanderpump Rules.' The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus on Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. People Editorial Guidelines Melody Chiu, Melody Chiu Melody Chiu is an Executive Editor at PEOPLE overseeing music, events and emerging content. She has been with the brand since 2009, editing, writing and reporting across all entertainment verticals. She has written cover stories on Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Melissa McCarthy, Blake Shelton, Jordan Turpin and Sandra Oh. The Los Angeles native graduated from the University of Southern California and has appeared on Extra!, The Talk, Access Hollywood and Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines and Charmaine Patterson Charmaine Patterson Charmaine Patterson is an Associate Editor at PEOPLE. She first began working at PEOPLE in 2021 as a Digital News Writer. Her work has previously appeared on xoNecole, The Lakelander, and Aspire TV. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 18, 2022 10:30PM EDT Chelsea Handler and Jo Koy are going their separate ways. The former Chelsea host, 47, shared via Instagram on Monday that she and Koy have split. Posting a video that the two planned to share on their one-year anniversary, Handler wrote in the caption, "It is with a heavy heart to announce that we have decided together that it is best for us to take a break from our relationship right now." A source tells PEOPLE that those close to the pair do hope this is a temporary situation. "Their friends are hoping they can still work it out. But if anything, it's clear their relationship has changed them both for the better," the source says. Chelsea Handler Shares the Qualities She Was Looking for in a Partner on Jo Koy's Birthday: 'Got It All' In her touching Instagram post, Handler told fans, "I know many of you were invested in our love, and I wanted to express to you how much that meant to both of us. How much it still means. And how much I now believe in love for each one of us." For more on Chelsea Handler and Jo Koy's split, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. She saluted Koy and said he "blew my heart open with love and because of him, my life experience has changed forever." getty (2) Added Handler: "To be loved and adored by @jokoy has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. He renewed my faith in men, in love, in being 100% who I am, and I've never been more optimistic for the future." In an open message to Koy, Handler told him, "You blew my creativity open, my lust for working hard again, being on the road again, and you reminded me who I was and always have been, and my feet have never been more firmly planted in the ground." jo koy / instagram "This is not an ending. It's another beginning, and it's a comfort to know that I am still loved and love this man the way the sun loves the moon and the moon loves the sun. YOUR PERSON IS COMING," Handler wrote, ending with, "So, please continue to root for both of us, because you never know what life will bring and let's first start by all going to the theater on August 5th to buy tickets to Jo's new movie EASTER SUNDAY and Filipino PRIDE! Let's go!" Handler and Koy, 51, were introduced by a mutual friend almost 20 years ago. Koy then went on to make regular appearances on Handler's former E! show, Chelsea Lately, which ran from 2007 to 2014. Handler recently served as a guest host for Jimmy Kimmel Live, making fans excited about her potential return to late-night television. Handler and Koy first sparked dating rumors in September when they were spotted looking cozy at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. She then posted about being in love, but she concealed Koy's identity at the time. "Just sitting here in Mallorca thinking about how grateful I am to have so many people that I love in my life, to live the life I do and to be going on tour doing what I love," she captioned an Instagram post, which featured a photo of herself appearing content. The comedian continued, "And that I'm finally in love, with the best kind of guy there is. There is hope for everyone! That kind of stuff." Chelsea Handler/Instagram Chelsea Handler Shares 'Appreciation' for Boyfriend Jo Koy: 'Best Boyfriend I've Ever Had' Handler made the pair's relationship Instagram official days later as she shared two pics, one of which featured the twosome kissing. "He's on tour, I'm on tour, sometimes we tour together," she captioned her post, adding, "#VaccinatedAndHorny #FunnyIsFunny. All coming to a city near you!" On her Dear Chelsea podcast in October, Koy — who is also a comedian — joined Handler to have a candid conversation about their relationship. While they agreed their chemistry was "amazing" from the start, Handler didn't initially think of Koy romantically because he had "brother energy." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "You have a lot of similar qualities that my brother had," she told Koy, referencing her older brother, Chet, who died in 1984. "So, in many ways, like I just feel so completely safe. And I feel like, 'oh, this is family,' like I've always felt that way about you, that you're family. I just didn't want to f--- you before." Handler said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October that she "fell in love at the age of 46." As a result, she now has "hope for every person in this world." "One day I just looked at [Jo] and I thought, 'Oh that's my guy!' " she recalled. "So he's like my best buddy and then I also, you know, get to have sex with him. … Fun time!"