The Colombian singer and model have announced their separation after nearly 10 years together, saying their son Río will remain their priority.
Colombian singer J Balvin and model Valentina Ferrer have ended their relationship after nearly a decade together, with Ferrer confirming that the couple have decided to go their separate ways.
Ferrer, 32, who previously competed in the Miss Universe pageant, announced the split on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16. She said she and J Balvin had made the decision after sharing years of important moments together.
“After sharing so many years and important moments together, José and I have decided to take separate paths,” Ferrer wrote.
J Balvin, whose real name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, first met Ferrer in 2017 while working on the music video for his song Sigo Extrañándote. The pair subsequently began dating and later started a family together.
The couple welcomed their son, Río, in June 2021.
Valentina Ferrer says family remains a priority
In an Instagram Story, Ferrer said the decision to end their relationship was made with love and respect, while making clear that their family would remain a priority.
“Our priority will continue to be always accompanying Río with all our love,” she wrote.
The model also asked fans and the public to respect their privacy as they adjust to the significant change in their family life.
“We are going through this process calmly and deeply appreciate the understanding and respect toward this very personal moment for us,” Ferrer added.
Neither Ferrer nor J Balvin has indicated that the separation will affect their commitment to co-parenting their son.
Ferrer recently discussed their long-term relationship
The announcement came just days after Ferrer spoke about her long-term relationship with J Balvin during an interview with Brazil’s G Show.
Asked about the secret behind their nearly decade-long relationship, Ferrer said there was no single formula for maintaining a successful partnership.
“There isn’t [one key]. Each couple develops a different kind of complicity and way of approaching the relationship,” she said.
Ferrer explained that mutual respect, communication and companionship had been important elements of their relationship.
“It’s more about respecting each other, knowing how to communicate, and a lot of companionship,” she added.
The former couple’s announcement marks the end of a relationship that began in 2017 and included the birth of their son four years later.
While they have chosen to separate as a couple, Ferrer’s statement makes clear that Río will remain at the centre of their family life as they move forward.