Actor Josh Duhamel appeared on “The Skinny Confidential Him & Her” podcast on Monday, March 2, where he reflected on his marriage to Black Eyed Peas member Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson.
Duhamel and Fergie were married for eight years and welcomed a son named Axl Jack Duhamel before announcing their split in 2017. Now, the “Transformers” actor is looking back at why their marriage didn’t work out, explaining that they were simply living very different lives while emphasizing that he had “no regrets” about his time married to the pop star.
Josh Duhamel Reveals Why He & Fergie Split in 2017
GettyJosh Duhamel believes he and Fergie ultimately grew apart due to different perspectives on life. Speaking on “The Skinny Confidential” podcast, he shared, “We’re just very different. She and I just have very different views of the world, and that’s okay.”
Duhamel noted that despite their marriage ending, he had “no regrets” about their relationship. “We have a beautiful son,” he shared.
The actor also compared his current wife, Audra Mari, to his ex-wife, stating, “Both very different in a lot of ways, but both really, really great women.” He added, “Fergie is also very wholesome, believe it or not, especially since she stepped away from it all.”
“She’s a great mom, very kind, very non-confrontational, thank God,” he said.
Duhamel shared similar comments while appearing on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” in 2023. “We had a great time. I think we kind of outgrew each other and had very different interests,” he said, adding that the spotlight became too much to “handle.”
“I don’t think I ever really got comfortable with all of it,” he shared. “I’m just not a guy who is comfortable going to red carpets. Doing all the Hollywood stuff.”
Duhamel also revealed that he tried to persuade Fergie to move back to his home state of North Dakota, but it ultimately led to the couple splitting in 2017, with their divorce finalized in 2019.
Eventually, Duhamel found love again with his current wife, whom he met in North Dakota, with the couple tying the knot in 2022. They welcomed a son, Shepherd Lawrence Duhamel, in January 2024.
Duhamel Lives a More Private Life with His Family in Minnesota
GettyDuhamel no longer resides in Los Angeles, opting for a quieter and more private life in Minnesota with his family. Speaking to People in August 2025, he shared why he made the big leap to move away from the spotlight.
“I make movies and TV shows, and I love it, I truly do love it, but I had this calling to go and really do things with my hands again — fix things, make things and just do the basic things that we take for granted,” he said.
He continued, “I’m really more of a guy who wants to stay true to my roots, get back to the basics, hone whatever basic skills I need in this world of massive technology, to do the basic things to provide for my family. That’s really what it’s about for me.”
It seemed like the right move for Duhamel, who was born and raised in North Dakota and accustomed to the great outdoors. The actor built his family’s home from the ground up, sharing with People, “It’s an opportunity to get back to the basics and really enjoy the simple things in life, and that’s family, that’s friends, that’s making memories.”
