The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

    Amy-Will Wailers split heartbreaking

    I’m sure you’ve seen us around the Internet. Our complaints have spanned entire news feeds, and we’ve posted articles and links and gifs and pictures on the subject. Sometimes, you hear us talking in hushed tones in our homes. “Can you believe it?” “Is this really happening?”

    We are the ones crying onto our computer keys as we watch “Blades of Glory” over and over again (or is once just enough?). Because we are the Amy-Will Wailers, mourners of the high-profile relationship of two wonderful comedians.

    If you managed to escape of all the sadness in the last couple of days, the lowdown is this: After nine years of marriage and two kids, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett split up. In the world of high-profile celebrities, this isn’t uncommon (I feel like there’s another divorce every three days); however, it seems like this breakup has rocked most of the masses.

    I’ll admit it. I’ve been going around telling people that love is dead.

    Of course, there are bigger and maybe better things to worry about in the world. I’ve been told I need to calm down because — let’s face it — I don’t know these people personally. I’ve been sad too hard and for too long. Why should I care so much?

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    Two words: proper representation.

    Now, hero worship is kind of dumb; I will be the first to admit that. It’s a choice of looking toward someone else’s lifestyle instead of getting yours together. And while fun, we are sometimes too caught up in it, especially for our age.

    But sometimes, you can’t help it. And not because you’re a love-struck teenager with some crazy Beiber fever, or you got to know what dress Taylor Swift wore at the Grammys (although sometimes, you get swept). But because the person you’re fascinated with has some qualities you want to emulate.

    See for me — and I’m sure for a majority of the Amy-Will Wailers — Poehler and Arnett are some of the greatest people on the face of the earth. Separate, they are each funny in their own respective humors. They make up some of the greatest television shows the 21st century has ever seen, including “Arrested Development” and “Parks and Recreation.”

    Together, well, they weren’t just any comedian couple. They were cute without being overbearing, funny without being over the top, and stable enough to make us believe that not all celebrity relationships are crazy.

    Even the way they split up was super classy. There was no crazy cheating, or stabbing or huge, messy fight in Times Square. It came out of nowhere, and they both are handling it like champs from what I can tell. In fact, as The Huffington Post put it, the split was “amicable.” There is no “Team Amy” or “Team Will.” There is just sadness.

    I’m not bummed because Amy and Will are pretty and I want them to make more beautiful children (at least … that’s not my main concern). And I’m not exactly weeping and wailing and reading all of the articles because I have nothing to do.

    It’s just that it was refreshing to see two stars carry out a normal, adorable relationship. They represented everything I strive to have in a relationship.

    Honestly, it’s not even strange that some of us are upset. A little part of everyone is sad when they see a couple that had it together splits apart. Maybe it’s an aunt and uncle, or our best friend and their significant other.

    But right now, it’s Poehler and Arnett.

    So for all the ones who have their heads out of the clouds of melancholy, give us Wailers a couple of days to get steady. We’ll come down to reality soon and talk about something else. For now, though, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with “Blades of Glory.”

    Tolu is a senior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected].

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