Benito Skinner and his partner Terrence O’Connor break up after 9 years of dating
Benito Skinner and Terrence O’Connor have broken up. (Getty)
Benito Skinner and Terrence O'Connor have broken up. (Getty)
Benito Skinner has announced the breakup of his relationship with Terrence O’Connor, a photographer and creative director known for his work with Charli XCX, after nine years of dating.
The actor and comedian, 31, announced the news via his podcast, RIDE, which he hosts with his friend and Overcompensating co-star, Mary Beth Barone.
In the latest episode released on Wednesday (22 October) Skinner – aka Benny Drama – addressed the news head on at the start. “I will say that we both just love each other so much and have so much love and respect for each other,” Skinner said, which he says they treated one another with “until the end.”
@pinknews Benito Skinner announced on his ‘RIDE’ podcast that he and longtime partner Terrence O’Connor have ended their relationship after nine years, describing the split as “amicable.”The ‘Overcompensating’ star reflected that they “grew up together in so many ways,” and expressed gratitude for the time they shared, saying “We both just love each other so much and have so much love and respect for each other.”He also acknowledged his fans’ investment in their romance, urging them not to lose faith in love even as the relationship ends.Though the two plan to move forward separately, Skinner said O’Connor will “always be a friend of this pod,” adding a joke about a stipulation of their breakup: “He will never date an actor younger than me.” #BenitoSkinner #TerrenceOConnor #Overcompensating #breakup #lgbtqia ♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi
He also urged fans to not stop believing in love, which he explained people had commented they’d do over the years if the pair ever broke up. “I would strongly urge to not do that,” he said adding that being with “someone so special to me for nine years,” was proof of love.
Skinner went on to say he was “unbelievably lucky” to have met O’Connor as well as his family.
Beth Barone chimed in to add that it was an “amicable” split and that they are all “still riding for Terry.” Skinner then said, “There’s no foul play,” though that hasn’t stopped speculation online. “I’m always gonna be rooting for him,” Skinner then said.
After the Overcompensating creator said he felt he was “letting the kids down,” he thanked Beth Barone for being there for him. The actress also said reflected on both of them being in their 30s which is “a huge time for change.”
Beth Barone then said, “I don’t know what to say other than I love you both so dearly, and thank you for parting ways on such good terms where we can really just ride for both of you. I just don’t know what to say.”
Skinner also shared he’d had one encounter at an airport where he’d been crying and someone came up to him and said, “Love you, Benny” and walked away. “That’s a beautiful moment,” said Beth Barone.
O’Connor has yet to comment on the split publicly. The pair, who met at a party in 2016, were last seen on social media together at Charli XCX’s wedding in Italy in September.
Speaking to Nylon earlier this year, O’Connor explained that when he met Skinner he had “a That’s So Raven moment where I was immediately like, ‘I’m going to marry him’.”
Watch the full RIDE podcast episode below:
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
