Scarlett Johansson Doesn't Think Monogamy Is 'Natural', Weeks After Announcing Split From Husband

Last month, Scarlett Johansson and her husband Romain Dauriac reportedly called an end to the marriage, two years after saying 'I do' and welcoming the birth of their daughter, Rose Dorothy.

However, before news of the pair's split hit the headlines, the Avengers actress revealed she doesn't believe in the concept of monogamy.

In an interview for the March/April issue of Playboy, the 32-year-old admits that, while the idea of marriage is 'beautiful', it's not 'natural' for couples to commit to each other for life, given the responsibility and difficulties people commonly face during a marital union.

She says: 'I think the idea of marriage is very romantic; it's a beautiful idea, and the practice of it can be a very beautiful thing.

'I don't think it's natural to be a monogamous person. I might be skewered for that, but I think it's work. It's a lot of work,' she adds.

Johansson – who was previously been married to actor Ryan Reynolds for two years – continued to admit she believes the fact people view marriage as hard work is proof that 'it is not a natural thing'.

'It's something I have a lot of respect for and have participated in, but I think it definitely goes against some instinct to look beyond.

'I have friends who were together for 10 years and then decided to get married, and I'll ask them on their wedding day or right after if it's different, and it always is. It is. It's a beautiful responsibility, but it's a responsibility,' she continues.

This isn't the first time the actress has spoken out in favour of polyamory – where individuals may have more than one partner. In an interview with Cosmopolitan in 2008, the American star said monogamy wasn't a 'natural instinct' during her marriage to Reynolds.

However, Johansson isn't the only celebrity to shun the idea of monogamy as the likes of Cameron Diaz, Tom Ford, Emma Thompson and Will Smith have all spoken out against the archaic notion of conventional monogamous relationships.

While promoting the film, The Other Woman, in 2014, Diaz revealed she doesn't think anyone is truly monogamous.

'I don't know if anyone is really naturally monogamous. We all have the same instincts as animals. But we live in a society where it's been ingrained in us to do these things,' she told Instyle.

Each to their own.

Katie O'Malley

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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.