IMAGINE DRAGONS' DAN REYNOLDS PRAISES EX AJA VOLKMAN FOLLOWING PAINFUL DIVORCE: 'NEVER BEEN A MOMENT OF ANGER' (EXCLUSIVE)
The rocker's new album 'Loom' is out now
Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds knew that divorce would be difficult. But now, nearly two years on, the rocker knows he made the right decision — even if it came with some heartache.
The musician, 36, opens up to PEOPLE in this week’s issue about the rocky road he and singer Aja Volkman faced in the wake of their 2022 split, and the ways in which they’ve put on a united front for their four children.
“Divorce is really hard, especially when you really care about the person,” says Reynolds, who finalized his divorce in March after announcing a separation in 2022 after 11 years of marriage. “I think because our marriage didn’t end because of infidelity or things like that, we’ve been able to communicate through the whole process. There’s never been a moment of anger between the two of us — just hurt.
The “Nice to Meet You” singer explains that he was just 23 years old when he and Volkman, 44, tied the knot in 2011, and that “a lot changed” over their decade together, which brought them daughter Arrow, 11, twin girls Gia and Coco, 7, and son Valentine, 4.
“We worked really hard to stay together and went through a lot of different therapists,” he says. “It’s one of those things where I know that the right decision was made, but also there’s a lot of pain still. Even when you know something’s the right decision doesn’t mean that it is an easy decision. Especially when you have kids involved. There’s a lot more at play than just the two of you and your hearts.”
Just as he’s always done, Reynolds was able to channel his emotions into song, and several tracks on Imagine Dragons’ latest album Loom (out now) seem to hint at the complicated feelings behind the breakup.
“That’s the way I process life, is through music,” he says. “Whether it was Mormonism or heartbreak or joy or sadness, music has always been my go-to to see how I’m feeling and express it.”
Related: Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds and Ex Aja Volkman Finalize Divorce and Will Share Custody of 4 Kids
Reynolds has since moved on with actress Minka Kelly, but maintains that Volkman remains an important part of his life.
“[Fatherhood] is my favorite part of life. It brings me immense joy,” he says. “I count myself really lucky that I have an incredible co-parent.”
The "Believer" performer is currently gearing up to take Loom on the road with bandmates Wayne Sermon and Ben McKee in what will be Imagine Dragons’ largest North American headlining tour to date.
“The album is really [about the] present, but it’s also looking into the past and the future, being a little fearful of what’s to come but excited — [it’s about] new beginnings,” he says.
For more on Dan Reynolds, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands this week.
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Read the original article on People.
2024-07-03T16:10:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd