At a Glance
- Emeli Sandé and Yoana Karemova ended their engagement in summer 2025
- The couple cited career focus as the reason for their separation
- They went public in April 2022 and got engaged in September 2022
- Why it matters: Fans followed their relationship and engagement plans for over three years
British singer Emeli Sandé has confirmed that she and her fiancée, classical pianist Yoana Karemova, have ended their engagement. The couple decided to separate in the summer of 2025, according to a statement Sandé gave to The Sun on January 19, 2026.
The Split
“Sadly, we decided to separate in the summer. We both care very much for each other but needed to focus our time and energy on our music careers,” Sandé told the outlet.
The 38-year-old singer emphasized that the decision was mutual and rooted in their professional commitments. The pair had been together for over three years before calling off their engagement.
Relationship Timeline
Sandé first spoke publicly about her relationship with Karemova in April 2022. At that time, she told Metro that they “met through music.” The connection between the two musicians became a central part of their story.
In September 2022, the couple announced their engagement. Sandé shared a photo on social media showing off her engagement ring, followed by two additional posts on her Instagram Stories featuring the ring and a photo with Karemova.
Personal Reflections
After going public with their relationship in 2022, Sandé posted a heartfelt message on social media:
“It’s taken me many years to find the strength to be myself. I’ve struggled for a long time to accept myself as I am. I’m so lucky to have found my soul mate Yoana, she’s such an extraordinary woman!”
When asked about her sexuality in the April 2022 interview, Sandé responded: “I’m not sure what I identify as but I guess so. I just feel like I should fall in love with whoever I fall in love with.”
Wedding Plans on Hold
The couple had initially planned to marry in 2023. However, they postponed the wedding due to Sandé’s professional schedule. In a November 2023 interview with Metro, she explained:
“We’ve kind of put them on hold until I get this album out and we do the shows this year but we’ll probably start planning next year or early next year.”
Those plans never materialized, as the couple separated before any new wedding date could be set.
Previous Marriage
Before her relationship with Karemova, Sandé was married to her childhood sweetheart, Adam Gouraguine. The pair wed in 2012 and divorced in 2016, two years before she began dating Karemova.
Key Takeaways
- Emeli Sandé and Yoana Karemova ended their engagement in summer 2025
- The split was attributed to career focus rather than personal conflict
- The couple had postponed their 2023 wedding plans due to Sandé’s album and tour schedule
- Sandé had publicly referred to Karemova as her “soul mate” after struggling with self-acceptance
- The relationship lasted over three years from going public to separation
