At a Glance
- Terrence O’Connor says his split from Benito Skinner “really knocked me on my ass”
- The couple ended their nine-year relationship in October
- O’Connor credits the breakup with expanding his capacity for empathy
- Why it matters: The candid interview offers rare insight into long-term queer relationships and personal growth after heartbreak
Three months after announcing their breakup, Terrence O’Connor is sharing the emotional impact of ending his nine-year relationship with comedian Benito Skinner.
During a recent appearance on The Cutting Room Floor podcast hosted by designer Recho Omondi, the creative director didn’t hold back about the devastation he felt. “I have been floored by my breakup,” he revealed. “It has really knocked me on my ass.”
How It All Began
O’Connor painted a vivid picture of their first meeting at a mutual friend’s party during the early stages of both men’s coming out journeys. The encounter was memorable, though not immediately romantic.
“We actually hadn’t spoken at all,” O’Connor recalled. Near the party’s end, Skinner made what O’Connor described as “this big gesture” saying it was nice hanging out, despite their lack of interaction. O’Connor admitted his first impression wasn’t flattering: “I thought he was, like, this straight douchebag.”
The next day changed everything. After discussing the interaction with friends, O’Connor followed Skinner on Instagram and became “fully obsessed” with the comedian. When a friend revealed Skinner was gay, O’Connor experienced what he called an “out of body experience.”
“It was, like, electric,” he said. “Now it’s tragic, but I was like, ‘I’m gonna marry him.'”
A Decade of Love and Collaboration
Their first date launched a relationship that would span nearly a decade. The couple became social media favorites, regularly sharing glimpses of their life together with followers.
Their partnership extended beyond romance into professional collaboration. O’Connor consulted on marketing for Skinner’s hit series Overcompensating, which premiered in May to positive reception.
Throughout their relationship, they became one of social media’s most beloved queer couples, with fans following their journey from young twenty-somethings navigating Hollywood to established professionals in their respective fields.
The Breakup Announcement
October 22 marked the end of their love story when Skinner revealed on his podcast RIDE that he and O’Connor had separated.
“Terry and I are no longer together,” Skinner shared with co-host Mary Beth Barone, emphasizing that the split was “amicable.”
The comedian spoke warmly of his ex, saying: “We both just love each other so much and have so much love and respect for each other, and we treated each other with love and respect until the end. I feel so unbelievably lucky to have met him and to be a part of his family.”
Finding Growth Through Pain
While the breakup devastated O’Connor, he’s found meaning in the pain. The experience has fundamentally changed how he relates to others going through heartbreak.
“I have such a greater capacity for empathy than I had before it,” O’Connor reflected on the podcast.
He admitted struggling to understand friends’ breakup experiences in the past. Now, he’s grateful for the painful lesson. “I’m, like, horrified – what if I went my whole life without knowing how this feels and ever be able to be there for my friends in the way that they were truly there for me,” he shared.
Life After Love
Both men have maintained respectful silence about the specifics of their split, focusing instead on the positive aspects of their nearly decade-long relationship. Their approach to the breakup has earned praise from fans who appreciate the mature handling of what could have been a messy public split.
O’Connor’s willingness to discuss the emotional toll publicly offers a rare glimpse into how even amicable breakups can devastate. His candid admission about being “floored” by the end of the relationship resonates with anyone who has experienced the end of a long-term partnership.
The creative director’s reflection on developing empathy through heartbreak speaks to the transformative potential of pain. His fear of having lived without understanding such loss underscores how deeply the experience affected him.
The Road Ahead
As both men navigate life post-breakup, they’ve maintained the dignity and respect that characterized their relationship. Neither has rushed into new relationships publicly, instead taking time to process the end of their nine-year journey together.
Their story serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly perfect relationships can end, and that growth often comes through our most painful experiences. O’Connor’s newfound empathy ensures that when friends face similar heartbreak, he’ll be better equipped to offer genuine support.
The entertainment industry and their combined social media following of millions continue to watch with interest as both men move forward separately, carrying with them nearly a decade of memories, growth, and the lasting impact of first love.
