Brian Austin Green wasn’t going to give this allegation any air.
Five years after he and Megan Fox—who started dating when she was 18 and he was 31—split in 2020, the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum shared why he chose to leave the rumors that he “groomed” her unaddressed, despite his now-fiancée Sharna Burgessseeing headlines about it as they began dating.
“I really logically understood that if I defend myself this one time, it’s never gonna stop,” Brian explained on the Oldish podcast May 5. “I’m gonna have to defend myself for who knows how long because people are gonna believe what they want to believe.”
While Sharna—mom to their 2-year-old son Zane—admitted she had personally asked Brian to publicly address the allegations, he was convinced that “time is the only thing that regulates that.”
The 51-year-old—who shares kids Noah, 12, Bodhi, 11, and Journey, 8 with Megan—noticed that people around him know online rumors couldn’t be further from the truth.
“People spend more time seeing me not being that way,” he reflected. “And they start questioning things and are like, ‘We’ve seen him for five years and we’ve never once seen him be controlling or hearing any other story from anyone else about it.’”
As he put it, “To me, it’s like the long game of it all.”
E! News has reached out to reps for Megan but has not heard back.
His breakup with Megan—who welcomed a baby with ex Machine Gun Kelly in March—is not the only time he’s invoked that method either. Brian also remembered remaining quiet about his 2003 breakup from ex Vanessa Marcil, with whom he shares 21-year-old son Kassius.
“I felt the same way with Vanessa,” he noted thinking, “I’m just gonna sit back and shut the f–k up.”
Still, Brian admitted that marriage and starting a family at such a young age had to be “overwhelming” for Megan, now 38. After all, he recalled her telling him she had “missed out” on parts of life when she asked for a divorce.
“I think when she realized that, she wanted out quickly, which is then what made it hard for me,” Brian added. “I understood it, but it didn’t make it any less hard. I get it, I understand—it feels like s–t. It killed me, it was out of nowhere.”
Indeed, Brian and Megan’s relationship lasted 15 years before their 2021 divorce. Keep reading to look back at every moment between the pair…
Love at First Sight
The dashing pair met on the set of Hope & Faith in 2004.
“I didn’t know who he was from 90210, but I liked him right away,” Fox told The New York Times Magazine in 2009. “Everyone was around the monitor watching a scene, and Brian accidentally touched my leg. I remember literal electricity shooting through me and out me from every direction. It was like magic.”
Art Imitates Life
Green (not pictured) makes a cameo appearance in Fox’s 2008 film How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
It’s Over…Or Is It?
Fox and Green reportedly got engaged in 2006. Then, in February 2009, rumors swirled that the pair had called off their wedding plans.
Let’s Stay Together
Although, Fox and Green were spotted looking very much in love shortly after the breakup rumors.
Off Again
In June 2009, Fox confirmed her relationship status by explaining to The Sun, “I’m what you’d call single.”
Put a Ring On It
The split didn’t last for long. In June 2010, Green again proposed to Fox while the pair vacationed in Hawaii.
Mr. & Mrs.
Just weeks after Green popped the question, the two tied the knot in a private ceremony at the Four Seasons Hawaii.
Happily Ever After
Just a few months after walking down the aisle, the newlyweds traveled to the Magic Kingdom in Florida for a romantic vacation.
Ghosts of Boyfriends Past
In a 2011 interview with Details, Fox’s Transformers co-star Shia LaBeouf hinted the two had a connection while filming their blockbuster flick.
“Look, you’re on the set for six months, with someone who’s rooting to be attracted to you, and you’re rooting to be attracted to them,” he told the magazine after being asked if he and Fox hooked up. “I never understood the separation of work and life in that situation. But the time I spent with Megan was our own thing, and I think you can see the chemistry onscreen.”
Wedded Bliss
Despite LaBeouf’s revelations, the couple seemed as strong as ever. They showed up hand-in-hand at an L.A. Lakers basketball game in December 2011, and even talked of renewing their vows.
And Then Comes a Baby
In 2012, E! News exclusively confirmed the actress’ pregnancy. Green and Fox welcomed their first child together, a son named Noah Shannon Green, later that year.
More Babies
In 2014, Fox and Green added another baby boy to the family, Bodhi. The couple were known to be very private and rarely ever shared any photos of their sons, but during an appearance on Ellen, the public got a glimpse of both Noah and Bodhi.
A Shocking Split
In 2015, Fox filed for divorce from Green. She cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.
Baby No. 3
In 2016, E! News learned that Fox was expecting her third child. She and Green welcomed a son, Journey River Green, later that year. A source told E! News the two stars weren’t getting a divorce “anytime soon.”
Family Drama
In 2018, Vanessa Marcil published accusations against her ex Green regarding their son, Kassius. Marcil claimed Fox and Green “completely cut Kass out of their lives.” Green and Fox did not publicly comment on Marcil’s claims.
Back Together
Fox officially filed to dismiss the divorce proceedings in 2019, and the couple made their first joint red carpet appearance in five years.
Going Their Separate Ways
Green sparked split speculation after he was spotted without his wedding ring in April 2020. A source also told E! News the two are living separately. Then, in May, Fox was spotted hanging out with Machine Gun Kelly. Green confirmed he and Fox are “trying to sort of be apart.” He also said Fox and the rapper are friends.
