Thomas Rhett goes candid about how his marriage to Lauren Akins almost ended for an unexpected reason

Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren Akins, have often been celebrated as the picture-perfect couple in the public eye. However, the country star recently opened up about a tumultuous period in their relationship that nearly led to it “imploding.” In an honest conversation with Us Weekly, Rhett shared how their rise to fame coincided with some of the most challenging moments in their personal lives.

During this time, Rhett and Lauren were navigating the complex process of adopting their daughter, Willa Gray, from Uganda, all while Lauren was pregnant. “We were becoming famous at arguably the hardest moment in our personal lives,” Rhett explained.

The couple faced the daunting task of fostering Willa Gray for a year in Uganda, which required Rhett to travel back and forth frequently for his music career. This juggling act took a toll on both of them.

“I’d go to Uganda and be husband and dad, and then go to America and be like, ‘OK, shows and music.’ I was internally imploding, and so was Lauren. We’d both come to these breaking points [feeling like] something has to give. It was not a fun time in our marriage,” he admitted, revealing the immense pressure they faced during this period.

Rhett shares how fame and adoption strained his marriage

The emotional strain was palpable between both celebrities, and both Rhett and Lauren struggled with the uncertainty surrounding the adoption process. “I’m not going to lie, there were many nights where I was like, ‘I don’t know if this paper is ever going to get signed or if we’re going to hammer down that meeting we need to have.’ Prayer got us through,” Rhett said, highlighting the role of faith in their journey.

Despite the challenges Rhett emphasized that giving up was never an option for them. “That thought has never crossed my mind or Lauren’s,” he stated. With his natural inclination to “fix” problems and Lauren’s incredible patience, they were determined to navigate through the storm together.

Their commitment to each other ultimately prevailed, and the couple emerged from this difficult chapter with a stronger bond. Rhett and Lauren, who have known each other since childhood, have shown that love can endure even the toughest challenges.