Sofia Vergara Addresses Divorce From Joe Manganiello, Says Press Coverage Was 'Respectful'

Sofia Vergara opened up about her divorce from Joe Manganiello in an interview, acknowledging the anticipated media scrutiny. She noted that she was grateful for the press coverage of their split, calling it "respectful."

The actress, moving forward, expressed excitement for upcoming projects, including the Netflix series "Griselda" and her skincare brand Toty.

In a CBS Sunday Morning interview, Sofia Vergara discussed her experience with the public aftermath of divorcing Joe Manganiello.

Being a celebrity, Vergara shared that she anticipated the media frenzy surrounding their June 2023 split. She acknowledged that public scrutiny comes with the territory, stating, "You're out there [in the public eye], and people know that's part of being a celebrity. I knew it was gonna happen. You can't hide those things."

Reflecting on how she managed the public attention, the "America's Got Talent" judge expressed gratitude for the respectful and considerate media coverage.

She admitted, "It wasn't bad. I think, you know, I have to say the press was very respectful and very nice. And I thought that they were gonna invent more things, and you know how it usually is."

"I was surprised and, you know, they, they kind of just said what it was and, and that was it," the actress added, per People Magazine.

Vergara and ex-husband Manganiello first met at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in 2014 and were introduced by actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. However, at the time, the "Modern Family" star was engaged to Nick Loeb but announced her breakup a few weeks later. Her public split from Loeb prompted Manganiello, eager to seek Vergara's number from Ferguson.

After dating for a few months, Manganiello popped the question on December 24, 2014, during a Christmas vacation at the St. Regis Hotel in Hawaii. On November 22, 2015, the lovebirds tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

In July 2023, after almost eight years of marriage, Vergara and Manganiello released a joint statement revealing their "difficult decision" to divorce.

The statement read: "As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect for our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives."

Two days later, the "Magic Mike" actor filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences" with a separation date of July 2.

At the time, sources disclosed to People that the couple had been growing apart and tried to resolve things, but they were focused on different areas of their lives.

"They definitely love and respect each other, but once that initial passion dies down and other areas get in the way, then little differences get bigger," the insider added.

Having navigated the challenging period of her divorce, Vergara shared that she has shifted her focus toward embracing the present and future. "And, you know, I've been moving on," she said.

The "Hot Pursuit" actress shared her excitement for upcoming ventures, including the Netflix limited series "Griselda" and the success of her skincare brand, Toty, known for its high-quality products.

"I'm excited for the TV show that is coming," Vergara stated. "I'm excited for [skincare brand] Toty which has been doing really well since we started and people are loving it because it's such a good quality product."

Looking forward, Vergara hinted at numerous projects lined up for the next year, adding, "I have a lot of projects for next year that hopefully people will love as well."

Since their split, Manganiello and Vergara have moved on to other relationships. The actress was seen with Justin Saliman, an orthopedic surgeon, in October last year at Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills.

The couple seem serious with each other as they have been spotted together enjoying dates in multiple locations.

A source told People of their budding romance, "She is enjoying life. She seems positive and full of energy. Sofia has been handling the divorce well. It wasn't an easy decision, but she is doing great now."

Manganiello, on the other hand, is in a relationship with actress Caitlin O'Connor. The happy couple first debuted their romance on the red carpet of the 20th annual Children of Armenian Fund (COAF) Holiday Gala held in New York City.