Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta: Why Their Divorce Actually Worked

Everyone thought they knew the ending to this story. When Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta announced their split in 2022, the internet did what it does best: it speculated. People pointed to Wong’s third Netflix special, Don Wong, where she joked about the "prison" of monogamy and wanting to "cheat on her husband." They assumed the jokes were the cause. They assumed the $70,000 in student debt she famously paid off for him in Baby Cobra was a lingering resentment.

They were wrong.

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Actually, the reality of Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta is far weirder and more wholesome than a tabloid scandal. They didn't just "stay friends." They became a blueprint for how to dismantle a marriage without burning the house down. As of early 2026, their "unconventional divorce" has survived the finalization of legal paperwork and the public dating lives of both parties, proving that a family doesn't have to look traditional to remain intact.

The Prenup That Changed Everything

In her 2018 special Hard Knock Wife, Wong famously joked that Hakuta’s family made her sign a prenuptial agreement before they wed in 2014. At the time, Hakuta—a Harvard Business School grad and Fulbright scholar—was the "stable" one.

"I was very much incentivized to make my own money because of this document," Wong said.

It worked. By the time they separated on April 10, 2022, Wong wasn't just a comedian; she was an Emmy-winning powerhouse. The irony wasn't lost on her. The prenup designed to protect Hakuta’s assets ended up being a shield for the massive fortune she built herself. When they finally settled their divorce in May 2024, there were no messy public battles over bank accounts. Because Wong represented herself in the final proceedings, the details remained largely private, but the message was clear: they were good.

Why They Are Still "Best Friends"

You don't usually see exes playing pickleball together in San Francisco a week after a "breakup bomb" drops. Yet, that’s exactly what happened.

Wong has been vocal about the fact that Hakuta is still her "best friend." It's a term people throw around to save face, but she seems to mean it. During her 2024 Golden Globes acceptance speech for Beef, she thanked him directly. "I really need to thank the father of my children and my best friend, Justin, for all of your love and support," she told the world. "It’s because of you that I’m able to be a working mother."

This wasn't just fluff. Hakuta has continued to serve as her tour manager. He travels with her and their two daughters, Mari (born 2015) and Nikki (born 2017). They share joint legal and physical custody, but it looks less like a schedule and more like a permanent collaboration.

The Bill Hader Chapter and the 2026 Split

For a while, the narrative shifted to Wong’s relationship with Barry star Bill Hader. They went public in April 2023, and Hader was frequently seen by her side during her historic awards sweep.

However, by January 2026, sources confirmed that Wong and Hader had split after roughly two years of dating. The reason? The usual Hollywood culprit: "busy schedules." Wong’s massive stand-up tours and Hader’s directing projects made the logistics impossible.

Through all of this—the new romance, the high-profile awards, and the eventual breakup with Hader—Justin Hakuta remained the steady constant in the background. It highlights a rare dynamic in Hollywood: the "primary" partnership in Wong's life isn't necessarily a romantic one. It’s the co-parenting unit she built with Hakuta.

What Most People Get Wrong About Their Breakup

The biggest misconception is that the divorce was a failure. Wong herself refutes this. In her 2024 interview with InStyle, she described the end of her marriage as a "beautiful beginning to many new adventures."

She treats divorce like a "snowflake"—no two are exactly alike.

• It wasn't about the jokes: While the public linked her stage material to her real-life problems, Wong has always maintained that her comedy is an exaggerated persona.
• The "Trap" reversed: The fan-favorite narrative that she "trapped" a Harvard man only to realize she was the breadwinner became a point of pride, not a point of contention.
• The Mother Factor: Wong’s mother, Tammy Wong, was initially devastated by the split. Wong had to navigate the cultural weight of a "failed" marriage in the eyes of her 84-year-old mother while staying true to her own needs.

Actionable Insights from the Wong-Hakuta Model

If there is anything to learn from Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta, it's that the "cord-cutting" style of divorce isn't mandatory.

1. Prioritize the Village: Wong credits her ability to tour with her kids to the fact that Hakuta and her mother are part of her travel team. If you can keep the peace, the logistics of parenting become 50% easier.
2. Financial Independence Matters: The prenup that originally "scared" Wong became the catalyst for her career. Whether you are married or not, maintaining a separate financial identity provides a safety net that prevents resentment during a split.
3. Redefine "Family": A family of four doesn't stop being a family because the parents stop sleeping in the same room. By keeping Hakuta as her tour manager and "best friend," Wong ensured her daughters' lives remained stable even as the household structure shifted.

The story of Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta isn't a tragedy. It's a comedy of errors that turned into a masterclass in emotional intelligence. They managed to do the one thing most people find impossible: they stayed on the same team.