Who Was Mark Hoppus' Best Man?

Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus were the two original founders of Blink-182 in 1992. DeLonge left the band in 2015, and the pair experienced a strained relationship for a few years. However, they rekindled their friendship in 2021 when DeLonge reached out to Hoppus to sign a divorce-related document and learned that Hoppus had been diagnosed with cancer. DeLonge supported Hoppus throughout his battle with cancer, and the two now speak multiple times a day.

Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge's friendship

Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge were the two original founders of Blink-182 in 1992. DeLonge left the band in 2005 when the group went on an indefinite hiatus, and again in 2015, after a brief reunion. DeLonge went on to form Angels & Airwaves, while Hoppus and the rest of Blink-182 replaced him with Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba.

Despite the band's splits, Hoppus and DeLonge have maintained a friendship. In 2021, DeLonge supported Hoppus after he was diagnosed with stage four diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the same type of cancer his mother had. DeLonge shared a text exchange with Hoppus during a Twitch stream, in which he offered his former bandmate advice and encouragement. The two have since rekindled their friendship, with DeLonge stating that they talk "multiple times a day" and have been able to "completely repair" their friendship.

Hoppus has also reflected fondly on the band's early days with DeLonge, stating that Blink-182 did its "best work" when he was in the band and that there was a "real unity of spirit". In 2024, Hoppus revealed that he was cancer-free and that his friendship with DeLonge was a "panacea" during his treatments. He also shared that he was "open to whatever the next phase of Blink is", sparking whispers of a possible reunion of the band's most successful lineup.

Tom DeLonge's support for Mark Hoppus during his cancer battle

Tom DeLonge showed his support for his former Blink-182 bandmate Mark Hoppus after he revealed he was battling cancer. DeLonge took to Twitter to share words of encouragement for the bassist, stating that he had known about the diagnosis for a while. He praised Hoppus for his strength and positive attitude, using the hashtag #WeHaveHisBack. DeLonge's message was part of a wider outpouring of support from the music community, with other musicians also reaching out to offer their well wishes.

Hoppus, the singer-bassist of Blink-182, shared the news of his cancer diagnosis and treatment in June 2021. He underwent chemotherapy and expressed his fear and gratitude for the support of doctors, family, and friends. Despite the challenges, Hoppus remained hopeful and positive, looking forward to a cancer-free future.

DeLonge's support for Hoppus during this difficult time is a testament to their friendship and the unity within the music community. DeLonge's words of encouragement and admiration for Hoppus's strength and resilience served as a source of comfort and motivation during his battle with cancer.

In September 2021, Hoppus announced that he was cancer-free, marking a significant milestone in his recovery. This news brought relief and joy to his fans, friends, and family, including DeLonge, who had been aware of his diagnosis and supported him throughout the challenging journey.

The experience of facing a life-threatening illness and the support received during that time can strengthen bonds and bring people closer together. It is heartwarming to see how DeLonge and Hoppus' friendship endured despite their previous estrangement, and how they were able to reconnect and support each other when it mattered most.

Tom DeLonge's divorce

Tom DeLonge and his high school sweetheart, Jennifer Jenkins, divorced in 2019 after 18 years of marriage and two years of separation. The former couple, who share two children, cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split and continue to co-parent their kids. DeLonge has since remarried; he tied the knot with his second wife, Marie DeLonge, in a private ceremony in May 2021.

DeLonge's divorce may have played a role in his decision to sell the rights to his old songs in 2020. It is speculated that he wanted to avoid splitting royalties with his ex-wife and opted for a single payout instead. The sale also allowed him to distance himself from memories of his former life with Jenkins.

DeLonge's current wife, Marie, is four years younger than him and already had two children from a previous relationship when they met. DeLonge has praised her for her support of his creative endeavours and for making him feel "like Superman". The couple had a low-key courthouse wedding and generally keep their relationship out of the spotlight.

Mark Hoppus' reflections on Blink-182's best work

Blink-182's Mark Hoppus has reflected fondly on the band's work during the time that Tom DeLonge was still a member. DeLonge parted ways with Blink-182 in 2015, going on to find success with Angels & Airwaves. In a 2024 interview with Vogue, Hoppus admitted:

> There was a real unity of spirit in the band; [it’s] when the band found itself. When Tom was in the band, that’s when blink did its best work… Now post-Tom, with Matt [Skiba] in the band, we’re approaching songs differently.

Hoppus also spoke about the pair's relationship after the split, saying:

> I talked with Tom for the first time in two years right before we started this tour… The conversation was more about us just telling each other, 'No hard feelings. You do your thing, we’ll do our thing.' It’s all good.

DeLonge has since claimed that a reunion with his former bandmates could be on the cards, to which Hoppus responded that there was "no talk of that right now".

Outside of Blink-182, Hoppus has also written and produced for artists including Avril Lavigne, All Time Low, New Found Glory, Goldfinger, and The Matches. He has also appeared on screen in productions such as the 1999 comedy *American Pie*, the 2011 documentary *The Other F Word*, and as a panelist on the British music game show *Never Mind the Buzzcocks* in 2012.

The possibility of a Blink-182 reunion

Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, the founding members of Blink-182, have had a rocky relationship since DeLonge left the band in 2015. However, in recent years, the two have rekindled their friendship, sparking speculation about a possible Blink-182 reunion.

The Fall Out

Tom DeLonge parted ways with Blink-182 in 2015 and went on to find success with Angels & Airwaves. Since his departure, Blink-182 released two albums with Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba replacing DeLonge. Mark Hoppus, the bassist and singer of Blink-182, reflected on the band's success with DeLonge, acknowledging that they did their "best work" when he was still a member. He noted that there was a "real unity of spirit" in the band during that time. Despite this, Hoppus also stated that there was "no talk" of a reunion at the time and that it was a "completely unfounded rumour".

Rekindling Friendship

In 2021, Mark Hoppus revealed that he was battling stage four diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the same type of cancer his mother had. This news brought him back into close contact with his former bandmate, Tom DeLonge, who offered support and shared that he was glad to be there for his friend. DeLonge even shared a text exchange with Hoppus during a Twitch stream, offering him "some modest advice" on what to do following his cancer treatments. The two have since repaired their friendship and are now in touch multiple times a day. DeLonge shared that they have been able to "cut to the depth of who we are as people", indicating a strong and open line of communication.

The Future of Blink-182

With their rekindled friendship and whispers of a possible reunion, fans are eagerly anticipating the next phase of Blink-182. Mark Hoppus has stated that he is "open to whatever" the future holds for the band. He continues to write music and has launched a new record company, Verswire. While there has been no official announcement of a reunion, Hoppus' positive outlook and desire to keep creating leave the possibility open for a Blink-182 comeback.

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