Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton Were "Living Separate Lives" Before the Split: New Divorce Details Emerge

"They both put work before their relationship," an insider says

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton's divorce may have blindsided fans, but those who knew the singers could see it coming from a mile away. "Miranda and Blake have known this divorce been coming for some time now," an insider tells E! News exclusively. "They had not been together for a while and were living separate lives. They were just trying to find the right time to break the news to the public."

The country music superstars, who wed in 2011, announced their split Monday.

"This is not the future we envisioned," the exes said in the statement. "And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter."

According to the insider, once-wed Lambert, 31, and twice-wed Shelton, 39, had "been having issues on both sides for years now, but in the past few months it had come to a head. Blake and Miranda just grew apart and really started not seeing eye-to-eye on some real life future plans with each other."

Because their "crazy schedules" took them all over the world, the insider explains, distance "played a huge part" in their decision to break up. "They both put work before their relationship," the insider says.

The exes realized they are "different people," the insider tells E! News. "Their family and friends feel this decision is the best for them...They both hope in the future they can remain friends, but for now, they both know that after this divorce they need space and time to just be alone and not in [touch] for a bit."

Pre-split, the musicians were plagued by rumors of infidelity (most often on Shelton's behalf). Post-split, Lambert was accused of hooking up with singer Chris Young. Neither ex has commented on the alleged affair since announcing their decision to divorce, but Young denied any such thing in an Instagram post Tuesday. "I don't normally address gossip but in this case I will," the "Aw Naw" singer wrote. "My name has been mentioned as a contributing factor in Blake and Miranda's divorce. That is totally FALSE. They are both my friends and I would not betray that friendship. Just wanted to clear that up. Love you guys. - CY."