Joe Manganiello believes Sofía Vergara's ex 'cursed' him as new claims about their split emerge
Joe Manganiello has opened up about a shaman telling him that one of Sofía Vergara's exes had caused serious health issues via a 'curse' during their marriage.
In his 2026 memoir, Bloodlines, which was officially released in the US on Tuesday (13 October), the 49-year-old Magic Mike actor shared a very bizarre detail involving a phone call from a shaman who suggested that an ex-partner of Vergara’s had placed a voodoo 'curse' on him from New Orleans out of lingering feelings for her.
In the book, Manganiello recounted that the shaman somehow knew intimate details about his severe, mysterious autoimmune illness and his intestinal struggles before they were made public.
When looking for some kind of answer about his illness, Manganiello shared an anecdote about the particularly eyebrow-raising theory.
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The shaman in question also said that Manganiello was 'sick', pointing out that 'something is wrong with his intestines'.
"There were members of my close family who didn't know any of that, let alone some random guy on the phone. I side-eyed Sofía with a look that was equal parts fear, anger and disbelief," Manganiello wrote via Entertainment Weekly.
According to Manganiello, the shaman then told Vergara: "Someone from your past is still in love with you. He put a voodoo curse on your husband. He did it in New Orleans. Your husband needs to be cleansed and protected.
"I can do this. I can help him. But I need to see him for two days, and I cannot come to the United States. Can he meet me somewhere else? I could meet him in Ecuador.'"
The actor recalled looking at Vergara, 54, and 'trying to comprehend how... this guy could possibly know any of this'.
He continued: "None of this had been mentioned in the press. No one knew."
Manganiello and Vergara tied the knot back in 2015 before eventually separating in July 2023 and finalising their divorce in April 2024 after differing views on having children and the severe strain of Manganiello's private health struggles.
Manganiello has denied putting pressure on Vergara to have kids and denies this is the reason they broke up.
Elsewhere in Bloodlines, he accused Vergara of becoming 'devoid of all emotionality' during his health struggles, refusing to hug him, and mocking the pet chihuahua he adopted.
Vergara appeared to respond to the claims, sharing an Instagram post from her son to her Story about how 'narcissistic men' will 'always somehow try to paint you as the bad guy'.
Manganiello was then asked about the post by Gayle King on CBS Mornings this Monday (12 October). He said: "I think anybody who said that should read the book first and understand what the book is actually about because it’s not about that. It’s about the suffering I went through.”
Manganiello announced his engagement to actress and TV host Caitlin O'Connor, 37, in October 2025.
Meanwhile, Vergara is dating 39-year-old luxury jewellery executive and businessman Douglas Chabbott.
The Modern Family star, who is one of the highest-paid actresses in the United States, publicly confirmed their relationship on Instagram in December 2025.
Tyla has reached out to Sofía Vergara's representatives for comment.
Topics: Sofia Vergara, Celebrity, Sex and Relationships
Rhiannon Ingle