Jesse Williams was last photographed with wife Aryn Drake-Lee in January 2016. (Donato Sardella/Getty Images for The Mistake Room/Getty Images Entertainment)
Jesse Williams’ divorce from estranged wife Aryn Drake-Lee is no longer top-secret as the political activist has officially filed for joint physical custody of their two children.
In court documents, Williams claimed Drake-Lee does not allow him to have sufficient time with their 3-year-old daughter Sadie and 1-year-old son Maceo.
“Aryn restricts my time with the children and decides when, and for how long I may have them,” Williams claims in court filings obtained by E! News. “She has rejected, without any reason, each and every request I have made to have the children sleep over at my residence. On the few days that I have the children, Aryn has insisted that my time with the children be limited during the week to approximately two-and-a-half hours per day, despite my requests for more time, including overnights with the children.”
Drake-Lee’s lawyer fired back at Williams, who said he has “always been an active” dad, with a statement that slammed the “Grey’s Anatomy” star for placing a spotlight on their custody case.
“Protecting the privacy and well-being of their children is of paramount importance to Aryn Drake-Lee Williams,” the response, issued to E! News, read. “It is unfortunate that Mr. Williams has chosen to draw public attention to this difficult time and transition for their family. Aryn is solely interested in the best interests of their children, supporting a healthy relationship with both parents, and protecting the children’s privacy. Therefore, she will not comment any further on Mr. Williams’ unilateral and unfortunate public allegations.”
Despite the nature of the statement, a source tells the entertainment website “no fighting is involved whatsoever” and the couple is “staying as civil with each other as they can.”
Williams and Drake-Lee began their five-year courtship while the actor was still a New York schoolteacher and they wed in September 2012. Williams filed for divorce in April citing “irreconcilable differences.”