Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry is fighting back in the ferocious custody battle against her ex-husband, French actor Olivier Martinez.
Berry, 60, and Martinez, 60, married in July 2013 and welcomed their son, Maceo, in October that year. However, they divorced two years later, citing irreconcilable differences.
Although their split appeared amicable at first, the two have been battling in court over custody for years. But Berry is not taking it lying down.
She and Martinez issued a joint statement that focused on their shared love and future co-parenting of Maceo.
The statement read, “We wish each other nothing but happiness in life, and we hope that you respect our and, most importantly, our children’s privacy as we go through this difficult period.”
However, the breakup eventually turned into a bitter legal conflict.
A final divorce agreement in 2023 stipulated that Berry and Martinez share joint legal and physical custody of Maceo.
The “Monster’s Ball” actress had to pay Martinez $8,000 per month in child support. She also had to fork over 4.3% of her income over $2 million. She also agreed to cover Maceo’s school tuition, extracurricular activities, health insurance, and additional expenses.
Fast forward to 2026, Martinez went back to court to request a temporary restraining order against Berry for himself and their son. He accused the Hollywood legend of physically assaulting Maceo on Sept. 26.
Martinez claimed she grabbed Maceo by the neck and choked him while shouting, “‘Who is dominant now?! Who is dominant?’”
Maceo allegedly called and texted his father in a panic, begging him to pick him up “right now.”
Page Six reports Martinez also claimed the alleged altercation led to Maceo having to “fight back” before escaping from Berry. Her fiancé, musician Van Hunt, then entered the room, according to the filings.
Berry allegedly texted Martinez the following morning, saying, “I feel terrible about what happened last night as I know he does as well.”
Martinez argued that the alleged abuse caused him “emotional and mental distress.” His lawyer, Patrick Baghdaserians, maintained that the Paris native’s concern is the “health, welfare, and safety” of his child.
Conversely, Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, pushed back on the narrative that her client mistreated Maceo. He called Martinez’s legal filing “meritless and deliberately misleading.”
“Fortunately, Halle is used to this kind of outrageous conduct from Mr. Martinez,” read a response Berry’s legal team shared with People.
“While she is deeply saddened, she will not allow it to deter her from fighting for Maceo’s best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs,” it continued.
The latest round in the custody quarrel over Maceo rocked the internet. Some social media users ran to her defense, blasting Martinez for calling Berry an abusive mother.
“I don’t believe she did that. She’s training her children the right way and he’s just waiting waiting because he wants a piece of the pie another Kevin Fred line,” said one person.
While said, “Good dad. Remove the child from the situation first!!!! Protect the child.”
Berry caught direct heat when another person speculated, “Wow…over the years when she went through her divorces and break ups she always talked about the abuse of the men in her life. This is a whole different side of the story. (I know it’s her son, but it shows maybe she has some abusive tendencies in her too). So sad for everyone, especially her son.”
A few people even wondered, “Has she been arrested?”
The actress was previously married to MLB star David Justice from 1993 to 1997 as well as R&B singer Eric Benét from 2001 to 2005. Her romance with Hunt, 56, began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to her romance with Hunt, Berry welcomed a daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, in March 2008 with Canadian model Gabriel Aubry. Their relationship also ended in a custody battle.
News of Martinez now blaming Berry for supposedly traumatizing their pre-teen son actually earned sympathy from some of the 1986 Miss Ohio USA’s loyal devotees.
“Having a baby with that man was the [worst] thing she could’ve done; he doesn’t refuse an opportunity to try and defame her,” one Berry fan tweeted.
A second supporter of the Primetime Emmy Award winner blasted Martinez by writing, “He been terrorizing Halle since they ended… [we’re] not buying it. Period.”
“Regardless of who is right or wrong, having private custody battles played out across social media is tragic for the child. Maceo’s safety and privacy should come first,” read an impartial post.
Martinez’s temporary restraining order will remain in effect until a hearing set for Oct. 16. He is also seeking sole custody of 12-year-old Maceo, which would amend his present divorce arrangement with Berry.
