‘X-Men’ Star Halle Berry Responds to Olivier Martinez’s Allegations of Abuse
Custody disputes between high-profile exes rarely remain private, and the ongoing legal battle between Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez has been in the spotlight for years. The former couple met while filming ‘Dark Tide’ in 2010, welcomed their son Maceo in October 2013, and separated in October 2015 after two years of marriage.
Their disagreements regarding Maceo’s upbringing have led to a series of court filings. Berry has previously requested the court to mandate co-parenting therapy for Martinez and has sought sole legal custody, with both parties accusing each other of not cooperating in a child-focused manner.
Recently, the situation escalated significantly. Berry, 60, is now addressing allegations from Martinez, also 60, that she physically harmed their son. In her filing, she identifies herself as a victim of domestic violence and an advocate who would never harm a child.
Martinez submitted a request to the Los Angeles Superior Court on October 1, which resulted in a temporary restraining order against Berry. He claims that during an incident at Berry’s home on September 26, she jumped on Maceo, placed her hands around his neck, and choked him. He is pursuing sole legal and physical custody.
The restraining order mandates that Berry maintain a distance of 100 yards from Martinez and limits her contact with Maceo to court-ordered visitation, which currently allows her to see him two days a week and every other weekend. Berry’s attorney has dismissed the allegations as meritless and misleading, highlighting what she describes as Martinez’s history of violating court orders.
In her own response, Berry provides a starkly different narrative. According to TMZ, which obtained the documents, she firmly states, “I would never hurt our child.” She denies ever putting her hands around Maceo’s neck, choking him, or restricting his breathing.
Berry explains that the incident began when she entered her son’s room to ask him to stop playing a virtual reality game, leading to playful roughhousing that escalated. She also refutes the claim that she yelled a phrase attributed to her by Martinez, stating that she texted him afterward, urging him to enforce appropriate boundaries. Her filing notes that Maceo returned to Martinez’s home without any marks on his body or neck.
She describes herself as a victim of domestic violence and an advocate against abuse, though she does not specify who the perpetrator is and has not accused Martinez of domestic violence. Berry’s other child, Nahla Aubry, has also provided a declaration stating she never heard her mother make the racially charged comments alleged by Martinez.
The legal proceedings have progressed swiftly. On Monday, the judge modified the temporary restraining order to clarify that Berry retains final authority over Maceo’s mental health and educational decisions, reflecting an agreement the couple reached in 2024. This provision will remain in effect until a hearing scheduled for October 16.
Berry is also requesting the court to reinstate the 50-50 custody arrangement established in 2023 when their divorce was finalized. She aims to regain her tie-breaking authority and to require Martinez to participate in court-ordered therapy sessions. In her filing, she accuses him of attempting to align Maceo with him against her and cites his refusal to accept her relationship with her boyfriend, Van Hunt.
Martinez has countered by asking the court to deny Berry’s request, claiming that the restraining order is in effect and alleging a risk of immediate danger to their son. Maceo celebrated his 13th birthday on Monday, marking a significant milestone amid the ongoing dispute.
It is crucial to note that neither party’s allegations have been proven as fact. The upcoming hearing on October 16 will be a pivotal moment in a case that continues to grow more complex.
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