Halle Berry denies ex Olivier Martinez's claim she abused their son, says she is a domestic violence victim
Actress Halle Berry has denied ex-husband Olivier Martinez's claim she was physically abusive toward their then-12-year-old son, and submitted court documents saying she is a domestic violence victim.
In a declaration she filed on Monday, Oct. 5, Berry wrote, "I have never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo. I am a victim of domestic violence, and I help victims of domestic violence."
"I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child," she added.
The actress also submitted video evidence to disprove Martinez's second-hand account of the alleged abuse incident. Martinez earlier claimed that Berry "physically abused our son Maceo by jumping on him, putting her hands around his neck, and choking him" during a Sept. 26 incident, adding there were "other instances of abuse" in recent years.
According to Martinez, Berry got upset with Maceo while he was playing a virtual reality game. Martinez said she put Maceo in a headlock, choking him.
Per Berry's declaration, she entered her son's room to tell him it was time to stop gaming. As Maceo continued to play, Berry recorded him. When he noticed her filming, he grabbed her phone and began "playfully roughhousing," which, said Berry, they "frequently do."
She said she never put her hands around Maceo's neck, impeded his breathing, or told him to tap out. But she admitted the situation escalated when her son "unexpectedly" became upset and pushed her, prompting Berry's fiancé Van Hunt to mediate.
According to Berry, she tried to take Maceo's headset from him but he pushed her again. As Hunt stood between them, Maceo said he would call his father and leave the house.
Along with the video, Berry also cited text messages between herself and Martinez. She said the messages "reflect my distress after Maceo became physically aggressive toward me, not any physical conduct by me toward Maceo."
"I told Olivier that I felt 'terrible about what happened,' which was true," Berry added. She further said she then allowed Maceo to spend the rest of the weekend with his dad, though she also texted Martinez, "pleading" with him to set boundaries with their son.
Berry also said Martinez didn't accuse her of abuse when they met with Maceo's school on Sept. 30. And during the modified visitation the following week to celebrate Maceo's 13th birthday, Berry said Martinez seemed "at ease."
The actress further argued against Martinez getting primary custody of their son, saying the actor does not adhere to "child-centered guidance." She also claimed Maceo's school had previously contacted her about Martinez's behavior.
Maceo, whom Berry said is neurodivergent, needs professional help and, per his mother, is sometimes "angry and combative" when he returns from a stay at his father's. Berry and Martinez have previously disagreed over interventions for their son.
Martinez also filed for sole custody. On Oct. 1, he was granted a temporary restraining order against Berry, modifying their original 50/50 custody agreement, which began in August 2023, when their divorce was finalized.
Berry and Martinez married in July 2013 before separating on Oct. 2015. Their divorce was finalized on August 2023. Their marriage only bore Maceo.
Berry also has an 18-year-old daughter, Nahla, with her ex-boyfriend model Gabriel Aubry. The actress confirmed her engagement to musician Van Hunt in February 2026.
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