Halle Berry's Daughter Nahla, 18, Defends Mom Against Abuse Claims
Halle Berry's 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, is speaking out in defense of her mother after the actress was accused of child abuse by her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez.
In a declaration filed October 3 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Nahla described Berry as a "loving and devoted parent" and said she had never seen her mother physically harm her younger brother.
What Nahla Said
"I never observed anything abusive about her parenting," Nahla wrote, according to Just Jared. She acknowledged that Berry can be strict but said she is a caring mother.
"I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse [him] in any way," she said, referring to her half-brother. She added that she had seen the two wrestle playfully and that he never seemed hurt afterward.
Nahla said she spoke with her mother and brother by phone two days after the alleged incident and that he "didn't seem upset about anything." She also said Berry has never spoken badly about Martinez or about Nahla's own father, model Gabriel Aubry, and has encouraged the children's relationships with both men.
The teen did not hold back in her criticism of Martinez. She said she feels like "an afterthought" for him "in his quest to destroy my mom." She also alleged that Martinez once beat up her father in their driveway when she was young. It was not immediately clear whether Martinez had responded to her declaration.
Nahla said she has not spoken with her brother since the allegations were filed because she is unsure what is legally allowed, and that she is heartbroken for him.
The Allegations Against Berry
Martinez was recently granted a temporary restraining order against Berry after claiming she physically abused their son during an argument in late September, including allegedly putting him in a chokehold. He has asked for sole custody.
Martinez also alleged that Berry had made racially charged comments toward their son in the past. Nahla said she had never heard her mother say anything like that, noting that she, her mother and her brother are all biracial, Hello! Magazine reported.
Berry has denied the allegations. The judge allowed contact between mother and son to continue while the case moves forward.
Berry's Legal Team Fights Back
Berry's attorney, Marina Beck, called Martinez's filing "entirely meritless and deliberately misleading." Beck said Martinez has repeatedly violated court orders and has previously been sanctioned for misconduct. Those claims come from Berry's side and have not been independently verified.
Berry is "deeply saddened" but will continue fighting for her son's best interests, Beck said.
The actress has filed a response asking the court to restore the couple's 50/50 custody arrangement. For now, she has court-ordered visitation two days a week and every other weekend, ahead of a hearing set for October 16, according to The Nightly.
A Long Custody History
Berry and Martinez married in 2013 and split in 2015. They did not finalize their divorce until August 2023, after a lengthy custody fight.
Berry also went through a high-profile custody battle with Aubry, Nahla's father, years earlier. Nahla turned 18 in March and is now an adult, which allowed her to file her own statement with the court. She has largely stayed out of the public eye, making her decision to speak out especially notable.
The October 16 hearing could determine whether the current custody arrangement stays in place or whether Berry regains equal time with her son.
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