7 Black Celebrity Divorces That Were Really Messy

Love is never easy, but when you’re a celebrity, every breakup feels like the world is watching…and judging.

Over the years, we’ve seen some Black celebrity couples start off like a fairytale, only to end with courtroom drama, social media shade, and everyone scrambling for the real story.

Here’s a look at some of the most unforgettable, messy Black celebrity divorces and the stories behind them.

1. Porsha Williams & Simon Guobadia: Deportations, Lawsuits & Social Media Drama

When Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams married businessman Simon Guobadia, their romance was the talk of Atlanta.

But just 15 months in, the fairytale crumbled. The couple’s split became a headline spectacle after Simon was deported from the U.S., and he hit Porsha with a $75,000 lawsuit for defamation, claiming she went public about his “embarrassing” bedroom secrets.

Simon accused Porsha of defamation and emotional distress, saying she made false claims about his health and finances. Porsha, meanwhile, called Simon “toxic” and “controlling,” saying, “I gave everything to this marriage, but sometimes, loving yourself means walking away.”

The mess only escalated when Simon started joining divorce proceedings via Zoom from Nigeria.

2. Teyana Taylor & Iman Shumpert: From Relationship Goals to Courtroom Fights

Fans once saw singer Teyana Taylor and NBA star Iman Shumpert as the definition of #BlackLove. But their marriage quietly imploded in early 2023. Teyana filed for divorce, citing “cruel treatment”, from emotional abuse to jealousy, cheating allegations, and Iman’s run-ins with the law.

Teyana finally broke her silence:

“Sometimes, you love someone enough to let them go. I won’t bad-mouth Iman, but I have to protect my peace and my kids.”
Iman kept it short, posting, “Family will always be family. Wish you peace, T.” Still, the couple’s drama leaked, including Teyana accusing Iman of draining $4 million from their joint account.

3. Cardi B & Offset: Cheating Rumors, Instagram Unfollows & One Final Breakup

Cardi B and Offset’s on-and-off romance had as many twists as a reality show. The couple split for good in mid-2024, right as Cardi announced her third pregnancy, and as rumors swirled about Offset’s latest cheating scandal.

Cardi didn’t hold back:

“This time, I’m choosing me. My kids deserve to see their mom happy and respected.”
Offset? He kept his thoughts to himself but quietly unfollowed Cardi on Instagram. Cardi also claimed Offset hadn’t seen their youngest since March, fueling speculation about just how bad things got behind the scenes.

4. Remy Ma & Papoose: ‘Black Love’ Unravels

If anyone embodied “ride or die,” it was Remy Ma and Papoose. Fans rooted for them as the ultimate power couple, especially after Remy’s prison stint and their public vows to stick together. But in 2024, their split sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world.

Why the split?
Rumors of infidelity, business disputes, and the pressures of fame chipped away at their bond. Remy said,

“Sometimes, you have to choose your own happiness over history.”
Papoose, usually the private type, simply asked fans for “respect and space.”

5. Nas & Kelis: Child Support, Custody Battles, and Years of Bitterness

Legendary rapper Nas and singer Kelis were once a hip, edgy couple. But when Kelis filed for divorce in 2009 while pregnant, things quickly turned sour. Kelis accused Nas of abuse and infidelity. Nas, meanwhile, called the court-ordered $40,000-a-month support “unfair.”

Their words:
Kelis claimed,

“There are things that happened that should never happen to any woman.”
Nas has always denied the allegations, saying he was “fighting for my son and my reputation.”

6. Tina Knowles & Richard Lawson: An Unexpected Ending

Queen Bey’s mother, Tina Knowles, and actor Richard Lawson looked like Hollywood royalty. But even they weren’t immune to heartbreak. Their split was finalized in mid-2024 after just eight years.

What happened?
Reports say they simply “grew apart,” but Tina was clear:

“Love yourself enough to leave what no longer serves you.”
Richard received a sizable settlement, but both have chosen to keep most details private

7. Ray J & Princess Love: Divorce Roulette

Ray J and Princess Love’s relationship could fill a whole reality series, oh wait, it did! They’ve filed for divorce four times, reconciled, then fought again. By February 2024, Princess declared,

“I’m done for real this time.”
Ray J? “Love is complicated, but I’ll always be there for my kids.” Their rollercoaster continues, even as co-parents.