Halle Berry's Daughter Defends Her From Abuse Claims

Halle Berry's Ex Olivier Martinez Accuses Her of Choking Their 12-Year-Old Son

Halle Berry’s daughter is standing by her side.

On the heels of Berry’s ex-husband Olivier Martinez filing a temporary restraining order against her on the allegation she physically abused their 13-year-old son Maceo, the actress’ 18-year-old daughter Nahla has come to her defense.

“My mom is a loving and devoted parent,” Nahla—whom Berry shares with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry—wrote in a legal declaration filed in a Los Angeles Superior Court in response to Martinez’ filing and obtained by E! News Oct. 8. “She can be strict when necessary and expects her children to follow rules and be respectful. At the same time, she is warm, supportive, and deeply involved in our lives.”

The teenager affirmed Berry has consistently made time for her amid a demanding work schedule.

“I have watched her do the same for Maceo,” Nahla wrote. “She attended his games, drove him to practices and tournaments, and advocated for his education and access to medical treatment and therapy. She celebrates our successes, supports us through challenges, and is always there when we need her.”

Nahla also specifically addressed Martinez’s allegations of Berry causing “emotional and mental distress due to physical abuse” of their son, which he’s used in his argument for sole custody.

“In all my years living with my mom, I have never witnessed her act violently toward anyone,” Nhala wrote. “I have also never seen my mom throw anything at anyone, not a knife, or plate, or any other object. I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way.”

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She has, however seen Berry and her brother “playfully wrestle, tickle each other, and roll around laughing on the floor or on a bed many times. I have never seen my mom place her hands around Maceo's neck, put him in a chokehold, restrict his breathing, or engage in any conduct remotely resembling the allegations that have been made against her.”

The teen added, “I have never seen Maceo hurt, upset, cry or do anything but laugh after his and my mom’s playful wrestling.”

E! News has reached out to attorneys and reps for both Berry and Martinez for comment but has not yet heard back.

In the filing, Berry’s legal team notes, “Olivier’s account of the events of September 26, 2026, [...] is contradicted by video evidence, witness testimony, documentary evidence, and the parties’ subsequent conduct.” 

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In his own filing, Martinez alleged Maceo and Berry were involved in a physical altercation, alleging he received a phone call from Maceo to come pick him up because the Monster’s Ball actress “had physically attacked him and choked him.”

“While on the phone with our son, I heard him panicking,” Martinez continued in the filing, “and heard [Berry] still yelling at him in the background.”

In addition to her response filing, which includes Nahla’s declaration and other statements in support of Berry, the Oscar winner’s attorney Marina Beck shared a statement following Martinez’s claims.

"In a way, today’s filing is not entirely unexpected from an individual with a well-documented history of erratic, possessive and violent behavior,” she told E! News. “Fortunately, Halle is used to this kind of outrageous conduct from Mr. Martinez.” 

“While she is deeply saddened,” the statement continued, Berry “will not allow it to deter her from fighting for [her son’s] best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs.”

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