Halle Berry’s latest custody fight is drawing renewed scrutiny of her private life, with a longtime acquaintance claiming the actress can go from charming to furious in seconds. The source’s account comes as Berry battles ex-husband Olivier Martinez over their 13-year-old son, Maceo. Martinez has accused her of physical abuse, allegations she and her legal team strongly deny. But while the insider described what they called dramatic shifts in Berry’s moods, they also acknowledged an important limit to their account. They have never personally witnessed her behave that way toward her children.
Source Claims Halle Berry’s Moods Can Change Within Seconds
Speaking to Page Six, a source who has known Berry for many years alleged that her public image does not capture everything people close to her experience. “Halle can be the loveliest human being you’ve ever met, then within seconds she’ll fly into a rage,” the source claimed.
They went on to describe behavior they alleged others in her circle had witnessed. “There is what I can only term as a dysregulation to her moods that many, many people in her world have witnessed,” they said. “And while I personally have never seen her be like that with her children, the polarity of her moods are well known among her friends … I don’t think anyone in her life is immune to the mood swings.”
Another insider who knows Berry told the outlet they had witnessed “extreme kindness and then extreme bile and rage within minutes that would take your breath away.”
Insider Says Custody Disputes Have Been A Flashpoint
The longtime source pointed to Berry’s difficult history with former partners Martinez and Gabriel Aubry, both of whom share children with her. “These custody situations enrage Halle,” the source alleged. “And she has to support these men. They have both relied on her to support them, so it’s understandable that she would get upset, but her rage is sometimes out of control.”
Berry and Martinez announced their separation in 2015, but their divorce was not finalized until August 2023. Under that settlement, Berry was ordered to pay Martinez $8,000 a month in child support, plus 4.3 percent of her annual income above $2 million. She also covers Maceo’s private school tuition, health insurance, extracurricular activities, and therapy.
Her parenting disputes with Aubry, the father of her 18-year-old daughter Nahla, have also played out publicly. In 2014, Berry was ordered to pay him $16,000 a month in child support, along with additional expenses and fees.
The source also alleged that Berry dates people who “devote themselves to her” before “she comes to resent it.”
- Halle Berry says her ex is “cherry-picking” messages amid their heated custody fight over their son.
- Berry’s daughter claims Olivier Martinez is on a “quest to destroy” her mother.
- The actress alleges her son returns “angry and combative” after spending time with her ex.
- Berry turns down a fan’s selfie request during an outing with her son amid disputed choking allegations.
The Source Stops Short Of Backing Martinez’s Abuse Claims
Despite their criticism, the longtime acquaintance did not claim to have witnessed the conduct Martinez alleges. “When you put all the pieces together you see there might be a mood issue happening,” the source said, before adding, “However, this doesn’t make her guilty of what she’s being accused of.”
They also acknowledged that “Martinez has his own issues.”
Martinez’s court filing alleges that Berry choked Maceo during a September 26 argument involving virtual reality goggles at her Los Angeles home. He also alleged other incidents of abuse over the preceding year and a half. Berry and her legal team have rejected the accusations as “meritless and deliberately misleading.”
Martinez currently has temporary sole custody. A judge also ruled this week that Maceo can testify in the proceedings.
Nahla Offers A Very Different Account Of Her Mother
As anonymous insiders discuss Berry’s alleged temper, her daughter has offered a forceful defense in court. In a declaration obtained by Page Six, Nahla described Berry as a “loving and devoted parent” who “can be strict when necessary.”
“I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way,” she stated.
Nahla also directly addressed the accusation involving her younger brother’s neck. “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.”
She acknowledged that Berry expects her children to follow rules and behave respectfully, but rejected the suggestion that her parenting was abusive. “I never observed anything abusive about her parenting,” she added.
Berry Pushes For Custody Changes Ahead Of Hearing
Berry has responded with requests of her own. In a filing submitted Wednesday, the actress alleged that Martinez was responsible for Maceo’s recent behavioral issues at school. She is seeking sole legal custody and authority over major decisions affecting their son.
Alternatively, she wants final decision-making authority over education, medical care and mental health matters if the parents cannot agree after 72 hours of trying. Her filing includes declarations from Nahla, fiancé Van Hunt and school staff. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 19.
Meanwhile, the source who spoke about Berry’s alleged mood changes expressed concern about where the dispute could go next. “I hope this [current legal situation] doesn’t get too messy for the sake of everyone involved.”
