Updated October 9, 2026, 4:57 p.m. ET
Halle Berry’s 18-year-old daughter defends her mother amid abuse allegations.
Nahla Aubry submitted a written statement to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Oct. 3 in support of the 60-year-old actress, two days after her ex-husband Olivier Martinez filed for sole custody of their son Maceo, 13, and a domestic violence restraining order, alleging that Berry “physically abused” the boy “by jumping on him, putting his hands around his neck and choking him” on Sept. 26.
“I was shocked, very sad and very upset when I learned of Olivier’s allegations against my mother,” wrote Aubry, whom Berry welcomed in 2008 with her then-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. “I have lived with my mother my entire life and have personally observed her relationship with Maceo for years, the allegations are completely inconsistent with the mother I know.”
Aubry called Berry, who denies the allegations, a “loving and devoted parent” who “always encouraged” her and her brother “to have loving relationships with our fathers.” Aubry further accused Martinez of being on a “quest to destroy my mother,” noting that she was “heartbroken” to see Maceo “be the subject of a public controversy that he may not fully understand.”
“Based on my observations throughout Maceo’s life, I believe that he loves our mother very much and shares a close bond with her. I have seen him hug her, kiss her, tell her he loves her, seek her comfort, and enjoy spending time with her,” Aubry’s statement read. “At the same time, I have also witnessed instances where Maceo has been disrespectful, sometimes aggressive and unwilling to follow the rules at home.”
She noted, “When this happened, my mother responded the same way she did with me when I was little: by imposing appropriate limits and consequences, such as limiting screen time, enforcing timeouts, or restricting access to electronic devices and play dates. I never observed anything abusive about her parenting.”
Olivier Martinez accuses Halle Berry of repeated abuse
In Martinez’s Oct. 1 filing, he said Berry abused Maceo multiple times over the years, including on Sept. 26 when she allegedly entered the child’s bedroom while he was playing a VR game and “started pushing him.” When he told her to stop, Martinez claimed the “Catwoman” star was “angry,” calling him “stupid” and “an idiot.”
“The situation escalated from there,” Martinez said, alleging that Berry “jumped on Maceo and started physically fighting with him. She grabbed Maceo by the neck and started choking him while screaming. ‘Who’s dominant now?! Who’s dominant?'”
The next day, Berry allegedly texted Martinez: “I feel bad about what happened last night, and I know he does too.” Martinez said he had “significant concerns” about Berry’s mental health and “alcohol abuse,” which he said “contributed to his abusive conduct.”
Other cases of alleged abuse detailed in the filing include one five years ago when Berry allegedly “hit Maceo in the face” and another ten years ago when she allegedly “threw a plate, with the knife and fork” where her son was sitting.
Martinez also accused Berry of making “racist statements” by telling Maceo that his father was a “white bitch trying to steal from a black woman” in reference to “child support issues” in 2023.
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, previously denied Martinez’s allegations in a statement to USA TODAY, calling her filing “completely baseless and deliberately misleading.”
“In some ways, today’s filing is not entirely unexpected from an individual with a well-documented history of erratic, possessive and violent behavior,” Beck said. “Fortunately, Halle is accustomed to this kind of outrageous behavior from Mr. Martinez and, while she is deeply saddened, she will not allow this to deter her from fighting for Maceo’s best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs.”
Nahla Aubry alongside Halle Berry and reflects on her “romantic” relationship
In her statement, Aubry said: “In all my years of living with my mother, I have never seen her act violently towards anyone; however, I do remember Oliver beating my father in our driveway when I was little.” She then addressed — and denied — each of Martinez’s allegations.
“I never saw my mother throw anything at anyone, not a knife, or a plate, or any other object. I never saw my mother hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way. I saw my mother and Maceo playfully fight, tickle, and roll around laughing on the floor or on a bed on multiple occasions,” Aubry wrote. “I never saw my mother place her hands around Maceo’s neck, strangle him, restrict his breathing, or engage in any behavior remotely resembling the allegations that were made against her.
“I never saw Maceo hurt, upset, cry or do anything but laugh after his and my mother’s playful struggle,” she continued. “I have also never heard my mother make insensitive or racist comments. My mother is biracial, I am biracial, and Maceo is biracial. Throughout my life, my mother taught us both to embrace who we are, appreciate our differences, and respect people of all backgrounds. The statements Olivier claims my mother has made are completely inconsistent with the values she has taught me my entire life.”
While Aubry said Berry “can be strict when necessary and expects her children to follow the rules and be respectful,” she described her mother as “warm, supportive and deeply involved in our lives.” Aubry concluded by expressing his love and concern for Maceo and the impact the legal battle will have on him.
Martinez ultimately obtained a temporary restraining order against Berry on Oct. 1, limiting his parenting time to day visits on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until their next hearing on Oct. 16.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, callNational Domestic Violence Hotline to 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
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