Halle Bailey Seeks Restraining Order Against Ex-Boyfriend DDG, Cites Abuse Allegations
Halle Bailey, the celebrated actress and singer known for her role in "The Little Mermaid" and as one half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, has initiated legal proceedings against her former boyfriend and co-parent, Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., professionally known as DDG. The legal action, taken just seven months after the couple publicly announced their separation, centers around allegations of physical, emotional, verbal, and financial abuse.
Bailey, 25, filed a restraining order request on May 13 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, outlining a series of incidents and behaviors she claims constitute a pattern of abuse by DDG. The court documents, obtained by USA TODAY, paint a concerning picture of a relationship marred by conflict, disrespect, and alleged violence.
At the heart of the matter is the well-being of their one-year-old son, Halo. Bailey’s primary concern is to ensure the safety and stability of her child, which she believes is being threatened by DDG’s actions.
In her filing, Bailey states that the couple’s split was precipitated by DDG’s volatile temper and a perceived lack of respect towards her. Beyond the personal issues, Bailey alleges that DDG has engaged in a persistent campaign of "badmouthing" her as a parent on social media platforms. DDG, in addition to his rap career, maintains a strong presence on YouTube and Twitch, where he frequently interacts with his large online following.
Bailey contends that DDG’s disparaging remarks on social media have incited a wave of online threats and hatred directed towards her. The actress expresses a deep sense of fear and vulnerability, stating, "I realize that there is no placating Darryl. I cannot allow this abuse any longer. I cannot keep living like this. I never know when he is going to demand our son be in his mother’s care and whether I will be subjected to his threats and abuse."
As a consequence of DDG’s alleged abuse, Bailey is seeking comprehensive protective measures for herself and Halo. These include no-contact and stay-away orders that would legally prevent DDG from communicating with or approaching them. The restraining order request stipulates that DDG must maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from Bailey and Halo, and refrain from posting about them on social media.
In addition to the restraining order, Bailey is petitioning the court for full legal and physical custody of Halo. This move underscores her belief that she is the most suitable parent to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their child.
Further highlighting her commitment to her career and her ability to balance motherhood with professional obligations, Bailey has requested the court’s permission to travel with Halo to Italy in June. She is scheduled to film a movie in Italy and wants to ensure that her son can accompany her.
The relationship between Bailey and DDG became public in March 2022, when DDG shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to Bailey on Instagram. The "Im Geekin" rapper’s post celebrated Bailey’s 22nd birthday and marked their official debut as a couple. In an August 2022 interview with Essence magazine, Bailey revealed that she and DDG had connected through social media after he sent her a message online.
However, the relationship appears to have deteriorated significantly since then, culminating in Bailey’s decision to seek legal intervention.
The restraining order request details several specific incidents of alleged physical abuse. One alleged incident occurred in January at Bailey’s Los Angeles home. According to the filing, an argument ensued after Bailey inquired about when DDG would return Halo. Bailey claims that DDG became "agitated" and refused to answer her question while she was securing the baby in his car seat.
Bailey alleges that the argument escalated into a physical altercation, with DDG reportedly pulling her hair and slamming her face into the vehicle’s steering wheel. As a result of the alleged assault, Bailey claims she sustained multiple bruises on her arms and a chipped tooth. The court documents include close-up images of the alleged injuries as evidence.
Another source of conflict, according to Bailey, is DDG’s alleged "last-minute demands" to visit Halo. In March, Bailey claims that DDG arrived at her home to see Halo despite her warning that she and the baby were ill with RSV. When she informed DDG that she did not want the baby to leave the house, he allegedly "raised his voice and became verbally abusive," later smashing her home security camera after noticing it was recording.
Following this incident, Bailey filed a police report against DDG, alleging that he took her phone and threw it out of his car window.
In another alleged incident earlier that month, Bailey claims that DDG entered her home without her permission, went into her bedroom, and took photos of her empty bed. She alleges that she received the photo via text message, accompanied by the message, "now I know what u been on lol," which she interpreted as an insinuation that she was "having sex with other men."
Bailey’s legal filing also accuses DDG of "weaponizing" his extensive online fanbase to criticize her parenting. She claims that he has accused her of preventing him from seeing their son and of having relationships with other men. Despite her attempts to establish a consistent visitation schedule with DDG, Bailey alleges that he refuses to formalize an agreement.
"He seems to try to set up drama for his fans. He goes live ranting about me and alleges that I am keeping Halo from him," Bailey states in the filing. "This is not child-centered. I have asked him to stop this behavior. He continues. He gets paid for hits and this creates hits for him."
Bailey further alleges that the "fan frenzy" generated by DDG’s frequent posts has subjected her family life to intense public scrutiny, including the circulation of the hashtag "#freehalo." She states, "This has caused me to feel afraid and victimized. His fans then threaten me. I am often scared for my life and Halo’s safety."
A hearing in Bailey’s case against DDG is scheduled for June 4. The court will consider the evidence presented and determine whether to grant the restraining order and other protective measures requested by Bailey.
The case has brought renewed attention to the issue of domestic violence and the challenges faced by individuals in high-profile relationships. The allegations against DDG are serious and underscore the importance of seeking help and legal recourse when experiencing abuse. Resources such as The National Domestic Violence Hotline offer confidential support and assistance to victims of domestic violence.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides a safe and confidential avenue for individuals to speak with trained advocates online or by phone. Recognizing that online activity may be monitored by abusers, the hotline recommends calling for those who suspect their online communications are being tracked. Advocates can assist survivors in developing safety plans for themselves and their children. The hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233.
