Former Major League Baseball star David Justice has once again found himself in the headlines after speaking candidly about his short-lived marriage to Halle Berry. Appearing on the All the Smoke podcast, Justice shared his perspective on why their relationship ended — and his remarks quickly stirred online debate.
A Whirlwind Romance
Justice and Berry first met in 1992, when Berry admired his baseball career from afar. Their romance escalated rapidly, and by January 1993, the two were married. However, this fast-paced start hid underlying incompatibilities that would later surface. Justice admitted that at the time, he was inexperienced in relationships, having only been in one serious romance before Berry. Growing up in the Midwest shaped his traditional expectations of marriage, where he envisioned a wife who cooked, cleaned, and embraced a maternal role.
Controversial Comments
During the interview, Justice said that Berry didn’t meet those traditional expectations. His words — “she don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem motherly” — quickly drew backlash. He explained that these differences made him question whether she was the right person to start a family with. Justice also revealed that Berry proposed after just five months of dating. He went along with the engagement, unsure if his heart was fully committed, but reluctant to reject her and hurt her feelings. “I don’t know if my heart was really into it,” he reflected.
Public Backlash
Justice’s comments sparked a flurry of criticism on social media. Many users mocked his expectations, pointing out that he married an award-winning actress at the height of her career yet seemed to expect a live-in housekeeper. One critic wrote, “You married Halle Berry in her prime as a movie star and was expecting her to cook and clean? Bye Felicia.” Another added, “He wants @halleberry as a housekeeper… Congratulations on escaping queen.” Others suggested he was still bitter and needed to “let it go.”
The End of the Marriage
The couple’s marriage lasted only four years. They separated in 1997, and Berry later filed for a temporary restraining order. The breakup took an emotional toll on Berry, who has since revealed that the stress pushed her to the brink of suicide. Justice, meanwhile, has always denied rumors that he was physically abusive, claiming that Berry never publicly cleared his name and allowed public speculation to run unchecked.
Life After Divorce
After the split, both moved on with their lives. Justice married Rebecca Villalobos in 2001, and the couple now have three children together. Berry married singer Eric Benét in 2001, divorcing in 2005, and later wed actor Olivier Martinez in 2013, divorcing in 2016. She shares a son with Martinez and a daughter from her previous relationship with model Gabriel Aubry. Currently, Berry is in a long-term relationship with musician Van Hunt, who reportedly proposed in 2024, though she has yet to publicly confirm her answer.
A Story That Still Captures Attention
Nearly three decades later, the details of Justice and Berry’s marriage remain a topic of fascination. While Justice’s recent comments shed light on his perspective, they have also reignited debate over traditional gender roles, expectations in relationships, and the lingering impact of public breakups.
Conclusion
Whether seen as an honest reflection or a misguided airing of grievances, Justice’s words prove that celebrity relationships — and their endings — continue to spark strong reactions long after the wedding photos fade.
