Many celebrity relationships have endured scandals throughout the years. For some stars, their love quickly turned sour and there are unfortunately plenty of cases where their relationships even became violent. There have been celebrities whose partners have accused them of domestic violence, and while some were quick to deny it, others even served time in prison because of it.
Other couples were somehow able to overcome the abuse and continued to be together, despite the violence and mistreatment. While women make up most of the numbers of domestic violence victims, there are also men who are victims of abuse through their romantic partners.
More from MamásLatinas: 10 Celebs who have survived abusive relationships
Sadly, for some famous stars being accused of abuse was not a one-time thing and history repeated itself in their other relationships. Domestic violence is one of the most difficult situations to live through, and coming forward to speak out against your abuser is tough, especially when they are a celebrity. That opens the survivor up to criticism from the public and people who will chime in to pass judgment about the situation.
It's never easy to come forward and we admire survivors who have been able to share their side of the story–even when it meant putting themselves in even more danger. Scroll through to see which famous stars have been accused of domestic violence.
Colombian soccer player Sebastián Villa was accused of abuse.
The athlete took to Instagram to deny claims that he had been abusive to a woman named Daniela Cortes. His video was a response to her post, in which she shared gruesome photos and videos on Instagram in April 2020 of what looked like her injuries from an assault she claims to have suffered at the hands of the soccer star. "This is the real Sebastian Villa," she wrote. "The one who mistreats women, because I haven't been the only one."
Rapper Fabolous altercation with Emily B was caught on video.
A disturbing video of the couple's fight was obtained by TMZ, and it showed them arguing outside of their home. The Brooklyn rapper was indicted in 2008 on four felony charges for allegedly punching the mother of his children in the face and threatening to assault her father with scissors. Fabolous completed a violence prevention workshop over the span of a few months and the charges against him were dropped. The couple is still together.
Rapper XXXTentacion's ex accused him of abuse.
XXXTentacion’s ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, accused the rapper of abuse before his death in June 2018. Audio was later leaked of the late rapper reportedly admitting that he assaulted his ex. At the time of his death, the musician was awaiting trial on charges including domestic battery, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment.
Don Omar was arrested on domestic violence charges.
The Puerto Rico reggaeton star was arrested in September 2014 in the U.S. territory after he was accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend, Rebeca M. López Zambrano. She later dropped the charges against the musician, and it was reported that he paid her a large sum to do so. "I feel too much pressure and cannot stand for one more day what this has become. I cannot afford to hurt someone I love–much less interfere with his career, for which he has independently fought," she wrote on Facebook at the time, according to Fox News Latino. "We all make mistakes and my heart will not let me. Inside me there is only forgiveness. I cannot continue with this process."
Rumors about Sean Penn have circulated in Hollywood.
The actor was married to Madonna from 1985 to 1989 and there have been rumors that there was abuse in their marriage. The pop star denied the rumors in court during a defamation lawsuit the actor filed against TV producer Lee Daniels. “I am aware of the allegations that have surfaced over the years accusing Sean of incidents of physical assault and abuse against me, which purportedly resulted in Sean’s arrest for domestic assault and battery against me,” her 2015 declaration stated. “Sean has never struck me, ‘tied me up,’ or physically assaulted me, and any report to the contrary is completely outrageous, malicious, reckless and false.”
José Manuel Figueroa was accused of getting violent.
The singer was accused of domestic violence by third parties. The Mexican star and his ex, Ninel Conde, had quite a rocky relationship, but she denied being a victim of domestic abuse. It was an outside party, Giovanni Medina, who assured that he had been violent toward his ex.
Chris Brown's infamous domestic violence case is hard to forget.
Chris Brown's relationship with Rihanna came to an end one horrific night in 2009, when he assaulted her in his car. The Grammy winner was left with multiple bruises on her face and with a split lip following the altercation. He served five years probation and a community service order for the assault.
Mike Tyson was accused by ex-wife, Robin Givens.
The boxer denied that he “beat” or “hit” his then-wife, Robin Givens in an ABC interview with Barbara Walter 1988. “I grabbed my wife and hold my wife, you know what I mean? I shake my wife up. I never totally struck my wife,” he said. In the same interview, Robin opened up about shared her experience. “He shakes, he pushes, he swings. Sometimes, I think he’s trying to scare me," she said at the time. "Just recently, I’ve become afraid.”
Charlie Sheen pleaded guilty.
Charlie Sheen pleaded guilty in 2010 to a charge stemming from a Christmas Day dispute with his then-wife, Brooke Mueller, in Aspen, Colorado. The actor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in the domestic abuse case and the Associated Press reported that he was sentenced to 30 days in a California rehabilitation center, 30 days of probation, and 36 hours of anger management.
Tommy Lee served time in jail.
The musician spent six months in jail in 1998 after pleading no contest to assualting his then-wife Pamela Anderson, who said he kicked her while she was holding their son, Dylan. It was reported that he left her with "bruises, a torn fingernail and fear for the safety of her two sons, Dylan and Brandon."
Dennis Rodman has a history of violence.
The former NBA star pleaded no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery in 2008 and was sentenced to three years of probation, one year of domestic violence counseling, and 45 days of community service. The charges came after he was arrested in a Los Angeles hotel after his then-girlfriend, Gina Peterson, said he hit her during an argument.
Carmen Electra and ex Dennis Rodman were arrested.
The actress and her beau at the time, Dennis Rodman, were arrested on battery charges in 1999 after they had a fight at a hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Officers were called to the Bentley Hotel in South Beach at 7 a.m. after they received reports of screaming and fighting coming from them then-couple. Neither one of them pressed charges.
Terrence Howard said his past was to blame for his actions.
The actor has had a history with abusing women he has been involved with, and said his father's abusive past led him to making those mistakes. In 2001, he was arrested in Pennsylvania for punching his then-wife and the mother of three of his children, Lori McCommas. "I've made terrible mistakes throughout my life," the 48-year-old Empire actor told People. "I was dragging baggage with me that was crippling me mentally and physically. But I finally feel I can put that to rest. I can breathe again."
Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston had a tumultuous relationship.
The couple had one of the most talked-about relationships in the music world, with allegations of physical abuse and infidelity. The singer was charged with battery for hitting his wife and threatening to "beat her ass" in December 2003. Police reported that she had visible injuries to her face. Whitney's spokesperson later released a statement that read, “Bobby Brown is very apologetic about what happened and hopes his wife forgives him."
Flavor Flav pleaded guilty.
The rapper and reality TV star pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges in Las Vegas in 2014 and avoided jail time in the case that stemmed from an incident that took place in 2012.
Kate del Castillo says Luis García abused her throughout their marriage.
Former soccer star Luis García was accused by his ex-wife, Kate del Castillo, of abuse. The Mexican actress alleged that she had suffered domestic violence abuse throughout their marriage.
Osvaldo Ríos was accused of violence.
The actor has a long chain of accusations against him. In 2004, the actor was in jail for three months for domestic violence against his ex, Daisy Annette Santiago. Other women have also come forward with their stories about their experiences with him.
Cristian Castro's ex-wives have shared their stories.
The singer is on his third divorce, and in all three of his marriages, one of the reasons for the split was said to be "physical and psychological abuse." His ex, Carol Victoria Urban, sued him for abuse in May 2018.
Mario Cimarro has been accused of violence in the past.
Venezuelan actress Natalia Streignard said her divorce from Cuban actor Mario Cimarro was due to physical abuse and infidelity she experienced during their marriage. He was also later accused of abuse by his co-workers on set.
JWoww had videos of her ex-husband Roger Matthews' abuse.
Things got a bit heated between Jersey Shore star Jenni "JWoww" Farley and her then-estranged husband, Roger Mathews. The reality telivision star released videos that allegedly showed her partner attacking her in their home.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp are said to have abused each other.
The former couple have been going back and forth with abuse claims after their divorce, and even took their divorce and domestic violence matters to court. The actor was accused of abuse by his ex-wife but he made his own accusations of abuse against her after audio surfaced of them arguing about physical altercations.
