Norma Mitchell and Tyrese are in a heated court battle. She is seeking a permanent restraining order, claiming he’s been abusive to her and their daughter.
Tyrese Gibson and his ex-wife, Norma Mitchell, are in the middle of an intense court battle. Over the past three months, Gibson has had limited time with his 10-year-old daughter, Shayla, as Mitchell was granted a temporary restraining order against her ex.
In 2015, Mitchell opened up about her relationship with Tyrese, telling MadameNoire that her marriage to Gibson was both emotionally and physically abusive.
Here is what you need to know:
#ShaylaDaddyLovesYouNoMatterWhat
A post shared by TYRESE (@tyrese) on Oct 27,2017 at 4:28pm PDT
Mitchell is seeking a permanent restraining order against Gibson. According to TMZ, Mitchell claims that Gibson has been physically abusive to both her and their daughter.
Mitchell told a judge about the abuse that she claims she has suffered over the years and has said that her ex-husband has been harassing her since 2014. She also told the court that Gibson hit her whilst she was pregnant, but that she didn’t say anything at the time because “she didn’t want to ruin Gibson’s career,” according to TMZ’s report.
Court documents also reveal an instance in which Mitchell claims that Gibson “pushed” and “beat” their daughter.
“Norma claims [Gibson] went into a rage, pushed Shayla to the ground, ‘grabbed her hands with one arm and beat her with the other’ between 12 and 16 times. Norma says Tyrese hit Shayla so hard she couldn’t sit. Tyrese says he only struck her once on her bottom,” reports TMZ.
In addition, Mitchell told a judge that her ex has been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder “by three psychotherapists,” according to People Magazine. This is something that Gibson has denied.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the case, according to Page Six .
Back in September, Gibson opened up about his ex-wife’s allegations, denying being abusive and telling People Magazine that he’d never harm his daughter.
“After nine years of working extremely hard to co-parent our child, I am disappointed to learn that the mother of my daughter has made gross and false accusations against my character in a shameful attempt to ruin our co-parenting efforts. There is nothing I love more in this world than my daughter and I would never do anything to harm her well-being or happiness. Co-parenting is tough and it’s unfortunate when your partner tries to sabotage the situation with hurtful lies and irrational behavior” he told the outlet in a statement.
Gibson believes that his ex is doing all of this because he recently got remarried (he married Samantha Lee earlier this year) and Mitchell is “bitter.”
In an Instagram post, Gibson wrote, “I was hoping by now you got over what we used to be… Being bitter, resentful, and [just flat out] mean… has never been good for our daughter …. But I see the attacks just won’t stop so I believe this too will pass and God and the courts will reveal the truth.”
Gibson has made some pretty shocking claims of his own, however. During a cross-examination, Gibson claimed that he hired a private investigator to tail his ex-wife because he believes that she has been “dating a drug addict,” according to TMZ. This is something that Mitchell has denied.
The former couple both seem to want to put their daughter first, but this court hearing is taking its toll. On Wednesday, Gibson posted an emotional video online, begging for “his baby.” You can see that video above.
Last week, Gibson was hospitalized after appearing in court. According to TMZ, the Fast and the Furious actor had been experiencing chest pains. He was seen leaving the hospital later that same evening.
Mitchell claims that Gibson has been doing everything he can to try to woo his daughter before she testifies in court, according to Page Six .
“[He is] showering her with gifts, including flowers, balloons, teddy bears and a fruit arrangement,” according to Mitchell.
Previously, Mitchell explained how she manages to keep Shayla grounded through the tough times. Now, she’s planning on putting her daughter on the stand.
“I explain to her the reality of what media is. You just have to say, ‘The media puts a lot of stories out there. Don’t pay attention.’ I’ve talked to her about it and have educated her on other stories of people who have negative things in the media. She has an understanding that it’s like watching a movie. It’s not reality and that what we go through in our personal lives only makes us stronger,” Mitchell told MadameNoire in 2015.
This is not the first time that Gibson and Mitchell have been to court, either. About a year after the former couple filed their respective divorce papers, Mitchell submitted additional paperwork that caused their divorce proceedings to be put on hold.
In January 2009, Mitchell filed paperwork “seeking modification of their custody arrangement, as well as a change in child & spousal support, as well as attorney fees,” according to Radar Online .
In the years that followed, Gibson and Mitchell seemed to be okay co-parenting their daughter. In fact, he even shared a photo of them together in 2016.
“You’re looking at an answered prayer… We prayed and made peace on behalf of our daughter… I have to remind all of you…. Of the power and presence of God…. After praying and praying and praying God showed UP and showed OUT…… We will never be again…. But we will always be a family…… From the Gibson’s to you and yours,” read Gibson’s caption in part.
Mitchell and Gibson met in London back in 2002. Mitchell had been going to school at the time and ended up falling in love with the actor and R&B singer. The two ended up heading to Los Angeles together a short time later. Mitchell and Gibson tied the knot in 2007, the same year that they welcomed their daughter.
Gibson and Mitchell’s relationship was extremely private for several months and Tyrese made it a point not to talk about his wife. In fact, many people have referred to Mitchell as Gibson’s “secret wife,” since not many people even knew who she was, let alone that the two had gotten married.
“I don’t want to say. I live a private lifestyle. I don’t want no paparazzi following me around. I don’t get off on that,” he told Wilson Morales in August 2008.
It didn’t take long, however, for things to fall apart, and the two split after just 10 months together.
