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Tyrese Gibson's Ex-Wives: The $500K Legal Battle, Custody Drama, And Where Norma & Samantha Are Now

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As of December 2025, the tumultuous love life of R&B singer and *Fast & Furious* star Tyrese Gibson remains a subject of intense public scrutiny, largely due to two highly contentious and financially draining divorces from his ex-wives, Norma Mitchell Gibson and Samantha Lee Gibson. The drama is far from over, with fresh legal filings dominating the headlines, centered on massive unpaid legal fees, bitter cross-country custody disputes, and the complex realities of co-parenting in the spotlight. This deep dive uncovers the complete story of the women Tyrese married, their respective backgrounds, and the current, explosive status of their post-marital relationships with the Hollywood star. Tyrese Gibson has been married twice, resulting in two daughters. While both relationships ended in divorce, the legal and public fallout from both his first marriage to Norma Mitchell and his second marriage to Samantha Lee has been characterized by high-stakes court battles involving child support, defamation claims, and significant financial demands.

A Complete Profile of Tyrese Gibson's Ex-Wives

Tyrese Gibson's two marriages, though brief, have defined much of his personal life in the public eye. Both women have distinct careers and backgrounds, but their shared experience is the intense media spotlight brought on by their high-profile divorces and custody disputes with the actor.

Norma Mitchell Gibson (First Wife)

  • Full Name: Norma Mitchell Gibson (also known as Norma Gibson)
  • Nationality: London, UK native
  • Marriage Duration: 2007–2009
  • Child: Daughter, Shayla Somer Gibson (born 2007)
  • Career/Background: Norma's public profile is primarily tied to her relationship with Tyrese and the subsequent legal proceedings. She is a London native. Their divorce was followed by years of legal conflict, including a major custody battle over their daughter, Shayla.
  • Key Legal Battles: Custody of Shayla, claims of defamation against Tyrese, and a dismissed plea for a restraining order.

Samantha Lee Gibson (Second Wife)

  • Full Name: Samantha Lee Gibson (née Schwalenberg)
  • Nationality: American
  • Marriage Duration: 2017–2020
  • Child: Daughter, Soraya Lee Gibson (born 2018)
  • Career/Background: Samantha Lee is a social worker, certified business coach, and online influencer who focuses on fitness and beauty. She holds a degree in social work from the University of Georgia. Before her marriage, she worked as an advocate in mental health services.
  • Key Legal Battles: Ongoing divorce settlement, child support, custody of Soraya, and a major dispute over unpaid legal fees.

The Current and Contentious Divorce Drama with Samantha Lee

The split between Tyrese and Samantha Lee Gibson has become one of the most financially and emotionally charged celebrity divorces in recent memory, with new developments frequently emerging in 2025. The core of the current legal storm revolves around two major issues: a staggering debt of unpaid legal fees and a volatile, cross-country custody battle.

The Nearly $500K Unpaid Legal Fee Dispute

The most pressing and recent issue in their divorce is the massive sum of unpaid legal fees. Tyrese is reportedly facing a demand for nearly $500,000—specifically $492,000—in outstanding attorney fees related to the divorce proceedings. This financial dispute has escalated dramatically, with Samantha Lee's legal team reportedly seeking to have the actor held in contempt of court and potentially jailed until the debt is settled. The actor has publicly called out his ex-wife and her lawyers for what he perceives as attempts to "squeeze" him financially, even enlisting a "Fathers Advocacy Group" to address the court-ordered payments.

The Battle for Soraya: Custody and the Move to Oregon

Beyond the financial drama, the most personal and painful conflict is the ongoing custody battle over their daughter, Soraya. In 2023, Samantha Lee Gibson was awarded primary physical custody of Soraya, and the court ordered Tyrese to pay a substantial $10,690 per month in child support. However, the dispute reignited when Samantha Lee relocated with Soraya from Georgia, where Tyrese resides, to Oregon—a distance of over 2,500 miles. Tyrese is now reportedly seeking a modification to the custody order, demanding primary custody of their 7-year-old daughter, arguing that the move significantly complicates his visitation rights and co-parenting efforts. Samantha has acknowledged the move but maintains that her actions are in compliance with the court's orders.

Norma Mitchell Gibson: The First Custody War and Defamation Claims

While the legal drama with Samantha Lee is the most current, Tyrese's first divorce from Norma Mitchell set the precedent for his highly public and contentious post-marital life. Their marriage lasted only two years, but the subsequent custody battle over their daughter, Shayla, spanned many years. The early legal proceedings were marked by intense disputes, including allegations that Tyrese had defamed Norma in public and court documents. At one point, Norma Mitchell Gibson sought a restraining order against the actor, though a judge ultimately dismissed the plea. Tyrese eventually scored a major victory in the case, securing 50/50 joint custody of Shayla. The actor has stated that he is no longer "living in fear" amid the case with his first ex-wife, suggesting a long period of emotional and legal strain. The resolution of this first custody battle provided a template for the kind of high-stakes legal maneuvering that would later reappear in his second divorce. The consistent theme across both of Tyrese Gibson's divorces is a protracted legal struggle over child support and custody, punctuated by significant financial demands and public accusations. The ongoing legal battles with Samantha Lee, particularly the threat of jail time over the $492,000 bill, ensure that the drama surrounding Tyrese's ex-wives remains front-page news. As the actor continues to balance his Hollywood career with these complex personal and financial entanglements, the courts—and the public—will continue to follow every twist and turn.
tyrese ex wives
tyrese ex wives

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