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Billionaire David Geffen’s divorce from model Donovan Michaels gets nasty as the latter sues the former for breach of contract. The pair split without a prenup.
The marriage and subsequent divorce between billionaire entertainment industry mogul David Geffen and model Donovan Michaels is turning public—and becoming increasingly nasty. On Tuesday, Michaels sued Geffen for breach of contract in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming he was treated like a “living social experiment—a trophy to show off to his wealthy friends, under the guise of benevolence.”
Michaels claims that the nine-year relationship, which became a two-year marriage, was actually the story of a “young vulnerable black man, orphaned as a toddler” who was drawn into a web spun by “an exploiter, masquerading as a white knight.” Multibillionaire Geffen is 82 years old, while Michaels is 50 years his junior at age 32.
According to Michaels’ scathing lawsuit, the couple met through a website “where men like Geffen shop for the vulnerable,” on SeekingArrangements.com.
“Geffen learned of Michaels’ troubled past—his history of neglect, poverty, instability, and legal entanglements,” the complaint reads. “Rather than respond with empathy or offer genuine support, Geffen saw Michaels as an object of exploitation: a young, attractive, and gay black man whose trauma could be weaponized for Geffen’s personal gratification and public image.”
Michaels’ filing asserts that Geffen paid him $10,000 for sex on their first night together in 2016. Eventually, the relationship evolved from paid sexual encounters into a partnership.
“Geffen told Michaels he loved him and the two would treat one another as life partners, share all assets equally, and Geffen would support Michaels financially for life,” the complaint states. “Michaels gave up his dreams—his modeling career, his independence—to dedicate himself fully to this promise.”
The couple married in 2023 without a prenuptial agreement, which “reinforced Michaels’ belief that the relationship was genuine and enduring.” However, “what Michaels did not know at the time was that this was nothing more than a transaction to Geffen.”
Among the details claimed in the lawsuit include Geffen allegedly forcing Michaels to have all his body hair removed, as well as “backhanded insults and put-downs” that “cultivated Michaels’ insecurity and self-doubt.”
Michaels also asserts that, while Geffen hosted his wealthy friends on his super yacht, Rising Sun, on the evening before Jeff Bezos’ recent wedding, “he demanded that Michaels immediately vacate the New York residence, which would effectively render Michaels homeless.” Further, Michaels says Geffen “cut him off from his status quo financial support,” which made it impossible for Michaels to secure alternative living arrangements and provide for his day-to-day needs.
Notably, Michaels is represented in the divorce proceedings—but not the recently filed lawsuit—by Samantha Spector, while Geffen is represented by Laura Wasser. Spector and Wasser have faced off countless times in celebrity divorces, including Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, and Dr. Dre and Nicole Young.
Michaels’ complaint was filed by attorney Bryan Freedman, who has worked with Spector on many divorce cases to determine intellectual property assets. Freedman is also representing numerous high-profile clients, including the South Park creators in their deal with Paramount, and Justin Baldoni in his legal battle with Blake Lively.
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