Halle Berry is in Gayle King‘s corner, as she can personally relate to the cheating ex situation.
The “CBS Mornings” popular host recently opened up about the incident that led to the end of her marriage. She detailed how her ex-husband illicit sexual affairs with one of her friends caught her off guard nearly forty years ago.
Halle Berry, unlike Gayle King, has been in several relationships and three marriages from the early 90’s to 2016. During these relationships, the actress has suffered infidelity from her partners and physical abuse.
Halle Berry Stands By Gayle King’s Decision To Speak Out
Berry praised King for sharing her experience with a cheating partner, noting that it hit a little close to home since she had gone through similar experiences with her previous lovers. She said that such sensitive topics should not be dumped on the back burner but should be openly discussed without shame.
“I think we should talk about it, absolutely. I’m proud of [King] for, you know, saying that and sharing this… because it has happened to many of us,” the “Catwoman” star said on a recent appearance on NBC’s “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.“
Berry continued the conversation and told the host that such painful memories are never forgotten; sharing them with others somehow becomes therapeutic. “It’s a catharsis when you can share it, and someone else can say what their experience has been,” the actress added.
She then highlighted that she has good reason to identify with King’s confession because she dealt with a similar incident with her second husband, Eric Benét. The musician admitted to being unfaithful to Berry during their marriage and later publicly apologized for his actions.
The Actress’ Cheating Experience Was Out In The Open
Berry noted that during her time, she could not hide as the details of her cheating spouse were all over the news. While she tried not to address the situation very publicly for the sake of her children, the news traveled on several platforms.
The actress told the show’s hosts that she talked about ther experience with her friends and other women. “I did not carry the shame,” the “Swordfish” actress declared, adding that she feels grateful that she spoke up.
Although she did not name the cheating spouse she was referring to on the NBC show, all fingers pointed to Benét. Her ex-husband Benét claimed he was a sex addict and made the choice to seek treatment for sex addiction in 2002.
Two years ago, however, Berry was dubious of Benét’s claims that he was a sex addict. She said that she does not “f-cking believe that sh-t,” referring to Benét’s claims. Berry has since moved on after years of being single and is in a happy relationship with musician Van Hunt.
What Did Gayle King Say About Her Ex-Husband?
King chatted with Alex Cooper recently on an episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, where she detailed how she caught her ex-husband, William Bumpus, defiling their matrimonial bed with one of her friends.
She shared that she did not know about his infidelity but began to suspect after noticing an interaction with the said friend, whom she named Casey for the show.
The popular TV host recalled feeling uneasy when the friend gave her husband a simple compliment with a subtle tone of “intimacy” laced in her words. She brought up her concerns to Bumpus, who shut them down, trying to “gaslight” her about the tension she noticed between him and Casey.
As reported by The Blast, King convinced herself that she was “overreacting” despite having a “visceral reaction” to what she felt she saw between them. Only to come home one day after her flight was canceled or delayed finding Bumpus “flying out of the room in a towel,” telling her she couldn’t enter.
To her utter shock and disappointment, she later caught her friend, who was also married with kids, “cowering behind a door,” wearing one of her expensive towels.
Eric Benét Denied Cheating On The ‘Catwoman’ Star
Berry tied the knot for the second time in her lifetime to the R&B singer in 2001. Their relationship saw its end as quickly as its beginning as they separated in 2003 before finalizing their divorce about two years later. The marriage ended largely due to Benét’s alleged increasing number of infidelities, which he vehemently denied.
The “Sometimes I Cry” vocalist admitted to checking into a 35-day sex addict rehab program at the request of his ex’s mother to try to save their marriage.
“I never did have sexual intercourse with anyone while I was with Halle. Going into rehab was presented to me by her mother that in order for the marriage to have a shot, this is what you need to do,” he said as reported by MadameNoire.
The end of their relationship became emotionally complicated due to the fact that Berry had legally adopted her ex’s daughter, India, during their marriage. Benét welcomed India with Tami Stauff, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 1993 when India was just a toddler.
Inside Halle Berry’s Previous Relationships
Berry dated R&B singer Christopher Williams for a year in 1991. There have been rumors that the musician abused Berry during their relationship, but he strongly denied the claims. The movie star also had an emotional breakup with her “Jungle Fever” co-star, Wesley Snipes, in the same year.
She later revealed that a “well-known” Hollywood actor once hit her so hard that she nearly became deaf in one ear. The actor is rumored to be Snipes, although she never outrightly named him. PEOPLE reported that Berry filed a restraining order against her first husband, David Justice, whom she wed in 1993.
She claimed that she was in “fear for my personal safety and well-being.” Justice, however, denied her version of the incident and accused the actress of “throwing a tantrum.”
Berry gave love another shot with Canadian model, Gabriel Aubry in 2005, and they welcomed a daughter, Nahla. They split five years after saying their vows and got into a messy custody battle over their daughter.
Will Gayle King and Halle Berry motivate other people to tell their stories?