*Djimon Hounsou and Riza Simpson, the mother of two of his children, have reportedly clashed in a serious domestic dispute in Atlanta. The confrontation escalated after Hounsou attempted to evict Simpson from his home, leading to police involvement.
According to The Blast, Hounsou contacted law enforcement in December, alleging that Simpson struck him in the face with a closed fist during the eviction attempt. Police officers visited Hounsou’s Atlanta townhouse last Friday, carrying an arrest warrant for Simpson. She was taken into custody on charges of simple assault and obstruction, the latter for allegedly providing false information to officers during their visit.
Hounsou was previously in a five-year relationship with model Kimora Lee Simmons. The couple shares a son and split in 2020.
Beyond his personal challenges, Hounsou, a two-time Oscar nominee, has revealed that he continues to face financial struggles despite decades in Hollywood. In an interview with CNN Africa, he criticized the industry for systemic racism and expressed frustration at being overlooked in his career. Hounsou also shared that he has been underpaid and studios often offered him lowball deals.
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“I’m still struggling to make a living,” he said, Complex reports. “I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”
Hounsou, known for roles in films like “Gladiator,” “Amistad,” and “A Quiet Place,” also addressed being ignored despite critical acclaim.
“I was nominated for the Golden Globe [for Amistad], but they ignored me for the Oscars, talking about the fact that they thought that I had just came off the boat and off the streets,” he stated. “Even though I successfully did that [film], they just didn’t feel like I was an actor for whom they should pay any respect. This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism don’t change like that anytime soon.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Djimon Hounsou Discusses Hollywood Racism and His Financial Difficulties
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