In the world of celebrity relationships, high-profile separations often lead to intense court battles, with public attention focusing not only on custody but also on financial settlements. While most people associate spousal and child support with men paying women, several prominent cases have flipped the narrative—where female celebrities are required to pay ongoing support to their male ex-partners.
These rulings, often the result of divorce settlements or legal agreements, have sparked discussions about gender roles, equality in family law, and the true cost of fame. Below are seven well-documented cases where famous women were ordered to make substantial payments to their former partners, covering both child support and spousal maintenance.
1. Kelly Clarkson – Multi-Million Dollar Divorce Settlement
Grammy-winning singer Kelly Clarkson finalized her divorce on March 1, 2022, after a prolonged legal battle with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. As part of the settlement, Clarkson agreed to a one-time payment of USD 1.3 million and monthly child support of USD 45,601 for their two children.
The agreement also clearly outlined day-to-day child care responsibilities and how major expenses such as schooling and medical costs would be shared. This case became a trending topic worldwide, highlighting how even the highest-earning women can face significant post-divorce financial obligations.
2. Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella) – Child Support and Lump Sum Payments
Retired WWE star Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, finalized her separation from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev in early 2025. The settlement requires Garcia to pay USD 3,500 per month in child support for their son, plus two lump sum payments of USD 100,000 each.
In addition to financial support, the agreement addresses shared responsibilities for medical expenses and includes a strict payment schedule. Garcia’s case reignited conversations about high-earning mothers in sports and entertainment footing the bill after separations.
3. Halle Berry – Long-Term Child Support Commitment
In one of Hollywood’s most publicized cases, Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry was ordered by a Los Angeles court in 2014 to pay USD 16,000 a month to her ex-partner Gabriel Aubry for the care of their daughter. Payments were set to continue until the child turned 19 or graduated high school.
The arrangement also included provisions for shared custody, visitation schedules, and contributions to education-related expenses. Berry’s case is often cited as a landmark in discussions about celebrity child support agreements.
4. Melanie Brown (Mel B) – Divorce and Spousal Support Battle
Former Spice Girl Mel B entered into a high-profile divorce settlement with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, which included ongoing child support payments and spousal maintenance.
Court documents detailed how expenses would be shared and how the financial arrangement would remain in place while other legal matters were settled. This case shed light on the complexities of divorce proceedings involving large incomes and international assets.
5. Britney Spears – Decade-Long Payments to Kevin Federline
Pop icon Britney Spears divorced Kevin Federline in 2007 and was ordered to make substantial monthly payments for their two sons. Over the years, the amounts were revised multiple times as the children grew older and financial circumstances changed.
Spears’ case remains one of the longest-running examples of a high-profile female celebrity supporting an ex-partner financially.
6. Sherri Shepherd – Surrogacy and Child Support Dispute
American actress and TV host Sherri Shepherd became involved in a legal battle over a child born via surrogate, resulting in a court order to pay monthly support to ex-husband Lamar Sally.
The court ruling included a structured payment schedule, with adjustments based on the child’s age and needs. This case is unique in that it involved a surrogate birth, adding complexity to the legal arguments.
7. Anne Heche – Post-Divorce Child Support Adjustments
Late actress Anne Heche reached a settlement with ex-husband Coley Laffoon, agreeing to monthly child support and contributions toward school tuition. Over time, the courts adjusted the amounts based on changing financial circumstances.
Heche’s case highlighted how post-divorce agreements can evolve over the years, especially when one party’s income fluctuates.
The Bigger Picture: Gender Equality in Divorce Settlements
These high-profile cases challenge traditional assumptions about who pays spousal or child support. They demonstrate that in the eyes of the law, income levels—not gender—are the primary factor in determining financial obligations after separation.
As more women achieve top-earning status in entertainment, sports, and business, similar cases are likely to increase, reshaping societal expectations and legal precedents.
