David Justice says he left Halle Berry over cooking, cleaning, motherhood [VIDEO]

Ex-MLB Star Says 1990s Split Came From Clashing Views On Wife’s Role

Nearly three decades after their highly publicized split, former Major League Baseball star David Justice is offering new insight into why he ended his marriage to actress Halle Berry in the mid-1990s. Speaking on the All the Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Justice said he walked away because he couldn’t picture Berry as the mother of his children. Thus, citing traditional expectations for a wife to cook, clean, and be “motherly.” Those were roles he felt she didn’t fulfill.

“She don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem like motherly,” Justice recalled. Therefore, explaining that his mindset at the time was shaped by his Midwest upbringing. “I was asking myself, is this the woman I want to have kids with?”

A Fast-Tracked Celebrity Marriage

Justice and Berry’s whirlwind romance began in 1992 after meeting at an MTV celebrity baseball game. At the time, Justice was a 26-year-old star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves. Meanwhile, Berry was an up-and-coming actress fresh off her breakout role in Boomerang.

Within five months, Berry proposed. Justice said he felt he couldn’t say no despite private reservations. They married in 1993, but by 1996—three years in—he filed for divorce.

The split was Berry’s first marriage to end in divorce (she later married Eric Benét and Olivier Martinez, both of whom she also divorced). For Justice, it was also his first marriage; he has since been married to Rebecca Villalobos since 2001, and they share three children.

Halle Berry’s Career vs. Domestic Expectations

During the marriage, Berry’s Hollywood career was rapidly ascending, with roles in The Flintstones (1994) and other high-profile projects. Justice admitted on the podcast that this clashed with his own vision of a domestic partner.

His comments sparked debate over whether such expectations are outdated, especially for couples with the financial means to hire help. Critics note that even in the 1990s, expecting a global star to take on full-time homemaker duties reflected a traditionalist approach increasingly at odds with modern relationships.

Justice emphasized on All the Smoke that his views have evolved since his mid-20s. “That’s how I thought then,” he said, suggesting he has matured and recognizes the incompatibility for what it was. A mismatch of lifestyles and values.

Addressing Longstanding Abuse Allegations

The couple’s divorce was followed by persistent rumors fueled by a 2002 interview in which Berry said an abusive ex left her partially deaf in one ear. Although Berry did not name Justice, speculation linked the accusation to him.

On the podcast, Justice again denied any abuse. Thus, saying, “I never hit her,” and describing the allegations as “painful” and damaging to his reputation and family. Berry has since clarified that Justice was not the abusive partner, and sources close to her have stated the individual in question was someone else—possibly actor Wesley Snipes, who has denied the claim.

Still, the rumors have lingered for decades, illustrating how ambiguity in high-profile divorces can leave reputations tarnished without proof.

Halle Berry’s Perspective

Berry has been candid about the emotional fallout from her split with Justice. In a 2007 interview, she revealed that she attempted suicide after their breakup, describing herself as feeling like a “failure.”

She has since spoken about what she calls her “three strikes” in marriage, attributing her divorces to poor relationship choices rather than personal inadequacies. Berry, now a mother of two, remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and respected figures, with an Academy Award for Monster’s Ball (2002) and a career spanning decades.

A Clash of Eras and Values

Justice’s comments have reignited debates on gender roles in relationships—especially in the context of celebrity marriages where both partners are independently successful.

In the 1990s, cultural norms often placed domestic expectations on women, even when they were high earners. Justice, raised in the Midwest, described himself as wanting a “traditional” wife. Berry’s life as a rising Hollywood star did not fit that mold, and neither was willing to compromise enough to bridge the gap.

Critics have labeled Justice’s mindset as misogynistic, pointing out that in a relationship where resources abound, expecting domestic labor from a world-famous actress is unreasonable. Supporters counter that personal preferences—traditional or otherwise—are valid if communicated openly and agreed upon.

X Reacts to Justice’s Remarks

The podcast clip quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), generating strong reactions. Analysis of over 30 replies and quotes revealed an overwhelmingly pro-Berry sentiment.

Criticizing Justice’s Views (~70%)

• “He thought Halle Berry was gonna be a housewife? Dodged a bullet.”
• “Men like this want a maid, not a partner.”
• “Bitter ex talking after 30 years. Hire a maid if you’re rich.”

Defending Berry (~20%)

• “She’s Halle freaking Berry, not a Swiffer.”
• “She was in 10 films during their marriage—grace for her career.”
• “Emotional unsound to clip her wings.”

Defending Justice / Neutral (~10%)

• “He said ‘at that time’—he was young, views changed.”
• “Nothing wrong with traditional expectations if that’s what you want.”
• “Watch the full interview for context.”

Humor and Memes

“Pro tip: Never badmouth exes.”

“Married to Halle and complaining about cleaning? Clown.”

The Role of Media in Shaping the Narrative

Justice also addressed how the media “machine” around Berry painted him negatively during their divorce, saying he avoided public disputes to protect his image but paid the price in rumors.

This dynamic—where one partner’s publicist or fame advantage shapes the narrative—is common in celebrity splits. Justice’s career in MLB meant he had visibility, but Berry’s Hollywood platform gave her greater media control at the time.

Final Word

David Justice’s candid reflection on why he ended his marriage to Halle Berry has stirred conversations about the evolution of relationship expectations, the clash between traditional and modern values, and the lasting impact of media narratives on public perception.

For some, his comments serve as a reminder of how far societal views on gender roles have shifted since the 1990s. For others, they’re a cautionary tale about compatibility, communication, and the perils of rushing into marriage.

What’s clear is that Berry and Justice have long since moved on—Berry continuing her storied Hollywood career and Justice enjoying over two decades of marriage with his current wife—but their brief, high-profile union remains a flashpoint in pop culture memory.