Denise Richards broke her silence about her ongoing divorce from Aaron Phypers in a candid Instagram video posted Thursday.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum opened up about the difficult split more than two months after Phypers filed for divorce.
“I was just checking in to see how your summer’s been going. Mine’s been wonderful. It’s actually been s—–, but I’m going to pretend like it’s all good. I’ve actually been posting on Instagram like nothing is going on in my life, and I can’t do that anymore because there’s something obviously going on.”
Richards Thanks Fans for Support
The 54-year-old actress thanked her followers for their messages during this challenging time.
“I see all of your messages, I can’t comment because it’ll be taken out and put in the press, but I just wanted to, in all seriousness, say that this has been a very, very, very difficult time. It’s so hard to go through a divorce.”
Richards referenced her previous marriage to Charlie Sheen, which ended in 2006.
“Many of you have gone through that. This isn’t my first one – this is my second one. I never thought I’d get divorced again. This is why I always say never say never.”
She hinted at complicated circumstances surrounding the divorce that she’s not ready to discuss publicly.
“There are circumstances around my divorce that are difficult to talk about – which one day I will talk about it when the timing is right.”
Surgery and Living Her Life
Richards also addressed her recent reconstructive surgery, which became public knowledge.
“During this time, some of you may know because it was put out there that I was having reconstructive surgery. I was open and honest about having reconstructive surgery for a TV show that I did. And then I had another surgery and I do want to post about that but I didn’t want to post about it during this and look inappropriate and have it seem insensitive to what I’m dealing with, but I also want to live my life and share my life, so that’s what I’m going to do and continue doing.”
The Denise Richards & Her Wild Things star concluded her message by thanking fans again.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much. It makes me want to cry seeing your messages because this is a very difficult time and you guys are all helping me through it. Thank you. Lots of love.”
Ongoing Legal Battle
Since Phypers filed for divorce last month, the former couple have made numerous allegations against each other.
Richards accused Phypers of physical abuse shortly after the filing. She was granted a temporary restraining order against him. Phypers denied the allegations, calling them “completely false and deeply hurtful” in a statement to PEOPLE.
Richards later accused her ex of violating the restraining order and requested he return her laptop. She also wanted him prohibited from sharing information from it.
Phypers made his own accusations. He claimed Richards cheated on him earlier this year and alleged she hit him, scratched him and destroyed his phone.
In a letter obtained by Page Six, Phypers alleged Richards has a Vicodin addiction and needs an intervention.
“Some of you know this has been an issue for over 20 years. She’s no longer eating real meals, and I’ve witnessed her pass out from substances – putting herself and others in danger, including while driving with our daughter.”
He was referring to 14-year-old Eloise, Richards’ adopted daughter.
Richards’ divorce attorney Brett Berman denied these allegations and accused Phypers of harassment.
“In addition to the repeated abuse perpetrated by Mr. Phypers against Ms. Richards throughout the parties’ marriage, Mr. Phypers has continued to harass Ms. Richards since being served with the Temporary Restraining Order by, among other things, disseminating private information from Ms. Richards’ cell phone and laptop, which he stole. These actions continue to disturb Ms. Richards’ peace.”
Phypers responded by referencing Richards’ infamous upside-down jacket moment from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“Unfortunately, it seems Denise is experiencing another one of her now-infamous ‘upside-down jacket’ moments – and her well-paid handlers appear determined to spin it upright, no matter the cost or collateral damage. We genuinely hope she receives the help and support she clearly needs.”
Property and Custody Disputes
Recent court filings show new disputes between the former couple.
Richards requested the court order Phypers and his family to leave her Calabasas property. He currently lives there with his parents and brother.
“I left many of my personal items and my late mother’s items at the house based on Aaron telling me that his family would be moving back to Canada and we would be moving back into the [property]. If I am not able to [retrieve] my dogs and belongings, I believe my dogs will be harmed and my property destroyed or discarded during the eviction process.”
She also alleged that Phypers and his family damaged the home, leaving it “in a state of disarray.”
A source close to Phypers called the filing an attempt “to divert attention away from her adulterous affair.”
In separate court documents, Phypers claimed Richards had him sign adoption papers for Eloise but never filed them. This has left him “legally without his daughter despite raising her as his own” since the divorce filing.
The couple married in 2018 after Richards’ high-profile divorce from Sheen.
