Djimon Hounsou’s Ex Riza Simpson Busted in Explosive Assault Incident

Djimon Hounsou is facing a personal crisis after his ex-girlfriend, Riza Marie Simpson, was arrested following a domestic dispute, according to court documents obtained by the press.

Simpson was booked into the Atlanta City Detention Center on Friday, January 16, on charges of “battery – family violence,” stemming from an incident in December 2025. Officials say this is her first offense.

The dispute reportedly started over Simpson’s living situation at a property owned by Hounsou. In a police report, the 61-year-old actor claimed Simpson struck him in the face “with a closed fist” while their children were upstairs. Hounsou told authorities that although the kids did not witness the assault directly, they may have heard the altercation.

Police later issued a warrant for Simpson’s arrest. When officers arrived, the situation reportedly became chaotic. Simpson was taken into custody for the battery charge as well as disorderly conduct and obstruction after allegedly giving false information to authorities. The children were present during the arrest, and officers noted they could be heard crying in the background.

Simpson was released after posting a $500 bond but was immediately transferred to Fulton County Jail because of the outstanding warrant. A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, at 9 a.m. local time.

The couple has kept much of their personal life private. Hounsou and Simpson share two children but rarely appear together in public. One of their few outings was in March 2023, when Simpson accompanied Hounsou to the Los Angeles premiere of Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Hounsou, born in Benin and raised in France, has had a remarkable career in Hollywood. He first gained attention in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997) and later earned Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in In America and Blood Diamond. He has appeared in blockbuster films like Gladiator, Furious 7, and major superhero franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe. His recent projects include Rebel Moon on Netflix and A Quiet Place: Day One.

Before Simpson, Hounsou was in a high-profile relationship with Kimora Lee Simmons. The couple dated from 2007 to 2012 and share a son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, who is now 16.

Despite his successful career, Hounsou has spoken openly about the challenges of maintaining recognition and fair pay in Hollywood. As this legal issue unfolds, fans are watching closely to see how it may affect both his personal life and professional work.

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