This article references domestic abuse.

There was a time when singer and actress Halle Bailey and YouTuber DDG (Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) were one of young Black Hollywood’s golden couples. Their relationship has since broken down publicly, and in May, Bailey was granted a restraining order against DDG for both herself and their son.

In her court filing, reported by the Associated Press, Halle accused DDG of physical, verbal, and financial abuse throughout their relationship. DDG has yet to directly respond to the allegations, but he has since filed his own restraining order against Halle, seeking to stop her from taking their son to Italy for a work trip. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, he claimed she posed an “imminent emotional and psychological risk” to their child due to what he described as repeated, documented threats of self-harm. The restraining order was denied.

It’s a deeply personal situation, but like many celebrity relationship breakdowns in recent years, it’s playing out in the court of public opinion. Thanks to social media and online platforms, public figures now have tools beyond their lawyers to shape narratives in real-time, sway public opinion, and manage their reputations. And once fanbases are activated, what starts as a private dispute can quickly spiral into something much more vicious, fuelled by online commentary, strategic leaks, and coordinated campaigns of shaming and continued emotional abuse.

Last month, text messages reportedly exchanged between Halle and DDG were leaked, triggering a wave of online speculation. TikTok users have been making fun of her mental health struggles, and one popular content creator, DJ Akademiks, encouraged his legion of fans to “Pray for DDG”, calling Bailey “crazy”.

Adding to the growing feeling of PR push, several female Twitch streamers recently posted videos vouching for DDG’s character, describing him as kind and supportive.

Fans have responded by flooding comment sections, posting videos, and rallying behind DDG. The parasocial relationships that young, impressionable fans form with their favourite celebrities often mean fierce loyalty. Such fans become unofficial defence squads that aggressively push one version of events that favours one party over the other.

The alleged leaking of private, emotionally-charged moments shapes a narrative that paints Bailey as unstable. This taps into harmful, long-standing misogynistic stereotypes: the “hysterical woman,” the “unfit mother,” the “crazy ex.” As a result, many are then quick to dismiss postpartum depression as an excuse instead of what it is – a serious mental health issue, and even quicker to label emotional distress as manipulation.

What should be seen as Halle’s vulnerability and plea for support instead becomes proof of the very stereotypes being used against her.

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