Tyrese’s Ex-Wife Opens Up About Child Custody Battle & Past Abuse

We’ve been hearing a lot about Tyrese and his ex-wife Norma over the past week or so. In a rare interview, Madame Noire sits down with Norma, who finally breaks her silence about everything that has been going on as of late. She even admits that Tyrese has abused her in the past. 

In the interview Norma says that she is not a flight risk and that Tyrese should not fear that she will take their daughter permanently, “I’m not a flight risk. It was sad for me seeing myself called ‘Satan’ in the press. It really hurt my feelings. I would never take my daughter to live in a different country away from her father. And if I were going to do that, I wouldn’t be asking for her passport.” She further explains that he knew there was never a cause for concern because they had a clause added to their custody agreement that said that neither parent can take the child to another country unless it’s governed by the Hague Foundation. “The Hague Convention protects against child abduction,” she explained. “For me to run off with my daughter to Israel is ludicrous. I wouldn’t even live there. I’m a British citizen. I feel like that wasn’t explained.”

Norma is of Trinidadian and Israeli descent, her mother and grandmother are both in Israel. During the 7 day trip she planned on visiting them, her grandmother who is too old to travel, and observing passover, including going to Temple for prayer. 

Norma says that after 7 years she’s finally speaking out in hopes of inspiring other women who are likely dealing with the same issues. Norma, who represented herself in court against Tyrese’s lawyers, tells Madame Noire, “I will do my best to make it known that emotional violence, verbal abuse and mental abuse is something serious and it happens to many women. A lot of men are using the legal system to control women and to put them in a state of fear. A few of the things that have happened to me that I know have happened to other women is being followed and surveyed. That’s not something fun. It makes you anxious. You know, just provoking you and harassing you with emails. That overwhelms women and it puts you in a fear state.”

Norma finally speaks on abuse during their marriage, telling MN, “Yes, there was [physical and emotional abuse in my marriage]. Definitely. If you have this conversation with many women, they can tell you the exact same thing. Sometimes it’s so covert that you don’t know it’s happening until it’s happening.” As to why she never spoke up, Norma says she feels guilt in not doing so, “I felt so irresponsible at that moment because I wasn’t taking responsibility as a woman and using my voice to perhaps alleviate those blows. It starts with words and then it becomes physical, but the words are what linger. The physical abuse heals quickly, but the emotional keeps coming back because you’re so unsure of yourself.” She says that she also feared that if she spoke up, Tyrese would use his money and power to twist things and make her appear crazy.

You can read the interview in its entirety HERE.