Eva Marcille Opens Up After Filing For Divorce, While Estranged Husband Says He Plans to ‘Win her Back’

Eva Marcille and Michael Sterling are headed for divorce after marrying in 2018.

America’s Next Top Model alum filed for divorce from the lawyer citing their marriage was “irretrievably broken.” The two were serious lovebirds on The Real Housewives of Atlanta; in addition, she gushed about her partner on season two of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

In a statement, Marcille said, “this has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but sometimes life takes your journey in a direction you were not expecting,” Marcille tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Our children remain our biggest priority, and the eight and half years we have spent together will always be cherished. We ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

The former couple shares three children: son 4-year-old Michael Sterling, Jr., whom they welcomed in 2018, and Maverick Sterling, 3. Sterling is also a father figure to Marcille’s daughter Marley Rae from her previous relationship with ex, Kevin McCall.

The All the Queen’s Men actress seeks legal and primary custody of their children and wants child support and “care and maintenance” with medical costs from Sterling.

The breakup is the third devastating Bravo-verse breakup to come this year. The biggest news is Vanderpump Rules Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix calling it quits following his 7-month-long affair with castmate Raquel Leviss.

Following the news, The Real Housewives of Atlanta Drew Sidora and her estranged husband Ralph Pittman raced to the court to file for divorce; however, the singer was one hour early to beat Pittman filing the divorce papers accusing Pittman’s “repeated adultery.”

Sterling has released a statement exclusively to The Jasmine Brand, “I am not going to lose my wife. I am going to fight for her with every fiber in my being. I love her and I plan to show her how much I love her and that our love is strong enough to get to the other side. I am not going to lose my wife. I am going to win her back.”