Tyrese Demands Primary Custody of His Daughter

R&B singer Tyrese is demanding primary custody of his six year old daughter, from his second marriage, after his ex-wife, Samantha Lee, moves out of Georgia..

From Us Weekly

Tyrese Gibson accused ex-wife Samantha Gibson of moving their 7-year-old daughter 2,500 miles away from him, despite his objections, and is now demanding primary custody, Us Weekly can exclusively report.

On October 3, Tyrese, 46, filed court documents asking the court to step in after Samantha and their daughter, Soraya, born in 2018, moved from Georgia to Oregon.

The actor said Samantha emailed him on August 13, telling him she wished to move to Oregon with Soraya.

In the alleged letter, attached as an exhibit, Samantha told Tyrese, “I’ve spent a lot of time in prayer, fasting, and careful consideration, and after much wrestling with the decision, I truly believe God is leading me to move out of state to the West Coast — specifically … Oregon.”

The letter continued, “This isn’t a decision I take lightly, and my intention is to be as transparent and collaborative as possible. My lease is up in September, and I’m planning for a late October move.” Samantha said she had already looked into different schools.

Samantha allegedly added, “I want to be very clear that I have no desire to interfere with Soraya’s relationship with her father. In fact, I want to propose a plan that I believe gives Tyrese more uninterrupted, quality time with her than in recent years, while also respecting her education and stability during the school year.”

She noted that Oregon was closer to Los Angeles, where Tyrese also owns a home, and that this move “could make travel easier and more convenient for extended visits.”

In his motion, Tyrese said Samantha made no mention of the move in June or July when they were working out a new child support agreement, before moving five weeks after their deal.

Tyrese texted Samantha on September 5, opposing her request to move.

“No, Samantha. No way. No how. I do not agree,” he wrote. “The [previous agreement] we made regarding school selection was never tied to any out-of-state relocation for Soraya. It was specific to Atlanta and the surrounding areas, where I could still be an active and present father. Any attempt to twist that into consent for a cross-country move is manipulative, baseless, and directly against Georgia law.”

Tyrese explained that Soraya should live in Atlanta, where he and his older daughter, Shayla, from a previous relationship, live.

His letter read, “Now, more than ever, Soraya needs family stability — not more chaos. Shayla is graduating from high school this year and has chosen to attend college here in Atlanta. As her father, I am overjoyed knowing both of my daughters will now be in the same city.”

The actor continued, “The excitement of Shayla being able to spend more time with her baby sister, and Soraya having her big sister close by, means everything to me as a father. And you are not going to take that away from me — or from Soraya’s big sister, Shayla.”

“And I need to remind you of this: my father just passed away nine days ago. My mother died three years ago on Valentine’s Day, as you already know. The never-ending trauma I live with daily has been unbearable at times. But the one place I find joy, levity, beauty, and magic in this world is in my relationship with Soraya. That bond is sacred,” Tyrese wrote.

The actor continued, “It’s the anchor that brings me back to life when so much has been stripped away. That is something no broken man, no grieving son, and no devoted father should ever be robbed of.”

“If God is leading you to Portland, then He is leading you — not Soraya. You are free to go, but our daughter will remain in Atlanta, where her life, her stability, her sister, and her father are,” Tyrese added.

He ended, “If you wish to relocate personally, that is your right — but Soraya will remain here in Atlanta where she belongs. So hear me again: Soraya stays in Atlanta. End of discussion.” In his filing, Tyrese also claimed Samantha did not have family or friends in Oregon.

Per court documents, the Fast & Furious actor had been ordered to pay $10,000 per month in child support in 2022, based on his then-income of $275,000 per month. In late 2024, Tyrese’s lawyer said the entertainer’s monthly income had decreased.

Per the new deal, Tyrese will pay Samantha $5,500 per month. The order listed Tyrese as earning $39,000 per month in income, plus another $111,000 in distributions for a grand total of $150,000.