'RHOBH' alum Denise Richards claims media chose sides with their 'mudslinging' during her split from Charlie Sheen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Denise Richards has shared facts regarding her marriage and divorce from Charlie Sheen. While speaking with Nick Viall on her podcast 'The Viall Files', the former 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star talked about how media played their part during her split from the 'Two and a Half Men' alum.
Denise recalled during the podcast how difficult it was for her to petition for divorce while expecting her second child with Charlie. She stated that she "had to go through" everything on her own for the sake of her children because their father provided very little assistance.
Charlie married the 'Wild Things' star in 2002, after dating for two years. Charlie's life took a turn for the worse as he struggled with alcohol and drug addiction.
Denise went on to file for divorce in 2005 while pregnant with Lola, and she also sought a restraining order against him after saying he had made death threats against her. The couple split a year later.
Denise remembered that she was six months pregnant when she filed for divorce from Charlie, which she believes might have been postponed until after her second daughter was born. Denise was "vulnerable" at the time, which drew unnecessary attention to her divorce.
When co-host Natalie Joy questioned Denise about whether she believed the media or Hollywood chose sides during their breakup, she said she couldn't help but agree. She stated, "In the beginning, it was me, they felt bad, and then it flipped for him, and I understand. He was at the time on the biggest TV show."
Denise admits that it was tough for her as a woman, especially trying to keep things private while caring for the children, "but when you have mudslinging and all this s**t and c**p in the press, it's very, very difficult."
When Nick and Natalie received a call during 'Texting Office Hours' from a caller who took her husband's name when they married but later regretted it, Denise chimed in. "In my family, we have three different last names," she said.
Denise then stated that she didn't take on her husband Aaron Phyper's surname after marriage, but had done so when she married Charlie. She described the legal procedure as a "pain in the a**" since it required her to amend every single document and then change it all back.
Denise Richards had to 'drop the kids off' at Charlie Sheen's gate after divorce
Denise previously discussed how she handled her divorce from Charlie in the presence of their children. On an episode of 'Just B with Bethenny Frankel', the actress stated that after her divorce from Charlie, Denise was told to leave her children at the gate while dropping them off at their father's.
"So in the beginning with Charlie and I, and I'm sure he'll be fine that I'm talking about this, and I'm sure he'll probably say it too, we were not getting along at all," she added.
"And it was harder when he was with his other ex. When they got together, it was very difficult. I wasn't allowed to go up to the house."
"I had to drop the kids off at the gate and have someone drive them through the gate to the house, which was very difficult for the kids because then they feel insecure. 'How come mom can't come to the house?'"
Denise Richards made Charlie Sheen 'change his tune' about daughter's NSFW work
Denise revealed more about how she and her ex, Charlie, came to support their daughter's OnlyFans initiative last year. Sami stated on Instagram shortly after turning 18 in March that she had opened an OnlyFans account.
At the time, the choice sparked a quarrel between her parents, who openly disagreed on the move. On the one hand, Denise looked to be fully supporting her daughter.
In contrast, Charlie was quick to express his worries, telling Page Six that he did not "condone" his daughter's decision to utilize the platform and advised her to "keep it classy."
Charlie then reversed his original stance, acknowledging in a statement posted with E! News that Denise "illuminated a variety of salient points, that in my haste, I overlooked and dismissed."
“Now more than ever, it's essential that Sami have a united parental front to rely upon, as she embarks on this new adventure. From this moment forward, she'll have it abundantly,” he added.
Exes Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards are now on good terms
Charlie and Denise remain on excellent terms, nearly 18 years after their contentious divorce. "We're absolutely friendly," Charlie told People in an interview last year.
"We went through so much s–t together that I don’t think either one of us has any energy left to be divisive," he said.
The 'Two and a Half Men' star revealed that they are prioritizing their two children, Sami and Lola.
“The only thing that matters is the kids,” Charlie added. “We knew we had to park our nonsense and focus on the children, because they had nothing to do with any of our crud.”
Even during 'The Viall Files' podcast, Denise stated that as time passed, the duo were able to find common ground and even turn to humor to get along.