Hypnotism or love? How Stacey Dash and Jeffrey Marty's marriage story went from happily ever after to annulment
Most would remember Stacey Dash as Dionne, Cher’s (Alicia Silverstone) best friend in ‘Clueless’. She was in the news in April this year when she announced her split from her husband and lawyer Jeffrey Marty. In her Instagram post she said: "Hello Everyone, My husband and I have made the hard decision of ending our marriage. After much prayer, I feel this is the right path for both of us. I wish him nothing but the best. Thank you everyone for your support and respecting our privacy during this difficult time." She filed for divorce in June 2020.
In September 2019, People magazine reported that Dash was arrested by Florida police in an alleged domestic violence incident. Pasco County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that there was a physical dispute between Dash and Marty. People further quoted a statement which said, "No charges were pressed by her husband. However, Deputies arrested Ms Dash peacefully, as a formality. Ms Dash’s husband appeared in court today, September 30th, on her behalf and Ms Dash was released from the Land O’ Lakes detention facility. No further legal action is pending."
However, the relationship has come into focus once again due to fresh accusations by Marty. According to the latest report by TMZ, Marty has filed new court documents as he wants their marriage to be annulled and Dash has not opposed this. According to TMZ, Marty stated that he married Dash because her pastor created religious pressure on him and used "hypnotic prayer techniques".
The couple married in April 2018. According to the report, Marty claimed that 10 days prior to their wedding, her pastor “unexpectedly and suddenly proclaimed that it was God's will” they get hitched. Marty further alleged that his ability to agree to the marriage was influenced by the use of "hypnotic prayer techniques", according to the report. However, no further details were provided. Marty added that there was pressure from other clergies as well. The TMZ report claims that even though Dash and her lawyers don’t agree with Marty’s claims about hypnotism, they said that he did not show any unusual mental health signs earlier, and they also want the marriage annulled.
A look at their relationship
According to People magazine, Marty was in the spotlight as the brain behind the Twitter account for fake politician Rep Steven Smith of Georgia — the first "congressman" to endorse Donald Trump. He has also been a vocal advocate for the president on the micro-blogging site. The couple got married in a hush-hush ceremony on April 6, 2018, in Florida. This was just a few days after she withdrew her campaign for Congress in California, according to Page Six.
Sources told Page Six that the duo got hitched within 10 days of meeting each other. However, the report states that Dash’s manager Kerry Jones wasn’t able to answer about how or when the couple met or about the secrecy surrounding the wedding. According to the 2018 Page Six report, the actress had volunteered to run in California's 44th congressional district as she wanted to "free people from the shackles of a plantation mentality". But later dropped out stating, "the overall bitterness surrounding our political process", according to the report.
A 2016 BuzzFeed News profile states that Marty has three children with his ex-wife. They stay close to his home outside of Tampa, Florida. Marty was Dash’s fourth husband. In the past, she has been married to producer Brian Lovell, British executive James Maby and actor Emmanuel Xuereb.