Teyana Taylor accused her ex-husband, Iman Shumpert, of being a “professional victim” in private messages revealed during their court battle, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by Us, Teyana released the messages where she accused Shumpert of being “bitter” and making efforts to gaslight her days after he asked the court to force her to pay his legal bills in court.
On July 7, Shumpert, 35, asked the court to award him legal fees in his court battle with Taylor, 34.
Taylor and Shumpert both accuse the other of violating the terms of their 2024 divorce judgment.
In his new motion, Shumpert said Taylor has failed to produce or find any evidence to back up her claim that he leaked information about their divorce to the media. He said Taylor demanded documents from “no less than 19 different entertainment news blogs.”
“Neither Taylor nor any of the news blogs has produced any text message, email … or any other communication or correspondence from Shumpert disclosing any of the details from the divorce,” his lawyer wrote. “Taylor has no text messages, emails or other correspondence from Shumpert which disclose information ordered to be sealed.”
Shumpert said the accusations made by Taylor were without “basis, motive, evidence or reason” and made to “harass.” He demanded she be ordered to pay his legal fees for filing a “frivolous” lawsuit.
Around the same time, Taylor filed her own motion for legal fees. She accused her ex of being the one who filed a “frivolous” contempt petition against her with “fabricated claims.”
She denied his recent claims she shouted crude racial insults at him in front of their kids or that she withdrew their children from him.
Taylor’s lawyer said, “[Shumpert], who wants to claim that he is a victim of salacious insults, neglects to inform the Court that while [Taylor] was having a conversation with the minor children, it was [Shumpert] who ripped an iPad from the parties’ oldest child to start a venomous argument with [Taylor] for no apparent reason.”
Taylor said she has tried to coparent but Shumert “for whatever reason … remains mad … for no apparent reason.”
The entertainer also denied Shumpert’s reputation was damaged by any claims she made in court.
Taylor included a series of alleged messages she exchanged with Shumpert as evidence. In one alleged note, dated April 17, Taylor wrote, “Iman, you’re gonna stop disrespecting me. I’m nothing but respectful and graceful. You continue to gaslight me!!!”
She added, “You’re so bitter and clearly can’t seem to get out of your emotions! This is draining!!! You keep throwing stones and hiding your hands! YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL VICTIM. Leave me the hell alone PLEASE!!!!”
Taylor continued, “Enjoy your time with the kids and stop worrying about me! IM BEGGING YOU! WE HAVE NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT BEYOND TRYING TO BE THE BEST PARENTS WE CAN BE.”
Shumpert allegedly replied, “You keep trying to text first and be professional after you crash out. It’s getting tired.”
“I do nothing but have your back when it comes to our children no matter how much of a fool you make of yourself!” Taylor responded.
The court has yet to rule on the matter.
The exes wed in 2016 and split in 2023. Taylor filed for divorce in January 2023. Months later, they agreed to put the case on pause in an attempt at reconciliation.
They were back in court months later after efforts failed. The case dragged on for months, with the parties going back and forth with various allegations.
The divorce was finalized on July 1, 2024, according to Taylor.
Back in March, Taylor was back in court demanding Shumpert be found in contempt for allegedly violating the terms of their divorce judgment.
She believed he leaked court documents about the divorce. Taylor’s petition asked for Shumpert to be thrown in jail and be ordered to be fined. The entertainer later withdrew the request for her ex to be incarcerated but still asked for contempt.
Shumpert denied all allegations of wrongdoing or that he violated the divorce judgment. The ex-NBA star filed his own petition demanding Taylor be found in contempt.
Taylor has “willfully and contemptuously exposed and broadcast specific provisions of the final judgment decree of divorce and related provisions, recklessly disregarding the financial circumstances, privacy, safety and security of the parties and their minor children,” Shumpert’s lawyer argued.
Shumpert said Taylor’s allegations harmed his reputation and caused him to lose income. He also accused her of using “crude and inflammatory racial insults” at him in front of their kids.
“Insulting [Shumpert] in the presence of his children was maliciously intended to damage the relationship between father and child. Denigrating and insulting [Shumpert] in the presence of his children is a … violating of the orders of this court,” his lawyer wrote.
Shumpert asked for Taylor to be thrown in jail for 20 days and hit with a fine. The exes are still going back and forth in court on the matter.
