Hollywood Exes and Reality Stars Dragged into Denise Richards’ Bitter Divorce Battle
Los Angeles, CA – The already contentious divorce proceedings between actress Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, are escalating dramatically, with a bombshell witness list filed by Phypers’ attorney. Among those potentially slated to testify are Richards’ former husband, actor Charlie Sheen, 60, and her former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” co-star, Brandi Glanville, 52.
The filing, submitted on Monday, September 29, by Phypers’ legal team and obtained by PEOPLE, specifically names Sheen and Glanville as individuals who may be called to the stand for a hearing scheduled from October 6 to October 8. The stated subject of their highly anticipated testimonies is “Denise’s history of not being truthful and of drug and alcohol abuse” – a direct challenge to Richards’ credibility and character.
This development comes over two months after Phypers, 51, first initiated divorce proceedings against Richards, 54, on July 7, citing “irreconcilable differences” and listing their date of separation as July 4. The pair, who wed in 2018, have been embroiled in a series of escalating allegations since their split.
A Volatile History Unfolds
The inclusion of Charlie Sheen, who was married to Richards from 2002 to 2006 and shares daughters Sami, 21, and Lola, 20, adds another layer of complexity. While Richards and Sheen have recently appeared to be on amicable terms, even posing together at a Netflix documentary premiere earlier this month, their past relationship was notoriously tumultuous. Phypers himself alluded to this history earlier in the divorce, claiming Richards was attempting to “humiliate me again, just as she did with her first ex, Charlie Sheen, six years ago today,” and quoting Sheen’s past remarks about Richards’ legal tactics: “D and her legal posse only deal in fiction.”
Brandi Glanville’s potential testimony also draws from a highly publicized past. Both Glanville and Richards were cast members on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” In 2020, Glanville publicly alleged she had an affair with Richards, a claim Richards vehemently denied. Glanville’s perspective on Richards’ “truthfulness” could be a pivotal point in Phypers’ case.
Allegations and Denials Mount
The divorce has been marked by a flurry of serious accusations from both sides. Phypers previously claimed to TMZ that Richards had been unfaithful, alleging she cheated on him with another man. In stark contrast, Richards accused Phypers of domestic violence, leading to a temporary restraining order being granted against him. Phypers, in turn, denied these abuse allegations, calling them “completely false and deeply hurtful” in a statement to PEOPLE.
Further complicating matters, Richards later accused Phypers of violating the temporary restraining order and demanded the return of her laptop, prohibiting him from disseminating its contents. Phypers has disputed any claims of theft. Beyond Sheen and Glanville, Phypers’ witness list also includes three of his family members, Richards’ father, and Richards herself, who will be questioned regarding her accusations against her estranged husband.
As the hearing approaches, the legal battle between Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers is shaping up to be a dramatic showdown, pulling in figures from Hollywood and reality television pasts to weigh in on deeply personal and contested matters. PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Sheen and Glanville for comment on their potential involvement.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, with services available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
