In recent reports, singer and actor, Tyrese Gibson has filed to seek primary custody of his 7-year-old daughter Soraya. This decision comes after his ex-wife, Samantha Gibson moved the child roughly 2,500 miles from Georgia to Oregon without his consent.
This story was first reported in Us Weekly and continued in Baller Alert. In these articles Gibson alleges that this relocation breaks their existing custody framework, which was centered on the child living near Atlanta.
Tyrese is therefore asking the court to step in and revise the arrangement in his favor. The filings suggest he believes the move undercuts both his parenting time and Soraya’s day-to-day stability.
The timeline
Back in 2017, the actor and singer married Samantha Lee, and their daughter was born in 2018.
The couple separated in 2020, and the custody and support disputes have continued well beyond the breakup.
Multiple sources including The Source confirmed that Samantha was granted primary custody in 2023.
One detail drawing attention is the timeline and reported by Us Weekly was that Tyrese believes Samantha did not raise the idea of a move during custody conversations in June and July, then relocated just weeks later.
Baller Alert notes a slightly different sequence, saying he claims she informed him in mid-August and moved forward in late October anyway. Either way, the argument is clear. He says he didn’t agree.
A text message included in coverage captures the blunt tone he says he used with her. “No way. No how. I do not agree.” It’s a short and direct response. As Baller Alert put it, he also argued the move would pull Soraya away from her support system, including time with her older sister Shayla in Georgia.
Samantha’s response has been just as pointed. Her filing, dated Nov. 6 in the reports, includes a counterclaim alleging contempt and a sharper attack on his day-to-day role as a parent.
The coverage by Baller Alert mentioned that she accused him of neglecting responsibilities and leaning heavily on a nanny during his parenting time.
In her view, Oregon also was not a random destination. Baller Alert reported that she suggested the move could actually make visitation easier since Oregon is closer to his California base, and that she proposed a plan that would give him longer stretches of uninterrupted time with Soraya.
Gibson’s previous custody battle
Some may remember that this is not Gibson’s first public custody fight. He previously battled over custody of his older daughter, Shayla, years ago, and those experiences may be shaping how intensely he is reacting to any hint of losing access to Soraya.
Still, the heart of this case is not about headlines, it’s about a child starting school, making friends, and building a routine while two parents argue over where home should be. A cross-country move is huge.
Whatever the judge decides next, this dispute is a sobering example of how quickly a private parenting conflict can become public entertainment, especially when the people involved are celebrities.