Halle Bailey and DDG, whose legal name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., were one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples from early 2022 until their breakup in October 2024. Their relationship evolved from a private romance to a very public legal battle over custody of their son, Halo, culminating in a temporary custody agreement reached in October 2025. This article traces their complete journey from their first meeting to their current co-parenting arrangement.
How Halle Bailey and DDG First Met and Fell in Love
The couple first sparked dating rumors in January 2022 after they were spotted together at Usher’s “My Way” residency in Las Vegas . However, DDG made their relationship public first when he posted a birthday tribute to Bailey in March of that year, writing, “Happy Birthday to the beautifulest, the flyest, the sweetest. Love you forever” . The post was later deleted, but it marked the official beginning of their public romance.
In June 2022, Halle Bailey and DDG made their red carpet debut at the BET Awards. Bailey told Extra at the event, “I have my boo with me today,” confirming their relationship status . The couple coordinated their outfits in all black and appeared visibly excited to support Bailey’s sister, Chloë, who was performing at the ceremony.
The “Little Mermaid” star later opened up about how she and DDG fell in love during an interview with Essence magazine. Bailey explained that she grew up watching young Black creators on YouTube and was inspired by them, with DDG being one of those creators . She admitted she had forgotten about him for a while but later gravitated toward his music. “Coincidentally he messaged me, and the rest is history,” she revealed . When asked if she was in love, Bailey confirmed, “Yes. For sure I am” .
Major Milestones and Public Appearances Throughout 2022
Following their red carpet debut, Halle Bailey and DDG continued to make public appearances together and support each other’s careers. In August 2022, Bailey starred in DDG’s music video for “If I Want You,” showcasing their creative collaboration . That same month, they attended Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood Event in Los Angeles together .
In October 2022, DDG expressed his pride in Bailey’s leading role as Ariel in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid.” He told PEOPLE magazine, “I’m very proud of her. And I’m just happy to see it. I feel like sometimes I’m even more excited than anybody else” . The couple also attended the 5th annual Wearable Art Gala that month and accompanied each other to the premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in December .
By March 2023, the pair had reached another milestone when they attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party together, solidifying their status as a Hollywood power couple . Their relationship appeared strong, and Bailey continued to speak openly about the depth of her feelings.
Halle Bailey Speaks About Love and Motherhood in 2023
In April 2023, Bailey gave a revealing interview to British Vogue where she confessed that falling in love had transformed her creatively. She described her relationship with DDG as her “first deep, deep, real love” and said experiencing it had opened a whole new world for her creatively . “What it feels like to love someone other than your family, like somebody you may not have known two years ago but now they’re the center of your world,” she explained .
However, Bailey also acknowledged the challenges of navigating a private relationship while her star was rising. She told British Vogue that sometimes she wished she did not have so many eyes on her, especially while experiencing this type of love for the first time . The actress was navigating the intense publicity surrounding “The Little Mermaid” while trying to protect her personal life.
In December 2023, Halle Bailey gave birth to their son, Halo, though she kept the pregnancy entirely private. She announced the birth in January 2024 on Instagram, writing, “Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son” . Bailey later explained in a Snapchat video that she wanted to ensure she had a “beautiful, private, healthy time” during her pregnancy .
DDG’s Controversial Song and Relationship Tension in 2023
Despite their seemingly strong bond, cracks began to appear in July 2023 when DDG released a song titled “Famous” that appeared to address his insecurities about Bailey’s on-screen romantic scenes. The lyrics included references to Bailey kissing co-star Jonah Hauer-King in “The Little Mermaid,” with DDG rapping, “Filmin’ a movie now you kissing dudes / You know I love you a lot / I don’t give a fuck if that shit for promo” . The song sparked considerable backlash, with many criticizing DDG for airing his relationship insecurities publicly.
Earlier that year, in February, another controversy emerged when DDG’s ex-girlfriend Rubi Rose tweeted about seeing her ex’s new girlfriend wearing her old clothes. Though she did not name anyone directly, fans quickly connected the tweet to Bailey, who had been seen wearing a similar shirt . DDG briefly unfollowed Bailey and tweeted, “All these girls the same, ain’t no way,” but later clarified that no cheating had occurred . The couple appeared to move past the incident.
The Birth of Son Halo and Family Life in Early 2024
Following Halo’s birth in December 2023, Halle Bailey and DDG appeared to be adjusting well to parenthood. In March 2024, they took a family trip to St. Lucia to celebrate Bailey’s 24th birthday. The singer shared photos on Instagram showing the family enjoying a mud bath, jet skiing, and tropical vistas . Bailey captioned one post, “Thank you so much st lucia for being so kind to my family. We love you forever and ever” .
Bailey described motherhood as her “biggest blessing” and credited her close-knit support system, including her sister Chloë, for helping raise Halo. She embraced the philosophy that “it takes a village to raise a child” and appeared to be thriving in her role as a new mother. The couple seemed committed to co-parenting and maintaining a strong family unit despite any challenges they faced.
DDG Announces the Breakup in October 2024
On October 3, 2024, DDG announced on his Instagram Story that he and Halle Bailey had decided to go their separate ways. His statement read, “This decision was not easy, but we believe it’s the best path forward for both of us. I cherish the time we’ve spent together and the love we’ve shared” . Despite the breakup, DDG emphasized that they remained close, writing, “We are still best friends and adore each other” .
The rapper also stressed their commitment to co-parenting Halo, stating they would support each other in their individual journeys and roles as parents. The announcement initially seemed amicable, with both parties appearing to prioritize their son’s wellbeing. However, the months that followed revealed significant tensions and legal disputes between the former couple.
Halle Bailey Files for a Restraining Order in May 2025
In May 2025, Halle Bailey was granted a temporary restraining order against DDG, alleging physical, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse throughout their relationship . A Los Angeles judge ordered DDG, whose legal name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., to stay away from Bailey and their 17-month-old son, Halo, until a June 6 hearing .
In court documents, Bailey stated, “Throughout our relationship, Daryl has been and continues to be physically, verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive towards me. I am seeking orders to protect myself and our son Halo from his ongoing abuse” . She detailed a January 2025 incident where DDG allegedly called her a “bitch” as she tried to strap Halo into his car seat, leading to a physical altercation where he pulled her hair and slammed her face on the steering wheel, chipping her tooth .
Bailey provided photos of her chipped tooth and bruises as evidence . She also described a March incident where DDG allegedly entered her home while she was away, texted a threatening photo of her bed, and destroyed her Ring camera during a subsequent confrontation . The judge ordered DDG not to possess any weapons, and the restraining order remained in effect until the hearing .
DDG Files His Own Restraining Order in June 2025
DDG responded to Bailey’s allegations by filing his own request for a domestic violence restraining order in June 2025. He sought an emergency hearing to prevent Bailey from traveling internationally with Halo to Italy, arguing that the trip would remove the child from court protections and emergency intervention mechanisms . The rapper alleged that Bailey posed an “imminent emotional and psychological risk to the minor child based on repeated, documented threats of self-harm” .
In his filing, DDG claimed that during their relationship, Bailey “routinely used emotional coercion and manipulation” and threatened self-harm or ending her life to exert control over him . He also alleged that when Bailey was pregnant in 2023, she threatened to have an abortion if they did not reconcile and once threatened to end her life using his legally owned firearm . A judge ultimately denied DDG’s request to restrict Bailey’s international travel, and the court ordered both parents not to post photos or information about Halo online .
The Temporary Custody Agreement Reached in October 2025
After months of legal back-and-forth, Halle Bailey and DDG reached a temporary custody agreement for their son, Halo, in October 2025. The stipulation, signed by both parties and filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, marked a significant step toward resolving their dispute . Both parents agreed to drop their mutual restraining order requests, though they reserved the right to refile in the event of future incidents .
Under the agreement, Halle Bailey will have primary physical custody of Halo, while DDG will have custody on Wednesdays and certain weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. . The arrangement also includes a shared holiday schedule, beginning with Halloween, ensuring both parents can spend time with their son during major events and holidays . The temporary custody order provided structure and clarity for the former couple moving forward.
The court documents also included a non-disparagement clause preventing either parent from speaking negatively about the other in public or in front of their son . Additionally, the judge ordered that neither parent could post photographs, images, or information about Halo on social media, extending the restriction to friends and family members as well . This addressed previous conflicts over DDG bringing Halo on a livestream with Kai Cenat in November 2024, which had upset Bailey .
Moving Forward as Co-Parents After the Legal Disputes
Following the custody agreement, both Halle Bailey and DDG appeared focused on co-parenting peacefully and prioritizing their son’s wellbeing. DDG released an emotional song titled “17 More Years” in October 2025, where he praised Bailey’s parenting and expressed his wish to end their conflicts . The gesture suggested a willingness to move forward amicably despite the contentious legal battles.
Bailey continued to embrace motherhood, describing Halo as her “biggest blessing” and relying on her support system, including her sister Chloë, to help raise him. She has credited her close-knit crew and embraced the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child. Both parents have reserved the right to refile restraining order requests if future incidents occur, but the October 2025 agreement represented a significant step toward stability for their family.
The journey of DDG and Halle Bailey from a romantic couple to co-parents has been marked by both joyful milestones and painful legal disputes. Their experience highlights the complexities of navigating relationships, parenthood, and public scrutiny in the entertainment industry. As of 2026, both are focused on their individual careers and their shared responsibility of raising their son, Halo.1. When did Halle Bailey and DDG start dating and when did they break up?
The couple began their relationship in early 2022 after being spotted together at Usher’s Las Vegas residency and made their red carpet debut at the BET Awards that June . DDG announced their separation in October 2024 via an Instagram statement, describing it as the “best path forward” while emphasizing they remained dedicated co-parents .
2. What custody agreement did Halle Bailey and DDG reach for their son, Halo?
In October 2025, the former couple signed a temporary custody stipulation in Los Angeles County Superior Court . The agreement grants Halle Bailey primary physical custody, while DDG has custody on Wednesdays and select weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus a shared holiday schedule beginning with Halloween .
3. Why did Halle Bailey file a restraining order against DDG?
In May 2025, Bailey was granted a temporary restraining order alleging DDG had been “physically, verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive” throughout their relationship and after their breakup . She detailed a January 2025 incident where he allegedly pulled her hair and slammed her face on a steering wheel, chipping her tooth, and provided photos of her injuries as evidence .
4. Did DDG also file a restraining order against Halle Bailey?
Yes. In June 2025, DDG filed his own domestic violence restraining order request, alleging Bailey posed an “imminent emotional and psychological risk” to their son based on “repeated, documented threats of self-harm” . He also sought to prevent her from traveling internationally with Halo to Italy, though a judge denied that request . Both parties ultimately dropped their restraining order requests as part of the October 2025 custody agreement .
5. What restrictions were placed on DDG and Halle Bailey regarding social media?
As part of the court orders, neither parent is permitted to post photographs, images, or information about their son Halo on social media platforms . This restriction also extends to friends and family members. Additionally, the custody agreement includes a non-disparagement clause preventing either parent from speaking negatively about the other publicly or in front of their child .
