According to RadarOnline.com, actress Denise Richards stated in an interview on Bunny Ho’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, turned into an entirely different person following their wedding. Richards opened up about their divorce and detailed allegations of physical, emotional, verbal, and financial abuse during the appearance.
Marriage and Divorce Proceedings
Richards and Phypers married in a September 2018 ceremony in Malibu, California, after dating for less than a year. According to Richards, the couple was together for slightly more than eight years total, with their marriage lasting just over six years before a separation. Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, 2025, noting in court documents that the pair separated three days prior on July 4. In his filing, Phypers requested spousal support, attorney’s fees, and various personal belongings, as reported by RadarOnline.com.
“I was obviously in an abusive marriage. In the beginning, it wasn’t physical… It was everything, physical, emotional, financial,” Richards stated during the podcast, adding that Phypers was completely unlike the man she married. When asked if she felt deceived, Richards answered affirmatively, calling it the hardest part of the experience.
Alleged Shift After the Wedding
Before entering a relationship, Richards and Phypers were friends. The Wild Things star recalled that Phypers initially appeared to be a decent, caring man and a genuine “guy’s guy.” However, Richards stated that the dynamic shifted after Phypers, who was born in Canada, obtained a green card following their wedding.
Describing the escalation, Richards noted that the behavior did not change overnight. Instead, it was a gradual process where Phypers allegedly became increasingly verbally aggressive, slowly eroding her self-confidence. Recalling the first alleged physical assault, Richards stated on the podcast that she was struck across the face, leaving her in shock and believing there was no turning back. She added that Phypers’ subsequent remorse initially caused her to feel sorry for him.
Financial Control and Escalating Abuse
Reflecting on financial decisions, Richards admitted that allowing Phypers to manage her finances—including adding him as an authorized signer on one of her bank accounts—was a major mistake. She stated that he convinced her he was looking out for her and building a shared life.
According to Richards, her daughter, Sami Sheen, recognized Phypers’ true nature from the beginning. Over time, Richards alleged that being struck, pushed to the ground, or threatened became a normalized part of her daily routine, leaving her feeling too broken to leave. She claimed Phypers owned firearms and used them to make threats.
The situation ultimately reached a breaking point, according to Richards, when she was allegedly struck while recovering in the hospital following surgery. “When he did that to me at that time, while I was so vulnerable, I realized he was going to kill me,” she said. Richards stated she issued an ultimatum for Phypers to attend anger management and for his family—who had moved from Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic—to vacate their home, but claimed conditions only worsened.
Richards alleged that Phypers filed for divorce behind her back shortly after she underwent a facelift in 2025, news she learned from her daughter Sami after it became public. According to the actress, their final conversation occurred shortly after the paperwork was filed, during which Phypers allegedly requested $100,000 per month in spousal support over the phone.
Did You Know?
Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers were married in an intimate ceremony in Malibu, California, on September 8, 2018, after a courtship of less than a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers marry?
The couple married on September 8, 2018, in Malibu, California.
Who filed for divorce and when?
Aaron Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, 2025, listing the date of separation as July 4, 2025, according to RadarOnline.com reports.
What allegations did Denise Richards make?
During an appearance on the Dumb Blonde podcast, Richards alleged physical, emotional, verbal, and financial abuse during her marriage to Phypers.
Stay Updated
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest entertainment news and verified celebrity updates directly in your inbox.