Rapper Iggy Azalea claims she was “tricked” into a relationship with a 33-year-old man when she was just 17.
Maurice Williams, aka Hefe Wine, is currently suing the female rapper for divorce, but Azalea claims he was already married during the time they spent together.
Even though the pair were never legally married, Williams now wants a divorce because he claims they had a common-law union. As such, according to the Daily Mail, he claims he is entitled to a divorce and a portion of Azalea’s earnings.
Azalea told gossip site TMZ she had no recollection of a common-law marriage. “That's like somebody I dated for about six months when I was 17. I haven't heard from this person in years,” she said.
When asked if this was purely motivated by money, she replied: “I think it's pretty obvious that's what it is.”
Williams previously tried to sell a sex tape he allegedly made with Azalea to the highest bidder, seeking a seven-figure payout. Azalea claims the tape doesn’t exist.
Now she is prepared to take him to court, claiming that he has stolen previously unreleased song recordings she made. She did not, however, make any mention of the sextape.
According to her, she met Williams in March, 2008, and he “insinuated” himself into her confidence, taking advantage of her naivety. She claims he first acted as her driver, shuttling her to recording sessions, before he “induced” her into moving in with him while he furnished a vacant apartment for her. She adds that Williams presented himself as a partner in an oil company that later turned out to be a ponzi scheme that was ordered to pay out millions of dollars in penalties.
“Iggy's federal court complaint froze Mr. Williams' ability to trade on her fame by profiting from music he stole from her, so he has resorted to elevating his predatory relationship with a 17-year-old girl into a sham “marriage” claim unsupported by any certificate or evidence,” a spokesperson for Azalea said.
Williams was, in fact, married at the time. Ex-wife Bengela Holmes confirmed that she divorced him in August 2008, four months after Azalea claims she moved in with him. However, according to Williams, one month later, he and Azalea were referring to themselves as man and wife. According to him, he and Azalea “agreed to be married, holding themselves out as man and wife”, and only parted company in May last year.
Williams faces another, more serious court date. He has been charged with assault on his 28-year-old girlfriend, the mother of his three-year-old son. The charge sheet reads that Williams brutally headbutted the woman and then attempted to strangle her. - Tonight Reporter