Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry has candidly shared details about her personal journey, revealing that she maintained a four-year period of celibacy before entering her current relationship with musician Van Hunt. The 59-year-old star, who has experienced three high-profile divorces, made the decision to step back from romantic entanglements following her last divorce in 2016.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Following her divorce from French actor Olivier Martinez in 2016, with whom she shares her 12-year-old son Maceo, Berry consciously chose to focus on personal growth rather than pursuing new relationships. The actress, who is also mother to 17-year-old daughter Nahla from her previous relationship with Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, explained her mindset during this transformative period.
'I had to really sit myself down and be alone and grow and reflect and realise my value,' Berry told The Times. 'I had decided if the right person doesn't come, I will be alone. And that's OK.'
Finding Connection During the Pandemic
In 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Berry was introduced to musician Van Hunt through mutual connections. Their relationship developed uniquely, beginning as a friendship that grew through text messages for six months before they finally met in person.
When they eventually met face-to-face, the connection proved immediate and profound. Reflecting on her journey to this point, Berry added: 'I had to go through fire and burn to get to the point of appreciating a person.'
Marriage Considerations and Past Experiences
The couple's relationship has progressed significantly, with Hunt having already proposed marriage. During an appearance on Jenna & Friends on the Today show last year, Berry revealed that her partner expressed his desire for her to become Mrs Halle Van Hunt.
However, the actress admitted she responded with 'not so fast' when it came to the idea of marriage. Hunt humorously noted: 'So I put out the proposal, and it's still on hold as you can see. It's just out there floating.'
Berry explained her hesitation stems from her previous marital experiences. 'Well, I've been married three times,' said the actress, referring to her marriages to baseball player David Justice, singer-songwriter Eric Benét, and French actor Olivier Martinez. 'Van has been married once, and so no, we don't feel like we have to get married to validate our love in any way.'
A Different Perspective on Commitment
Despite her cautious approach, Berry acknowledged that marriage remains a possibility for the couple. 'But I think we will get married just because, out of the people I've been married to, this is the person I should have married,' she announced. 'And I feel like I should, we should get married, but it's not because we feel like we have to.'
The actress described their relationship as the committed partnership she has always sought. 'I always saw myself in a committed, loving relationship with like my best friend, someone that I respect and I love.' Friends have reportedly expressed their happiness about the pairing, with many telling Berry: 'You finally found...!'
Professional Fulfillment and Industry Experiences
Separately, Berry has spoken about her positive experiences working on her latest film project, the crime thriller Crime 101 alongside Chris Hemsworth, Barry Keogh, and Mark Ruffalo. The actress, who remains the only woman of colour to have won an Oscar for Best Actress (achieved in 2002 when she beat Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Renée Zellweger and Sissy Spacek), described the working environment as exceptional.
Appearing on the Graham Norton Show with co-star Chris Hemsworth ahead of the film's release, Berry expressed feeling particularly seen and understood through her character. 'She stands up for all women in middle life. She has a voice. I think that has been a long time coming,' Berry explained to host Graham Norton. 'Many women who are down the path of life like I am will feel very happy to be seen.'
The actress contrasted her experience on Crime 101 with other industry environments. 'It was amazing. When you've being doing this for over 30 years and you say it is the all-time best, that's something,' she remarked. 'You hear about the horror stories that go on in the industry, but not at all here. I have never felt more seen, protected and stood up for as I did on this movie.'
