Akon's Wife Tomeka Thiam Files for Divorce After 28 Years of Marriage
Akon and Tomeka Thiam are going their separate ways.
Three days before their 29th wedding anniversary, the “Smack That” singer’s wife filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, according to court documents obtained by Billboard Sept. 12.
Tomeka is seeking joint legal custody and sole physical custody of her and Akon’s 17-year-old daughter Journey, per the outlet. She is also seeking spousal support from the 52-year-old (whose legal name is Aliaune Badara Thiam) and has requested to block the court’s ability to award him any spousal support.
E! News has reached out to reps for Akon and Tomeka for comment and has not yet heard back.
The divorce news is a rare bit of insight into Akon’s love life given that there has been speculation for years that he is a polygamist with multiple wives, though he purposefully allows that gossip to persist.
“I’mma let it stay a rumor,” he said during a 2022 interview with VladTV. “I like the fact that people are guessing now, I love it. I’m not confirming nor denying. You go online, you may see nine, you might see seven, you might see four. I love it, though.”
Akon also stated that he has “seven boys and two girls,” with the divorce filing confirming he has nine kids.
The role of being a dad is one the “Lonely” singer has been more vocal about, relating his experience of having multiple children with various women to that of Nick Cannon, who is dad to 12 kids with six women.
“That’s how life is supposed to be,” Akon explained during a 2023 appearance on The Zeze Mills Show. “Why not? [Nick’s] rich. He’s responsible. He takes care of every one of those children.”
He added, “The baby mothers are with it. They hurt for nothing. And they live comfortably. He’s there for every single one of those kids. I got nine and I’m there for every one of mine.”
Read on for more stars who have called it quits this year.
The "Smack That" singer's wife filed for divorce in September 2025, three days before their 29th anniversary, according to courts docs obtained by Billboard.
The Vampire Diaries alum and the Olympic snowboarder broke up after five years together, ending their engagement, People reported Sept. 11.
The Farmer Wants a Wife star and contestant have broken up nearly a year after finding love on season three of the Fox reality dating series.
"I would like to share that Claire and I ended our relationship shortly after Lollapalooza, over a week ago," Sansone wrote in a since-deleted August Instagram post. "This was a mutual decision based on private challenges."
"While I'll always appreciate and respect the time we shared together, I feel it’s best to move forward separately," the St. Louis native continued. "While our relationship was public, I wish for this chapter to remain as private as possible."
Meghan Markle's former pal separated from her husband after 16 years, multiple outlets reported in July 2025.
The confirmation came after Jessica began posting photos without her wedding ring earlier that summer, and four years after her and Meghan's friendship seemingly frayed.
The So You Think You Can Dance host and Kielty announced their breakup after 12 years of marriage through a joint statement.
"We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated," they told BBC July 29. "There is no other party involved."
The statement added that Deeley and Kielty would remain "united as loving parents" to their two kids Milo and James.
The Little People, Big World star announced he and his former fiancée, who began dating shortly after his divorce from ex Amy Roloff had called off their engagement in July.
"Caryn and I have decided to part ways and end our engagement," he wrote on Instagram at the time. "Life’s a continued journey and this is the right step for us at this time."
The Today cohost revealed in July that she and her husband of 12 years had decided to separate.
“For many years I have shared my family with you all--the highs and the lows," Dylan wrote in her Instagram announcement. "The ups and downs. And all of the blessings and beautiful memories in between.”
"For that reason, I want to share with you that a few months ago, Brian and I made the decision to separate," she continued. "We began as friends, and we will remain the closest of friends. Most importantly, we will continue to co-parent our three wonderful boys together with nothing but love and respect for one another."
The actress' husband of six years filed for divorce on July 7, E! News confirmed.
In the legal paperwork, Aaron listed the reason for their split as "irreconcilable differences" and noted the date of the separation was July 4 (a.k.a. Independence Day).
Aaron is also asking the court to award him spousal support in the divorce.
After around two years together, the musical artists called off their nine-month engagement “after much prayer and reflection.”
“We love each other deeply and are good friends,” Chyna (real name Angela White) added in her July 3 social media message, “but we both believe that God’s guidance has shown us that this is the right path for both of us, as we each continue our journey.”
After nearly 6 years of marriage, the couple mutually decided to go their separate ways in July. “While they have decided to end their marriage,” a rep told E! News in a statement, “they remain friends and have the [utmost] love and respect for each other.”
Nats—who wed the influencer (real name Giselle Loren Lazzarato) in 2019—listed irreconcilable differences in the divorce filing.
The Love is Blind reality star confirmed her breakup with her boyfriend on June 29, telling E! News, “It came down to a difference in lifestyle and priorities.”
Wishing her ex “nothing but the best,” Chelsea added, “I was focused on long-term stability and building a future, while he was more rooted in the moment. Over time, it became clear that we just weren’t aligned anymore.”
The news comes eight months after the season six contestant—who got engaged to ex Jimmy Presnell during the show, but never made it to the altar—hard launched Tim on social media with a simple caption, “Me & T.”
The Oscar winner and her partner of 18 years—who share two kids together—announced in June 2025 that they had "decided to separate by mutual agreement."
In their joint statement, the pair said that as "parents of two children,” they decided to “share this decision here in order to avoid all speculation, rumors and risky interpretations."
After nine years together, the “Roar” Singer and Pirates of the Caribbean star—who share daughter Daisy Dove—ended their engagement, multiple outlets confirmed on June 26.
The split rumors began circulating when the pair allegedly began spending more time apart after Katy embarked on her Lifetimes tour without Orlando, split speculation only fueled when he appeared alone in Italy for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding.
The Chicago Fire star filed for divorce from his wife of 14 years on June 23, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the breakup. Though the paperwork said Mulroney was requesting spousal support, a source close to the former couple told E! News, "No one is asking for anything, and no one is denying anything. They are not arguing over money or the children."
"They used mediators, not lawyers," the insider added, "as they are friends and this is amicable."
Just seven months after her wedding, the Australian influencer announced she and the Love Island Australia alum called it quits.
"I am going to be getting a divorce,” Tammy shared in a June 21 video on TikTok. "Obviously, when you marry someone, you do it thinking that it's gonna be forever. And I blame no one but myself, to be honest."
The Season 29 Bachelor couple broke up three months after the finale, sharing the relationship update on Instagram on June 13.
“We both gave this out best and poured a lot of love into each other, but after a lot of deep conversations, we’ve come to the understanding that we’re simply not the right fit long term,” Grant shared on his Instagram story. “What we had was meaningful.”
After nearly three years of marriage, Love Is Blind star Lydia Gonzalez shared on the June 11 episode of What’s the Reality? podcast that she filed for divorce from Milton Johnson.
The Dancing With the Stars partners called it quits less than a year after sparking a romance on the 33rd season of the ABC show, multiple outlets reported in June.
After 21 years of marriage, the Party of Five alum's wife announced in June that the pair were "moving forward with the dissolution of our marriage."
“We both look forward to an extraordinary life centered around the most extraordinary children," Kelley wrote on Instagram. "I am stepping into a chapter of peace, freedom, and protection—with grace."
On June 4, reports surfaced that the Fifty Shades of Grey alum and the Coldplay frontman parted ways after nearly eight years together.
The Olympian and the real estate agent called it quits, with Kayla writing on Instagram June 4, "Earlier this year, I made the hard decision to end my marriage after deep prayer and reflection.
“Sometimes we face trials we didn’t choose or see coming," continued Kayla, who shares kids Caiden, Liv,and Georgia with the swimmer. "And in those moments, we’re forced to make the hardest decisions to protect our peace, our children, and our future. I’ve come to the understanding that staying isn’t always the most loving decision someone can make."
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham's son broke up with the model after seven months of dating, E! News learned in June.
The comedian confirmed her breakup with her wife of five years on June 2, writing on Instagram, "Together, we have made the difficult decision to end our marriage."
"While we are sad to see this chapter of our lives come to a close," the statement read, "we wish each other nothing but the best as we move forward."
On May 23, the Love Is Blind couple shared that they had been "separated for some time now."
"It came with a lot of thought and it's been an emotional process for both of us," they said in a joint statement on Instagram. "We met in the most unique and unexpected way, and we'll always be grateful for the love and memories we've shared."
The "Karma" singer ended her monthslong romance with the Australian influencer after her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother UK, during which she struck a close friendship with Chris Hughes.
While Kath alleged that she was "dumped" at the April 25 wrap party with Chris in the next door, JoJo contended that the split had nothing to do with her housemate.
"We have this very beautiful bond, this very beautiful connection, but don’t paint it out to look like I cheated on you with him because I did not," she said on an April 30 episode of The Viall Files. "I will stand on that ground."
The Chrisley Knows Best alum and her boyfriend broke up after nearly two years together, E! News confirmed in April 2025.
She also discussed the breakup on her Untouched podcast, noting, "I have allowed you guys in on my life and that comes with all the highs and all the lows. I've been figuring out how to navigate this stage of my life because it sucks, it hurts."
Multiple reports said in April 2025 that the Bohemian Rhapsody star and The Crown alum had broken up after dating for almost two years.
The model and her Dancing With the Stars partner parted ways seven months after first sparking romance rumors, multiple outlets reported in April.
Prior to their split, the pair had been open about the on-and-off nature of their relationship, with Brooks even detailing a breakup text she received from Gleb after the two briefly split in October.
“He said, ‘Picked up my stuff. I’m going to Joshua Tree tomorrow for a few nights. We should have a conversation but I think I'm done,’” Brooks shared during a November 2024 TikTok livestream, according to People. “‘I care about you. I think you're an amazing person. You always have a special place in my heart. I love you.'"
The Love Is Blind alum announced his breakup from his wife of two years on March 28—much to her surprise.
"This was never a conversation or discussion," she commented on Facebook under his post, adding that "it's news to me, as it is to everyone else."
Mark, who shares two sons with Aubrey, denied that he blindsided her, telling TMZ in April, "I’m not here to argue timelines or opinions. I’m focused on peace, parenting, and protecting what matters most. The boys are the most important thing right now."
In late March, multiple outlets reported that the Euphoria star called off her two-year engagement to her producing partner. However, shortly after the breakup news surfaced, the pair were spotted out together in Florida.
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