Djion Hounsou’s ex-girlfriend and mother of two of his children, Riza Marie Simpson, was arrested for allegedly assaulting the actor following a dispute over her living arrangement.
The confrontation, which took place in December, escalated after Hounsou attempted to evict Simpson from his home, leading to police involvement.
TMZ reports that Hounsou claims Simpson struck him in the face with a closed fist after he tried to kick her out of his Atlanta townhouse. Their two children were reportedly upstairs at the time of the incident and while they didn’t see it happen, he claims they may have heard it.
On Jan 16, police officers visited Hounsou’s Atlanta townhouse carrying an arrest warrant for Simpson. She was taken into custody on charges of simple assault and obstruction, the latter for allegedly providing false information to officers during their visit.
“I’m still struggling to make a living”
Aside from personal affairs, Hounsou appears to be keeping busy with acting gigs. In September 2025, it was announced that he was latest name to join the cast of Highlander, Amazon MGM’s remake of the 1980s cult classic. Hounsou will play an immortal warrior from Africa.
Last year, Djimon opened up about his struggles to remain a working actor in Hollywood.
“I’m still struggling to make a living,” he said to People. “I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”
He also spoke on being low-balled in a 2023 interview with The Guardian.“I still have to prove why I need to get paid,” he continued. “They always come at me with a complete low ball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and we really think you can bring so much.’ “
“Viola Davis said it beautifully. She’s won an Oscar, she’s won an Emmy, she’s won a Tony and she still can’t get paid,” Hounsou told the outlet, referencing Davis’ past vocal comments about wage discrimination in the industry.
Hounsou showed his dramatic chops with a breakthrough performance in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 Amistad, then earned Oscar nominations for In America and Blood Diamond.
Hounsou’s last known relationship was with model Kimora Lee Simmons, whom he dated for five years and shares a son with, before they split up in 2020.