Amber Rose & Wiz Khalifa: Slut-Shaming, Joint Custody, and the Divorce That Sparked a Movement
When her rapper ex and his friends tried to shame her, she turned the divorce into a feminist revolution
Key Facts
What Happened
Amber Rose, the model and media personality, married rapper Wiz Khalifa in July 2013 after a whirlwind romance. They welcomed their son, Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, in February 2013. The marriage lasted barely a year — Rose filed for divorce in September 2014, citing irreconcilable differences. What should have been a straightforward celebrity split became a flashpoint in the cultural conversation about slut-shaming, body autonomy, and double standards in divorce.
After the separation, Wiz Khalifa released music containing disparaging references to Rose's past as a stripper. Kanye West — Rose's ex-boyfriend — also made demeaning public comments about her. The public attacks on Rose's sexual history became a national talking point about how women, particularly women of color, are punished for their pasts during and after relationship breakups. Rather than retreating, Rose went on the offensive.
The divorce settlement, finalized in June 2016 after a two-year battle, awarded Rose $1 million under the prenuptial agreement they had signed before the marriage, plus $14,800 per month in child support for Sebastian. They agreed to share joint legal and physical custody. Khalifa retained his Pennsylvania home and ten vehicles. Despite the contentious proceedings, the couple eventually achieved an amicable co-parenting relationship.
Rose channeled the slut-shaming she experienced into activism, organizing the Amber Rose SlutWalk in Los Angeles from 2015 to 2018 — an annual event protesting sexual violence, victim-blaming, and gender-based double standards. The event drew hundreds of supporters and was covered internationally. Rose became an unlikely feminist icon, demonstrating that the stigma women face during divorce — particularly around their sexual history — can be confronted and transformed into empowerment. Her divorce proved that a prenup protects both parties, that joint custody can work after conflict, and that public shaming does not have to define the narrative.
Legal Breakdown: Child Custody
Prenuptial Agreements That Work
Unlike the Lachey-Simpson case, Rose and Khalifa had a prenup that clearly defined the settlement terms. The $1 million payout was predetermined, eliminating the need for lengthy negotiation over asset division. This case illustrates the value of prenups: a two-year divorce process that could have been far longer and more expensive was settled within the prenup's framework.
Joint Custody After High Conflict
Despite the public acrimony between Rose and Khalifa — including demeaning song lyrics and social media attacks — they agreed to joint legal and physical custody of Sebastian. Courts encourage joint custody when both parents are fit, and the ability to separate personal grievances from co-parenting responsibilities is considered a sign of parental maturity. Their successful co-parenting after conflict is a model outcome.
Sexual History in Divorce Proceedings
The public attacks on Rose's past as a stripper raised questions about whether sexual history should be relevant in custody or divorce proceedings. In most states, a parent's sexual history or prior employment in the sex industry is not grounds for denying custody unless it directly affects the child's welfare. Courts focus on current parenting ability, not past moral judgments.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →A prenup creates certainty for both parties. Rose received a predetermined $1 million, and Khalifa kept his assets — no ambiguity, less litigation.
- →Your sexual history or past employment is not relevant to custody in most jurisdictions. If your ex tries to use it against you, your attorney can file a motion to exclude it.
- →Joint custody can work even after a contentious divorce — but it requires both parents to prioritize the child over personal grievances.
- →Public shaming during divorce is increasingly common in the social media age. Document harassment, and know that courts can issue orders restricting disparaging public statements about a co-parent.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.