What started as a lavish, jet-set romance between a billionaire media mogul and a young model has now spiraled into a public legal war filled with bitter accusations, power dynamics, and emotional wounds.
David Geffen, one of the entertainment industry’s most powerful figures, is facing a lawsuit from his estranged husband Donovan Michaels, who claims their relationship was rooted in control, manipulation, and ultimately, exploitation.
Behind the Glamour and Wealth Was a Troubled Reality
According to legal documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Michaels – also known by his former name David Armstrong – is accusing the 82-year-old Geffen of using wealth and status to entrap him.
The suit claims that Geffen used a blend of seduction, promises of love, and luxury to lure Michaels into what he describes as a cycle of dependency and emotional manipulation.
Their story began on a high-end dating site, SeekingArrangements.com, where Michaels says he turned after struggling to make ends meet in Florida.
He had been working in adult entertainment and exotic dancing, and said he signed up for the site to survive.
That’s where, he alleges, Geffen found him and offered $10,000 for sex during their first meeting in 2016.
Promises of a Future and a Life Shared
Michaels says that as their paid encounters turned into something more, Geffen told him he loved him.
The two reportedly agreed to share their lives – and their assets – equally.
Michaels claims he gave up everything, including his modeling aspirations and independence, because he believed in that promise.
But that dream came crashing down in May, when Geffen filed for divorce.
And, according to Michaels, he didn’t just want out of the marriage – he wanted Michaels out of his life, and fast.
Evicted and Cut Off While the Billionaire Partied Abroad
While Geffen celebrated on a yacht in Venice during the high-society wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, Michaels says he was abruptly ordered to leave their shared New York home.
The complaint paints a picture of a man suddenly stripped of housing, financial support, and stability – while the other continued living in luxury among the world’s wealthiest elite.
Michaels alleges that the same man who donates millions to charities supporting the homeless and vulnerable left him without a roof over his head or money for basic necessities.
Claims of Control, Criticism, and Grooming
The lawsuit goes further, claiming that Geffen wasn’t just distant – he was actively controlling.
Michaels says he was constantly criticized for his appearance, hygiene, and even the smallest physical flaws.
He alleges Geffen demanded he undergo painful cosmetic procedures, including dental and laser treatments, to meet impossible standards.
He also says that during their early interactions, he opened up to Geffen about his troubled childhood in Michigan’s foster care system.
But instead of compassion, Michaels claims Geffen used that vulnerability against him – casting himself as a savior while treating Michaels more like a possession than a partner.
From Partner to Prop in Public
Michaels paints a picture of a relationship where he became more of a prop than a person.
According to the complaint, he was flown around the world to accompany Geffen – not as a partner, but as someone to showcase as part of his brand of philanthropy and elite social image.
He claims he was used to impress others, not supported as a true life partner, describing himself as a “living social experiment” in the billionaire’s circle of powerful friends.
A Marriage Without a Prenup and a Lawyered-Up Divorce
The pair reportedly married in 2023 – but without a prenuptial agreement.
Now, the legal battle is being fought with high-profile attorneys on both sides.
Michaels is represented by Samantha Spector and Bryan Freedman (who’s also known for representing actor Justin Baldoni), while Geffen is being defended by top celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser.
A Troubled Past Comes Full Circle
As this divorce unfolds in the public eye, Michaels’ backstory adds another layer.
He came from a rough upbringing, and his adoptive father had reportedly been shocked to learn about the marriage – and skeptical about its longevity.
Now, Michaels is making serious claims about how that marriage played out behind closed doors – and the case is shaping up to be one of the most explosive splits the entertainment world has seen in years.