Seven months after Halle Bailey and DDG went their separate ways, the actress has been granted a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend.
In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Bailey accused DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry, of verbal and physical assault dating back to January 2025. The temporary restraining order requires DDG to remain over 100 yards away from Bailey and their son, Halo Saint Granberry, at all times.
DDG confirmed that he and Bailey had broken up in October 2024, one year after they welcomed their first child together.
The former couple first sparked romance rumors in January 2022 when they were spotted at Usher’s Las Vegas residency together. They also stepped out for a handful of events together, including the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty.
So, who is Halle Bailey’s ex-boyfriend? Here’s everything to know about DDG and what claims she made against him in May 2025.
He was his class valedictorian
DDG grew up in Pontiac, Mich., where he graduated from International Tech Academy as valedictorian of his class. The high honor later inspired the title of his 2019 debut album, Valedictorian.
“[Academics] are very important, because I was really into school. That’s what a lot of people don’t realize,” he told BET.com in 2019. “Valedictorian is just about being super competitive and being at the top at all times. It displays my competitiveness. I want to be valedictorian of everything — definitely of the rap game.”
After graduation, DDG enrolled at Central Michigan University, but he later dropped out to pursue a career as an entertainer.
He got his start on YouTube
Like Bailey and her sister Chloe, DDG got his start on YouTube. He started making videos in 2014, sharing an array of content, including vlogs and his original music.
“I’m in a space now where I want people to get rid of the stigma that I’m a YouTuber,” DDG told PEOPLE in October 2022 of his career as a rapper. “I’m really just tryna shake that image and that stigma. Even though I am a YouTuber, I feel like it automatically comes with people not wanting to press play on the music or believing in the music. Or being harder on it. People are harder on me than other artists.”
After signing with Epic Records in 2018, DDG founded his own record label, Zooted Music, in 2020. Per the label’s website, Zooted Music “scouts, develops, and grows artists using its tremendous leverage in the digital and music space and produces culturally relevant, super talented artists.”
He and Bailey first connected through social media
During Essence‘s September/October 2022 cover story, Bailey revealed how she and DDG first connected through social media, noting that she had been “a fan” of the rapper and YouTuber “for years” before he slid into her DMs.
“I grew up being on YouTube and would always see the young Black creators and was constantly inspired by them. He was one of them,” Bailey told the magazine. “I completely forgot about him. But then I saw that he was dropping music, and I really gravitated toward this one song. Coincidentally he messaged me — and the rest is history.”
While talking to PEOPLE in February 2024, DDG said that he “invited” himself to their first date — dinner and a movie (Dune, to be more specific).
“We went to this Ethiopian restaurant, and then I thought that was the end of the date, and then she was like, ‘I’m finna go see a movie.’ I was like, ‘With who?’ She was like, ‘By myself,’ and then I invited myself. And now we here with a baby,” he said.
He and Bailey went public with their relationship in March 2022
After sparking romance rumors in January 2022, Bailey and DDG went Instagram official in March as the rapper posted a birthday tribute for the singer.
In June, the two made their red carpet debut as a couple at the BET Awards. That August, Bailey briefly opened up about DDG during her Essence cover story. When asked whether she’s in love with the rapper, Bailey said, “Yes. For sure I am.”
The duo went on to make a number of public appearances together, including attending the 2022 WACO Wearable Art Gala, sitting front row at Milan Fashion Week in 2023 and attending the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in March 2023.
Bailey appeared in one of his music videos
In August 2022, Bailey starred in DDG’s sultry music video for “If I Want You,” where they were shown locking lips.
This wasn’t the last time Bailey was involved with DDG’s music. The rapper seemed to reference Bailey in his song “Famous” with lyrics that appeared to address the actress kissing her costar Jonah Hauer-King in The Little Mermaid.
“Filmin’ a movie now you kissing dudes / You know I love you a lot / I don’t give a f— if that s— for promo / I don’t wanna see this s— no more,” DDG sang.
His lyrics also seemed to reference Bailey holding hands with Hauer-King at the U.K. premiere of the movie. “Why is y’all holdin’ hands in the photo? / You know I’m insecure, that’s a no-no,” he continued.
He and Bailey welcomed a baby boy in 2023
In January 2024, Bailey announced the birth of her and DDG’s first child together, son Halo.
“Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo the world is desperate to know you,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the newborn’s hand.
In a separate Instagram post, DDG called Halo his “biggest blessing by far.” When Bailey was granted a temporary restraining order from her ex-boyfriend, their son was also included. The actress also requested that she be given custody of Halo during an upcoming film shoot in Italy.
He announced his breakup from Bailey in October 2024
On Oct. 3, 2024, DDG announced that he and Bailey had split in a post on his Instagram Stories, sharing that they planned to “focus on our individual journeys and our roles as co-parents.”
“Dear friends and supporters, After much reflection and heartfelt conversations, Halle and I have decided to go our separate ways,” he wrote. “The decision was not easy, but we believe it’s the best path forward for both of us. I cherish the time we’ve spent together and the love we shared.”
“Despite the changes in our relationship, our love for each other remains deep and true,” he added. “We are still best friends and adore each other.”
Days later, DDG said that he and Bailey were “forever family, forever” during an appearance on No Ordinary Podcast.
“I feel like people should keep that in their head when they talk about us. You’re talking about our family. You need to relax,” he said. “I feel like y’all don’t consider that at all. If I’m hurting, you know, that can be hurting my baby that you love so much.”
Bailey was granted a restraining order against DDG in May 2025
Less than a year after their breakup, court documents obtained by PEOPLE revealed that Bailey had been granted her request for a temporary restraining order against DDG that would also protect their son Halo.
In the documents, Bailey claimed that DDG had called her “evil” and “a bitch” while also accusing her of “withholding” Halo from him.
“As a result, I then receive threats and hate on social media. He seems to try to set up drama for his fans,” she said. “He goes ‘live’ ranting about me and alleges that I am keeping Halo from him. This is false. I have requested a set schedule, which he refuses.”
Bailey also accused DDG of physical abuse and submitted photographic evidence that showed her alleged injuries caused by her ex-boyfriend, including photos of her chipped front tooth and a large bruise on her bicep.
She requested that the court “order Darryl to cease and desist from posting and/or streaming on any and all platforms about about Halo and/or me, including but not limited to Youtube, Twitch, Tiktok, Instagram, and Twitter/X.”
Bailey is also seeking sole legal and physical custody of Halo with no visitation for DDG. Instead, she is requesting that he be granted weekly supervised six-hour visits with Halo and that he be prevented from taking Halo outside of Los Angeles County.
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