Porsha Williams‘ estranged husband, Simon Guobadia, has filed a lawsuit against her, accusing the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member of defamation and invasion of privacy.
Months after Porsha, 43, suddenly filed for divorce from Simon, 60, after less than two years of marriage, Simon claims Porsha accused him of suffering from erectile dysfunction, which led him to face ridicule and humiliation online and caused him emotional distress.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch Weekly on November 22, Simon accused Porsha of intentional infliction of emotional distress in a case filed on Thursday.
“[Porsha’s] statements, presented as factual, have caused significant harm to [Simon’s] personal and professional reputation, subjected him to public ridicule, and inflicted severe emotional distress,” Simon’s attorney alleged.
Porsha and Simon tied the knot in 2022 and called it quits earlier this year. From there, things between them grew toxic, with Porsha allegedly accusing Simon of erectile dysfunction on Instagram on July 9.
“Mr. Guobadia’s relationship with the Defendant became contentious when the Defendant suddenly started making negative, false and misleading statements about him on social media, using her outsized platform to negatively influence public perception of him,” his lawsuit claimed. “These posts were intentionally crafted to imply that [Simon] suffers from this condition, casting him in a negative and humiliating light.”
Simon’s lawyer went on to say that Porsha’s posts were painted as awareness posts as she included the “Mens Health Awareness” hashtag.
“[But] the timing and context made it clear they were directed at Simon,” the suit noted. “The nature, timing, and context of these posts, amidst the couple’s public separation, led reasonable viewers to infer that Defendant’s statements were referring to Plaintiff – because they were.”
Making matters worse for Simon, per the suit, was the fact that Porsha’s statements against him made headlines.
“[Porsha’s] postings were presented in a factual manner, implying a specific medical diagnosis of ED regarding [Simon], and were clearly intended to cast [Simon] in a negative and humiliating light,” his lawyer stated. “As a former spouse, [Porsha’s] statements were perceived by the public as having legitimacy and insider knowledge regarding [Simon’s] health, enhancing the likelihood that the public would believe these statements were true.”
“[Porsha’s] statements were false; [Simon] does not have ED and has never suffered from or been diagnosed with this condition,” the suit continued, slamming Porsha’s statements as reckless and untruthful.
“[Porsha’s] actions were extreme, outrageous, and intended to provoke and inflict emotional distress upon [Simon],” the case alleged, signaling Simon’s emotional distress and personal anguish. “[Porsha’s] allegations not only targeted [Simon’s] physical and emotional integrity but also struck at the core of his reputation as a capable and respected entrepreneur and philanthropist. By making these claims in a public forum, [Porsha] ensured their immediate and widespread dissemination, amplifying the harm to Plaintiff’s credibility and social esteem. The direct and disparaging nature of these statements leaves no doubt that they constitute defamation per se, as their content is inherently damaging and injurious to [Simon’s] personal and professional reputation.”
Simon is requesting unspecified damages from the RHOA cast member.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 16 is expected to premiere on Bravo sometime in early 2025.
