Veteran actress Doris Simeon has finally opened up about the devastating custody battle that separated her from her young son over a decade ago. Speaking in a candid interview with colleague Biola Bayo on “Talk to B,” Simeon shared the profound pain of losing access to her child when he was just four years old.
The accomplished actress revealed the heart-wrenching details of how her ex-husband, Daniel Ademinokan, took their son to the United States without her consent, effectively ending her ability to perform her maternal role when the child was barely three years old. The separation was made more painful by the systematic breakdown in communication that followed, with Simeon describing frustrating attempts to maintain contact with her child.
When I would call, he wouldn’t pick up, and on the rare occasions when he did, he would say he was busy and would call back,” Simeon recalled, noting that these promises often led to months of silence. Despite the emotional turmoil, Simeon maintained a strong exterior, crediting her family background and parental teachings about resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
The custody dispute came to a head in an unexpected way when Simeon attended a movie premiere and was confronted about her son’s presence, leading to court proceedings. This public dimension added another layer of complexity to an already painful situation, forcing private family matters into the spotlight of public scrutiny.
The actress’s revelations provide a glimpse into the complex dynamics of celebrity marriages and custody battles in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. While acknowledging that both parties had their faults in the marriage’s dissolution, Simeon emphasized that her primary source of pain wasn’t the end of the marriage but rather the denial of her right to mother her child.
The story takes on additional layers of complexity when viewed within the broader context of subsequent developments. After separating from Simeon in 2010, Ademinokan married actress Stella Damasus, creating headlines in the Nigerian entertainment industry. However, this union also ended in 2020, with Ademinokan relocating to another state in the USA amid reports of irreconcilable differences.
The aftermath of these relationships has spawned its own drama, with both parties making veiled references to their experiences. Ademinokan notably cautioned against taking motivational speakers at face value, while Damasus shared her disappointment about misreading what she thought was a soulmate connection, advising other women to be mindful of red flags in relationships.
In a testament to life’s continuing evolution, Ademinokan has since moved on to marry movie director Tope Oshin in July 2023, with the couple recently welcoming their first child together. Meanwhile, a positive development occurred in 2018 when Simeon was finally allowed to reunite with her son during her birthday celebration, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.
This story highlights the often-overlooked emotional toll of custody battles, particularly in cases involving international relocation. Simeon’s experience sheds light on the challenges faced by parents separated from their children across international borders, a situation complicated by legal jurisdictions and communication barriers.
The actress’s decision to share her story now, years after the events, demonstrates both personal healing and a desire to contribute to public discourse about custody issues and co-parenting after divorce. Her emphasis on maintaining dignity and strength through adversity, while acknowledging the reality of depression and frustration, offers a nuanced perspective on handling personal crises in the public eye.
As this story continues to resonate within the Nigerian entertainment industry, it serves as a powerful reminder of the long-lasting impact of custody decisions and the importance of maintaining children’s connections with both parents after separation. Simeon’s narrative adds to the growing conversation about parental rights, international custody arrangements, and the complex balance between personal privacy and public life in the entertainment industry.
