Overview

• On August 7, former MLB star David Justice said on the All the Smoke podcast that his 1993–1997 marriage to Halle Berry faltered because she “don't cook, don't clean, don't really seem like motherly” and he yearned for a more traditional partner.
• On her 59th birthday, Berry shared a carousel of tropical vacation photos on Instagram with a caption reading “Phew…! cooking, cleaning and mothering” that was widely interpreted as a pointed reply to his comments.
• The post also included images of her partner Van Hunt, a birthday cake and a card appearing to be from her children Nahla and Maceo-Robert.
• Justice later reflected on the podcast that therapy might have salvaged the marriage, suggesting youthful inexperience played a role in their divorce.
• The exchange reignited online debate over traditional gender roles, with some social media users labeling Justice’s remarks sexist and others praising Berry’s witty response.