In the tumultuous landscape of celebrity relationships, where love, money, and fame often collide, few sagas have captured public attention with the intensity of Brittany Renner and PJ Washington’s ongoing drama. As of October 2025, their once-feted romance has devolved into a bitter custody battle, culminating in Renner’s staggering demand for $35,000 per month in child support. This figure, following Washington’s colossal $90 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, has not only sparked fierce debates but has also peeled back the curtain on the precarious intersection of personal lives and public scrutiny in the digital age.

To truly grasp the current flashpoint, one must rewind to February 2019, when the worlds of an established social media influencer and a rising basketball star first intersected. Brittany Renner, already a prominent figure with 2.5 million Instagram followers, attended a University of Kentucky basketball game. On the court, 20-year-old Paul Jermaine Washington Jr., known as PJ, was showcasing the talent that would soon propel him into the NBA. Their connection, however, had predated this in-person meeting, blossoming, as many modern romances do, in the digital realm. Washington had relentlessly pursued Renner through DMs and Snapchat. Renner, six years his senior and then 26, initially dismissed his advances, citing the age gap as a significant barrier. She humorously reflected, “My sister is his age… I used to think my sister’s so young, like I could never, how could I date someone that’s her age?”

Their initial in-person encounter was brief, a photo opportunity at one of Renner’s club hosting events in July 2018. Yet, Washington’s persistence proved unwavering. By February 2019, he invited Renner to watch him play at Kentucky, an invitation she couldn’t refuse. Years later, Renner would reveal a surprising detail about this pivotal moment: Washington had extended the invitation primarily to make his ex-girlfriend jealous. “He had just kind of gotten out of a relationship and was trying to make his ex mad and invited me.” Despite this revelation, and her initial reservations, Renner found herself drawn to Washington’s “old soul” energy and calming presence. “His energy was so neutralizing and calming that I just had… I was like maybe I should keep an open mind… who cares? Six years younger, six years older, why does it matter? This guy is different.” A subsequent invitation to a game on her birthday sealed their connection, and from that point, they communicated daily.

The romance that blossomed between Renner and Washington in 2019, at least externally, appeared idyllic. Their Instagram feeds were filled with affectionate posts, depicting a smitten couple. Renner frequently appeared courtside at Hornets games after Washington was drafted 12th overall by Charlotte in June 2019, her support unwavering. By February 2020, their relationship had become official, and Renner made a significant life choice: she decided to move to Charlotte from Los Angeles to genuinely invest in their future together. Initially, she maintained some independence with her own apartment, but by summer 2020, she moved into Washington’s home, stepping further into his world.

However, beneath the surface of this celebrity fairy tale, cracks began to appear. Living with a young NBA player, suddenly flush with wealth, came with unforeseen dynamics. Renner’s career, built on her provocative Instagram presence and substantial following of 4.6 million by 2020, earning an estimated $50,000 per sponsored post, was her livelihood. Pregnant with Washington’s child by August 2020, she found herself at a crossroads. Washington, whether subtly or intentionally, began influencing her public persona. He offered her “the luxury” of not having to post, suggesting she “kick her feet up and relax.” While not a direct command, his questions like “Why do you feel the need to do that? Why do you have to post in that way? Why do you have to pose like that?” pressured her to adapt. Believing this path might lead to marriage, Renner complied, toning down her content and shifting her focus.

Despite their public facade, private tensions escalated. Leaked DMs, later published by TMZ, revealed Washington accusing Renner of using him for clout, while she accused him of being distant during her pregnancy. These were not mere spats but foundational challenges to their bond. Adding to the complexity was the long shadow cast by Renner’s 2018 memoir, “Judge This Cover,” which detailed anonymized relationships with high-profile men. While Renner framed it as a cautionary tale, critics saw it as a roadmap for dating famous men for status. On social media, users had, since April 2019, labeled Renner a “predator” targeting young athletes, fueled by her established fame and the age gap, which many perceived as an inherent power imbalance.

On May 5, 2021, their son, Paul Jermaine Washington III (PJ Jr.), was born. For a brief period, it seemed the arrival of their child might stabilize their turbulent relationship. Tragically, this hope was short-lived.

Just two months after PJ Jr.’s birth, in July 2021, the relationship imploded. Washington moved out, triggering a social media explosion that would define their public warfare for years. On July 15, 2021, Washington tweeted, “You was faking it the whole time.” accompanied by a clown emoji, publicly accusing Renner of performative affection. Renner swiftly retorted on Instagram stories, “Tell me how I faked carrying your child for 9 months.” The battle lines were drawn. The hashtag #BrittneyRennerExposed trended on X, with fans unearthing passages from her memoir, particularly “I played the game to win,” to paint her as manipulative. The narrative swiftly solidified: Renner, a “gold digger,” had targeted a naive young athlete, “trapped him with a baby,” and was now exposed.

The drama escalated further in December 2021. Renner was invited to speak at Jackson State University, her alma mater, alongside coach Deion Sanders, about predatory women targeting athletes. The irony was not lost on the public. Washington responded on Twitter, labeling her a “fake clown” and accusing her of “trapping” him. Renner then unleashed a bombshell: “I have 127 screenshots and 30 videos what you want to do?” The thinly veiled threat implied she possessed evidence of Washington’s alleged infidelity during her pregnancy, which she was prepared to release if pushed. While the content never surfaced publicly, the threat itself sparked outrage, with X users decrying it as “extortion.” The incident cemented Renner’s public image as someone willing to weaponize private information for leverage.

The legal battles that ensued were protracted. In November 2022, a Mecklenburg County, North Carolina court issued a temporary joint custody agreement, with child support initially set at $2,500 per month, based on Washington’s then-$3 million annual salary. At this time, Renner still commanded significant influencer earnings, approximately $50,000 per sponsored Instagram post. However, by November 2024, circumstances had drastically shifted. Washington, now with the Dallas Mavericks, had accumulated career earnings of approximately $34 million. A consent order increased child support to $5,500 per month ($66,000 annually), and Washington paid a $130,000 lump sum for back support and Renner’s legal fees, acknowledging her role as primary caregiver. Crucially, a gag order was imposed, prohibiting public disparagement to protect their son, a direct response to their previous social media warfare.

Despite the legal framework, co-parenting remained contentious. Renner alleged inconsistent visitation, claiming Washington missed 40% of scheduled days. Washington’s team countered that she imposed unreasonable demands. The geographical distance, with Renner moving to Los Angeles in 2023 for “Basketball Wives,” further complicated custody exchanges.

While Renner’s life grew increasingly unstable, Washington found stability. In 2022, he began dating Alisa Chanel, a Dallas-based model. They welcomed their first son, Preston, in November 2022, married in October 2023, and had a second son, Paxton Jace, in February 2025. Chanel also brought her son, Aiden, into their blended family. Washington’s social media transformed, filled with posts celebrating family and fatherhood, a stark contrast to the chaos of his relationship with Renner. Chanel occasionally posted subtle digs, like “Some women love drama over peace,” signaling Washington had moved on to a healthier, more stable life.

Meanwhile, Renner’s life seemed to spiral. In 2024, she converted to Islam, announcing on Instagram Live, “I found peace in submitting to Allah.” She briefly adopted modest fashion and entered a spiritual, non-legally binding marriage with rapper Kevin Gates in April 2025. This union lasted only 52 days, ending in May 2025 amidst Gates’s divorce proceedings. X users mocked her conversion as a publicity stunt, especially as she resumed provocative content post-split. The most significant blow to Renner’s stability came in June 2025 when she was fired from “Basketball Wives” due to declining ratings. Her steady income evaporated. Court documents filed in September 2025 revealed her dire financial state: $81 in her bank account and no steady income. Her influencer earnings had plummeted to approximately $10,000 per post, a fraction of her peak. She was financially “drowning.”

Then, in September 2025, the conflict erupted publicly once more. A 97-second video, filmed by Renner’s mother, Jodie, during a rain-soaked custody exchange in North Carolina, went viral, garnering 10.2 million views on X. Posted by Renner, the clip captured a heated argument that exposed the complete breakdown of their co-parenting relationship. In the video, Renner hands over PJ Jr.’s backpack, explaining that their son cries during exchanges, accusing Washington of inconsistent parenting. Washington retorted that she was “babying him” and demanded she stop recording. Jodie then interjected with an explosive, unverified claim: “He spent $170,000 on your hoe [Alisa Chanel] but only $11,000 on PJ Jr.’s bank account!” Washington’s response was visceral, culminating in an expletive. Chanel then exited the car, and the video abruptly ended.

The internet exploded. Comedian Ricky Smiley called Renner a narcissist, prioritizing drama over her son’s well-being. The video accumulated over two million views on YouTube, with X sentiment analysis showing 80% of posts criticizing Renner, accusing her of setting Washington up immediately after his $90 million contract extension. The custody battle intensified, and with it, the financial stakes.

Twenty-eight days after the viral video, on September 29, 2025, Brittany Renner filed a motion in Los Angeles Superior Court, demanding an increase in child support payments from $5,500 to an astronomical $35,000 per month – a 536% increase. She also requested $50,000 for attorney fees. The timing was deliberate, coinciding with Washington’s $90 million contract, guaranteeing him approximately $1.4 million per month and boosting his net worth to an estimated $40-50 million.

In her filing, Renner argued that $5,500 represented only 0.38% of Washington’s monthly income, “grossly inadequate” given his newfound wealth. She claimed she couldn’t provide PJ Jr. with a lifestyle comparable to his father’s, citing a stark disparity. Her itemized monthly expenses for PJ Jr. in Los Angeles included $10,000 for housing, $5,000 for childcare, $3,000 for custody-related travel, and $2,000 for security and therapy, totaling $20,000. She highlighted Washington’s lavish lifestyle with Chanel – luxury vehicles, designer shopping, vacations – implying PJ Jr. deserved the same.

Her financial collapse was central to her argument. With $81 in her bank account, accumulated debts of $20,000 in credit card debt, and $15,000 in legal fees, she claimed to be “financially drowning.” The filing also included alleged text messages from Washington berating her for how she spent child support: “The least you can do is buy him clothes and shoes… and take him to the barber shop damn.” Renner countered that $5,500 covered only basic necessities, leaving nothing for the emotional and social needs of a child split between her “humble Los Angeles rental” and Washington’s “Dallas mansion.”

Washington’s legal team, through statements reported by MARCA, labeled Renner’s demand “greedy,” far exceeding typical child support guidelines. They emphasized her continued earning potential as an influencer, theoretically capable of $500,000 annually. They highlighted Washington’s existing contributions of $66,000 annually plus the $130,000 lump sum. Expert witnesses estimated PJ Jr.’s reasonable monthly needs at approximately $10,000, deeming Renner’s request “excessive and self-serving.” Social media erupted with accusations of jealousy and gold-digging, reinforcing the long-held narrative that Renner had “planned this all along.” The $35,000 figure became a symbol of perceived excesses in celebrity child support cases.

Beneath the sensationalism, however, lie legitimate questions about equity and a child’s right to a consistent lifestyle. California’s family law, unlike North Carolina’s, considers the child’s accustomed lifestyle in high-income cases. PJ Jr. experiences his father’s world of private schools, luxury homes, and exotic vacations. When he returns to his mother’s more modest life, the contrast is stark.

Yet, Renner’s past actions made it difficult for many to view her demands sympathetically. The September 1st custody video, potentially violating the gag order, appeared calculated to publicly shame Washington and gain leverage. Her 2021 threat to release private information established a pattern of weaponizing personal details. Her brief religious conversion and marriage to Kevin Gates, followed by a swift return to provocative content, seemed opportunistic. Her memoir, detailing relationships with wealthy men, made it easy for critics to frame her entire relationship with Washington as a calculated move. The public perception, fair or not, was that Renner was driven by money and status.

Washington, in contrast, largely maintained composure. His September 2025 statement to ESPN, “I’m focused on being a great dad and player,” reflected a strategic decision to take the high road. His stable life with Alisa Chanel presented a stark contrast to Renner’s chaos, solidifying the narrative of Washington having “dodged a bullet.”

As of October 2025, no ruling has been issued on Renner’s motion. A hearing is scheduled for November 2025, where a judge will need to balance the legitimate needs of a four-year-old child, the earning capacities of both parents, California’s principles regarding lifestyle maintenance, concerns about public pressure, and potential violations of prior court orders. The outcome of this high-stakes battle will undoubtedly set a precedent for future celebrity child support cases, continuing to ignite fierce debate on the price of power, publicity, and parenthood in the modern age.