Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams pleaded with a judge for permission to attend her upcoming divorce hearing virtually, days after it was revealed her ex Simon Guobadia could be present in court, In Touch can exclusively report.
On Monday, May 19, Porsha, 43, filed a motion, obtained by In Touch, asking for permission to appear via video at the hearing next month.
At the hearing, Porsha is set to make her case for why she believes their prenuptial agreement should be enforced.
Simon, 60, who has been in ICE detention since February 19, has opposed the prenup and accused Porsha of making misrepresentations during the negotiations.
As In Touch first reported, the court presiding over the divorce has postponed the hearing multiple times, most recently due to Simon being in detention.
GettyImages-1429410267 Simon Guobadia and Porsha Williams attend Jay "Jeezy" Jenkins' 2nd Annual Sno Ball Gala at Flourish Atlanta on September 29, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Simon Guobadia and Porsha Williams.
Simon’s lawyer asked for the hearing to be pushed. She argued her client should be present at the hearing.
Simon’s lawyer wrote, “The motion to enforce the Prenuptial Agreement is a substantive motion that requires findings of fact by this Court. The outcome of the motion will also have a substantial effect on how the remainder of the divorce case proceeds, as it may be dispositive of some of the issues and result in litigation on others.”
In his motion, Simon’s attorney explained the ICE agency advised it would make arrangements for Simon to be taken to court for the divorce hearing once the court issued a production order.
The judge agreed to sign off on the production order, which will instruct ICE agents to bring Simon to court next month.
A source close to Simon told In Touch that he remains in ICE custody but is expected to be released in the next couple of weeks. It’s unclear if he will be released before the hearing takes place.
Now, in her new filing, Porsha asked that she be allowed to appear and testify via videoconference.
GettyImages-1325289068 Porsha Williams and Simon Guobadia attend Porsha Williams Private Birthday Celebration on June 22, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.Porsha Williams and Simon Guobadia.
The reality star explained that she has a “time-sensitive international employment opportunity” that would require her to leave the country in the next two or three weeks for an extended period of time that would “encompass the June 11, 2025, hearing.”
The RHOA cast member’s lawyer wrote, “[Porsha] is a well-known reality television personality, a career in which last-minute travel and unexpected opportunities frequently arise. [Porsha] shows that this employment opportunity would help [Porsha] offset the numerous financial obligations that [Simon] has failed to maintain under the Temporary Order, as well as to offset the significant legal expenses [Porsha] has already incurred in pursuing enforcement of the parties’ Prenuptial Agreement and defending herself against [Simon] as it relates to the instant divorce action.”
Porsha argued if she turned down the deal, aside from “direct financial implications,” it could also have the potential to “jeopardize the longer-term viability and marketability of her brand and professional appeal.”
The reality star said she was ready to appear at the previous hearing which was rescheduled due to Simon’s situation.
Her lawyer noted, “[Porsha] shows that her request for virtual appearance is made in good faith and reflects a balancing of her professional obligations and the serious nature of these proceedings, not a desire to delay or further complicate the instant litigation.” Porsha pointed out the court has accommodated Simon’s requests due to his detention.
As In Touch first reported, Simon said if not for the alleged misrepresentations made by Porsha during the prenup negotiations, he would not have agreed to the prenup which requires him to pay her a “substantial financial obligation” which totals “over hundreds of thousands of dollars” and which would require him to split the equity of his $7 million home.
Simon noted he purchased the home before the marriage.