The iconic imagery of Angela Bassett’s revenge scene in “Waiting to Exhale” took on deeply personal meaning for Porsha Williams as she posed for a magazine recreation of the memorable moment. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star found herself processing her own feelings of betrayal and resilience while channeling the film’s powerful message about overcoming deception and finding strength.
Williams recently emerged from an intense legal battle that culminated in her divorce being finalized on June 11 by a Georgia judge. The proceedings marked the end of her marriage to Simon Guobadia, who appeared at the final hearing via video call from Nigeria, where he had been deported due to immigration violations including bank and credit card fraud.
Marriage that promised security
The couple’s relationship began in 2021 when they met through Guobadia’s former partner, who also appeared on the Bravo reality series. Their romance moved quickly, with the pair announcing their engagement just one month after going public with their relationship on social media platforms.
Their union was celebrated with two elaborate wedding ceremonies in November 2022. The festivities included a traditional Nigerian ceremony honoring Guobadia’s cultural heritage, followed by an extravagant American celebration in Atlanta. Williams, now 44, describes herself as a hopeless romantic who dedicated herself completely to the relationship once she committed.
The 17-year age difference between Williams and Guobadia, 61, initially provided what she perceived as stability and security. After experiencing hurt in previous relationships, Williams believed she had found someone trustworthy who had learned from past mistakes and could offer the protection she sought.
Warning signs and difficult decisions
The sense of security Williams felt began to crumble when she discovered what she characterizes as complex issues surrounding Guobadia’s legal immigration status. Recognizing the potential consequences, she hired an immigration attorney in January 2024 to better understand the situation and its implications for their marriage.
Despite Williams’ efforts to address the concerns collaboratively and her requests that Guobadia avoid international travel, he continued to leave the country throughout their relationship. The breaking point came during a Valentine’s Day confrontation when Williams wanted to involve additional legal representation to protect her interests.
Williams filed for divorce eight days after the Valentine’s Day incident, describing the moment as reaching a point of no return. She emphasizes that infidelity was not a factor in their separation, but rather fundamental differences about priorities and trust that became insurmountable.
Legal proceedings and financial protection
Unlike her previous marriage to former NFL quarterback Kordell Stewart, which ended in 2013 when he surprised her with divorce papers, Williams took control of this situation. She had learned from past experiences and entered the marriage with a prenuptial agreement that protected her substantial business portfolio and financial interests.
The divorce proceedings continued for 12 months while Guobadia traveled internationally. In February 2025, when he returned to Atlanta for a court date related to their case, he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before reaching his destination.
Court documents revealed Guobadia’s extensive history of immigration violations dating back to the 1980s, including visa overstays, a 1987 conviction for bank and credit card fraud, and a previous deportation in 1992. Despite these issues, he had reentered the United States under a different identity and obtained permanent residency that was later determined to be unlawfully granted.
Impact on family and moving forward
The divorce particularly affected Williams’ six-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena McKinley, whom she shares with ex-fiancé Dennis McKinley. The child had developed close relationships with Guobadia and his children from previous relationships, creating a blended family dynamic that Williams had carefully cultivated during her three-year break from television.
Williams initially told Pilar that Guobadia was traveling for work, but eventually explained that their marriage had ended while emphasizing that both parents still loved her. When Pilar expressed desire to contact Guobadia, Williams reached out to facilitate the communication but received no response, which she found particularly difficult to explain to her daughter.
The co-parenting relationship with McKinley strengthened during this challenging period, with both parents focusing on providing stability for Pilar. This collaborative approach helped demonstrate to the child what supportive family relationships could look like during the transition.
Professional focus and personal healing
While managing the divorce proceedings, Williams returned to The Real Housewives of Atlanta after her three-year hiatus, though she kept many personal struggles private during filming. Legal constraints, including cease and desist orders and defamation lawsuits from Guobadia, limited her ability to discuss the situation openly on camera.
Williams channeled her energy into various business ventures, including partnerships with beauty brands and continued development of her Go Naked Hair line, which she launched after her first divorce. She also focused on her sheet line, Pampered by Porsha, and developed a YouTube channel called Porsha4Real that showcases her authentic personality away from reality television drama.
Despite the challenges, Williams maintains optimism about future relationships and expresses gratitude for preserving her capacity for love and trust through the difficult experience.
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