The big picture
- Matt Barnes and Anansa Simms struggled in a toxic relationship, receiving backlash after a breakup.
- Their public breakup led to public accusations and death threats on social media.
- The couple reconciled, seeking therapy for their blended family of six and prioritizing mental health.
Matt Barnes has been part of two extremely volatile public relations, one of which was on full display in a reality series. His relationship with his ex-wife and mother of his twin children, Gloria Govan ended in one of the biggest NBA scandals in history when Gloria married Matt's former teammate, Derek Fisher. The fallout from the divorce and child custody battle has continued to play out in the court of public opinion, with Matt accusing Gloria earlier this year of stealing nearly $25,000 from one of his American Express cards. Labeled as an NBA bad boy, Matt enjoyed the company of other famous boys before returning to what he believes is the love of his life, his college sweetheart, modeling. Anna Simms.
Matt and Anansa met while attending UCLA and have been in an on-and-off relationship ever since. Being the daughter of one of the most recognized supermodels in the world, Beverly Johnson, Anansa was no stranger to the celebrity lifestyle. Still, the two struggled to keep their chemistry in a harmonious place. Unfortunately, Matt hadn't healed long before entering into the relationship and the couple experienced a very public breakup that included throwing ugly digs and accusations back and forth across social media in front of both fans and haters alike.
By the end of 2020, Anansa and Matt were yesterday's news, leaving both of them more scarred than when they entered the relationship initially. Anansa recalls receiving death threats on social media after their breakup and was accused of trying to keep Matt away from their son. Ashton. She says the period after theto breakit was an extremely dark time for her and Matt admits during a confessional interview that he should have done more to protect her from the public backlash. Fast forward to 2022 and the two have reunited, but this time both are much better off. space. They decide to make counseling a part of the relationship and Matt proposes in December 2022. Unlike their first time around, the couple agrees to seek tools to help them create the kind of relationship that will last forever and allow them to be partners . Every episode of his new reality series The Barnes group details a portion of couples therapy sessions that allows the public to participate in their therapy process in real time.
Matt Barnes and Anansa Simms Couples Therapy Center to keep their relationship afloat
In the first episode, the therapist asks Matt how he's handling the attention of women chasing him when he's away from his family. The couple lives an honest moment and Anansa admits that knowing Matt is being pursued by other women when he is a way of making her feel insecure. Since infidelity is an issue in the couples' past, the therapist challenges Matt to find a process on how to handle the dilemma that will make Anansa feel comfortable. The couple begins to actively work on the conversation, but does not find a solution by the end of the first episode.
In addition to his personal problems, the couple will work together to raise their blended family which consists of children from previous relationships and the four-year-old son they share. With a house full of teenagers, tweens, and a preschooler, there are sure to be family challenges and obstacles along the way.
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Produced by Oscar-winning actor and producer Jaime Foxx and Datari Turner, The Barnes group manages to capture Matt's busy lifestyle as he transitions from NBA star to successful podcaster and TV/film producer and creator, all while raising his blended family of six children and preparing to be a husband again Anansa focuses on motherhood for her living brood, but navigates her fledgling modeling career under the watchful eye of her iconic mother. The family dynamic unfolds each week, but it starts with the couple sitting together for a real therapy session. The public can watch as the couple prioritizes their mental health and works to create a healthy relationship for the benefit of their family.
For fans who empathized with Matt after his ex-wife married his former teammate, it's a welcome change to see him in a big space thriving in this new relationship. For the WE TV audience, bombarded with toxic relationships and dysfunctional unions, The Barnes Bunch offers a fresh perspective for couples who may need inspiration as they try to move from toxicity to authenticity.
The Barnes Bunch airs every Friday on We tv and can be streamed on ALLBLK.
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