View gallery

Halle Bailey has emerged as a prominent figure in popular culture due to her extraordinary singing abilities and her captivating performance in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. The excitement among Disney fans was palpable as they witnessed her remarkable talent in the film, and this journey was bolstered by unwavering support from her family and, notably, her former partner, rapper DDG (real name Darryl Granberry). The two sparked dating rumors in January 2022 when they were seen enjoying a night out at Usher’s Las Vegas residency. However, their relationship took a turn, leading to a breakup in October 2024.

In May 2025, Halle took a significant step by filing a restraining order against DDG, detailing allegations of physical, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse. In her filing, she expressed concern for her safety and that of their son, Halo, asserting, “Daryl has been and continues to be abusive towards me. I am seeking orders to protect myself and our son Halo from his ongoing abuse.”

A month later, DDG countered by filing a domestic violence restraining order, asserting that Halle posed a potential “emotional and psychological risk” to their son due to alleged threats of self-harm. According to court documents obtained by People, he expressed concern over Halle’s mental health, claiming she had made “repeated threats of suicide and self-harm,” including instances where their child’s safety was at stake while she was in emotional distress.

Continue reading to discover more about Halle’s former boyfriend and the intricacies of their relationship.

Discover How DDG Rose to Fame Through YouTube

DDG embarked on his YouTube career in 2014, sharing vlogs that captured his daily life and personal experiences. He remarked, “I just blogged my life, basically. I shared my lifestyle, my family dynamics, and my vibe,” during an interview on The Breakfast Club. Although he acknowledged that some content may have seemed “corny,” he remained focused on his primary objectives: “creating engaging content, attracting views, and generating income.”

Reflecting on his YouTube journey, DDG recalled that his initial earnings amounted to $200. However, during the summer between his freshman and sophomore years at Central Michigan University, his income skyrocketed to thousands of dollars each month. This financial success motivated him to leave college and pursue a full-time career in content creation and music, leading to an impressive following of 2.69 million subscribers on YouTube, as well as a transition into the music industry.

Academic Excellence: DDG’s Journey as Class Valedictorian

Despite his decision to leave Central Michigan University, DDG values education immensely. He achieved remarkable academic success as the valedictorian at International Tech Academy. “Education is very important to me, because I was really into school. That’s what a lot of people don’t realize,” he shared with BET during a 2019 interview. He explained, “Being valedictorian demonstrates my competitiveness and my drive to excel. I aim to be the valedictorian of everything — definitely in the rap industry.” In fact, his debut album, released in 2019, was aptly titled Valedictorian.

Reflecting on his experiences, DDG stated, “I was the class clown, but I always completed my assignments — that’s how I maintained good grades.” He further elaborated in a 2021 interview with Billboard, “My competitive nature drove my academic success. If someone challenged me, I pushed myself even harder to excel.”

DDG’s Passion for Music Precedes His YouTube Stardom

DDG has always harbored a passion for music, influenced by his upbringing with a father who worked as a music engineer in their hometown of Pontiac, Michigan. “We had our own little home studio. My brothers and I would create songs together,” he reminisced on The Breakfast Club. As he gained recognition for his earlier musical endeavors, he decided to take his passion for music more seriously.

In an interview with PEOPLE in 2019, DDG expressed his desire to break away from the stereotype of being merely a YouTuber. “I’m striving to change that image. Even though I’m a YouTuber, it often leads to people hesitating to listen to my music or being overly critical of it.” Fortunately, he had the support of Halle, who featured in his 2022 music video for “If I Want You,” where they shared an intimate moment.

In 2018, DDG signed with Epic Records, but he founded his own record label, Zooted Music, just two years later. Zooted aims to “scout, develop, and elevate artists using its significant influence in both the digital and music industries, producing culturally relevant and exceptionally talented performers,” as stated on its website.

DDG’s Victory in a Celebrity Boxing Match

.@PontiacMadeDDG scores the win but @itsNateWyatt goes the distance

Order PPV Livestream now: https://t.co/v8vhimCs9I#SocialGloves @HardRockStadium pic.twitter.com/ztSSaQSYni

— LiveOne (@liveone) June 13, 2021

DDG has showcased his versatility by winning a celebrity boxing match against musician Nate Wyatt in June 2021. Following his victory, DDG humorously noted that he had not trained for the fight, stating, “I left the strip club last night; I wasn’t even preparing for this match.” Despite his win, he acknowledged Nate’s skills, expressing, “He put up a good fight, and I have a lot of respect for him.” Interestingly, he also indicated that fans should not anticipate seeing him in the boxing ring again.

DDG’s Unwavering Self-Confidence and Career Success

“I’m a huge fan of myself,” the “This Summer” rapper confessed when discussing his confidence in an interview with Billboard. “When I see myself from an outside perspective, I understand why so many young people admire me. I constantly remind myself, ‘You’ve got this. You’re working hard, and you’ve come a long way.’ I affirm my success daily. Additionally, I feel a strong spiritual confidence, believing that God has invested in me. I haven’t faced many setbacks in a long time. Even when I encounter challenges, I bounce back quickly — it’s been that way since my youth.”

He carried this confidence into his negotiations with record labels, ensuring he received the deal he desired. After meeting with numerous labels, he explained to Billboard that he secured everything he wanted in his contract, including ownership of his masters. “I met with every label imaginable, and I understood my value. I came with a solid fanbase, quality music, and a hit under my belt. I had everything I needed,” he stated.

“To settle for anything less than what I deserved would be detrimental to my career. It was never solely about the financial aspect,” DDG clarified. “Before signing, I had already achieved financial independence. I simply wanted a supportive entity behind me, helping me elevate to the next level. I knew my worth and was determined to secure a deal that favored my interests.”

DDG & Halle: A New Chapter with Their Child

In January 2024, DDG and Halle joyfully announced the arrival of their son, Halo, born at the end of 2023.

“Although we’ve only just begun the new year, the most incredible thing that 2023 brought me was my son,” Halle shared in an Instagram post. “Welcome to the world, my Halo. The world is eager to meet you.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.