A Decade Later: Jeremy Renner Reflects on His Controversial Divorce

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Jeremy Renner Opens Up About His Shocking Divorce and Custody Battle: "It Was a Salacious Mess!"

Ten years have passed since Jeremy Renner finalized his tumultuous divorce from Sonni Pacheco, but the scars from their bitter custody battle still linger. The Academy Award-nominated actor is speaking out for the first time about the shocking allegations that left him reeling and his reputation in tatters.

In a candid interview with TheScholarlyNote.com, Renner, 37, reveals the devastating toll the drama took on his life and how he's emerged stronger and wiser from the experience. "It was a salacious mess," he admits. "Being accused of things you've not done? That doesn't feel good to anybody."

The drama began when Pacheco, a realtor and sculpture artist, filed for divorce in 2012, claiming Renner was an "unfit parent" with a substance abuse problem and alleging that he threatened to kill her. The court papers also accused Renner of leaving their then-six-year-old daughter Ava unsupervised for hours while engaging in threesomes or passed out drunk.

Pacheco further alleged that Renner once put a gun in his mouth, threatening to take his own life, before firing the weapon into the ceiling with Ava asleep just down the hall. The allegations were so shocking that they left Hollywood stunned and wondering how such a charmed superstar like Renner could be accused of such heinous behavior.

But Renner insists it was all a lie. "Those allegations were false," he stresses. "I lived a carnival-type life at the time, hosting parties and whatnot. But I wasn't engaging in any of those things that Sonni claimed. It was all clickbait and salaciousness."

The actor also addresses the infamous mark on Ava's shoulder, which Pacheco alleged was from Renner biting her. "It was actually a car seat belt," he explains. "Ava was riding in the backseat, and the belt pinched her. That's it."

Renner reveals that the experience left him feeling vulnerable and exposed. "I just wanted to slow down," he says. "I got tired of hosting parties and dealing with all the drama that came with it. COVID-19 came along, and I used that as an excuse to take a step back and reevaluate my life."

The actor's relationship with Pacheco has surprisingly improved over time. The former couple shares joint custody of Ava, and Renner says they've developed a positive co-parenting dynamic. "We get along really well now," he reveals. "Ava's mom and I are in each other's lives, and it's lovely."

Renner is currently single but has been linked to actresses Eiza González and hairstylist Amber Monson. When asked if he's concerned about Pacheco gaining sole custody of Ava, the action star scoffs. "That's just lawyers talking," he says. "We have a joint custody arrangement that works for both of us."

The actor is focusing on his personal life, including his 12-year-old daughter and his foster kid charity, RennerVation Foundation. He's also busy with his latest projects, including the fourth season of Paramount+'s Mayor of Kingstown and the upcoming Netflix film Wake Up Dead Man, which co-stars Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, and Mila Kunis.

Renner's journey from darkness to light is a testament to his resilience and strength. As he navigates the ups and downs of Hollywood, the actor remains committed to being the best father possible and spreading love and positivity wherever he goes.