Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 16, 2025 · Entertainment

Nickelodeon Star Drake Bell Files for Divorce Amidst Controversy

Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell has filed for divorce from wife Janet Von Schmeling; pictured in July 2024

EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Former Nickelodeon Heartthrob Drake Bell's Marriage Crumbles Amid Cheating Scandal and Bitter Custody Battle

Drake Bell, the 39-year-old former star of Nickelodeon's beloved show "Drake & Josh," has filed for divorce from his wife Janet Von Schmeling, just weeks after she announced her pregnancy with their second child - and a new baby daddy on the scene!

According to sources close to the couple, Bell's marriage imploded due to his alleged infidelity, which ultimately led to Von Schmeling filing for divorce in April 2023. The actress-turned-producer had initially cited their date of separation as September 2022, seeking primary custody of their four-year-old son Wyatt and spousal support.

The 39-year-old actor filed a petition in Seminole County, Florida on Thursday, according to TMZ; pictured in 2017

But here's the juicy part: Von Schmeling has since moved on with a new beau, Jim Perez, who is now the father-to-be of her second child - a baby girl, due in September! The actress shared a heartwarming Instagram post on Father's Day, gushing about Perez's devotion to their little family. "He chose us... in the big ways, in the quiet moments, and all the in-betweens," she raved. "And now, we're counting down the days until our baby girl gets to be with her daddy too!"

But sources close to the couple reveal that Bell's marriage was already on shaky ground due to his alleged infidelity. In January 2023, Von Schmeling filed for divorce after months of separation, citing "irreconcilable differences." Insiders claimed that Bell had entered "treatment" weeks after he was caught huffing a balloon in front of his parked car while Wyatt slept in the backseat!

This isn't the first time Bell has been embroiled in controversy. In July 2021, he pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges and was sentenced to two years' probation and 200 hours of community service after allegedly sending "inappropriate social media messages" to a 15-year-old girl who attended one of his concerts in Cleveland back in 2017.

The exes share four-year-old son Wyatt

The drama continues: Von Schmeling's Instagram profile describes her as a producer, but sources claim she's been focusing on building a career while balancing motherhood. And now, with her new baby daddy by her side and a second child on the way, it seems like she's finally found happiness - away from Bell's toxic drama.

As for Bell, he's keeping a low profile after his divorce filing. But insiders claim that he's still reeling from the scandal, which has left him struggling to co-parent with Von Schmeling. "He's been trying to make amends and get back on his feet," says a source close to the couple, "but it's not easy when you've hurt someone as deeply as Janet."

Stay tuned for more updates on this salacious celebrity scandal!

She announced her pregnancy with new beau Jim Perez on Instagram in February, sharing a sonogram and the caption, 'Our Rainbow Baby. September cannot come sooner ¿¿'

Sources: