Promoting Sundown’s Amanza Smith’s Lacking Ex Ralph Brown: What We Know

Credit score: Courtesy of Netflix; Inset: Scott Duffy/YouTube

‘Promoting Sundown’ Star Amanza Smith’s Lacking Ex-Husband Ralph Brown: Every part We Know

Whereas Promoting Sundownfollowers obtained some perception into Amanza Smith’s messy relationship along with her ex-husband, Ralph Brown, on the Netflix actuality collection, there’s much more to the story — and Us Weekly is breaking down all the pieces to learn about his disappearance.

Smith and Brown exchanged vows in July 2010. The twosome, who share daughter Noah and son Braker, known as it quits after two years of marriage in 2012. She now claims she hasn’t heard from Brown since September 2019.

“My ex-husband and I’ve been divorced since my children had been 1 and a pair of,” Smith defined on Promoting Sundown. “So, for the previous seven years, they’ve spent per week with Daddy and per week with Mommy. And Daddy’s an incredible dad, he’s very current, however over the previous couple of months stuff has actually hit the fan and he’s mainly simply off the grid. And we don’t actually know what’s happening. I simply don’t have solutions for them.”

She advised Leisure Tonight that the previous New York Giants star was an “wonderful father” earlier than he went MIA. “After we obtained divorced, I used to be adamant that we’ve 50/50 [custody], as a result of I am not that form of particular person that may ever need my children to by no means see their father as a lot as they see me. ‘You will have two good dad and mom. I would like you to expertise each of them,'” Smith stated. “What I am studying is when you go into it with it 50/50, it is actually arduous to then change to full custody.”

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Smith additionally opened as much as Us Weekly about her scenario in August 2020.

“I’ve solely been a single mother for, like, lower than a 12 months,” the fact TV character advised Us. “Their dad was very a lot concerned. And so each week, I had one full week to myself and I dove in further work as a lot as I wished to. If I wished to go on a date, exit with a good friend or no matter, that’s once I would do it. So this has been a complete change.”

Whereas Brown has but to publicly touch upon Smith’s interviews or actuality present, he addressed his ex-wife and his present state in a November 2019 courtroom declaration obtained by Us.

“In 2010, my NFL profession ended and my psychological and bodily ache from taking part in soccer for 21 years of my life was already inflicting me nice ache. Whereas I used to be married to Ms. Smith I had a number of bodily and psychological breakdowns in tears of ache and anguish in entrance of Ms. Smith stating that I didn’t know what was mistaken with me as a result of I felt my bodily extremities, physique and cognitive talents had been seeming to atrophy extensively,” he said. “I didn’t perceive on the time what was occurring and I used to be very scared due to the a number of breakdowns, intense bodily ache and psychological struggles that quite a few retired NFL gamers expertise and I had seen on TV and skim a number of articles.”

Scroll by means of for a breakdown of what we learn about Smith and Brown:

Credit score: Courtesy of Amanza Smith/Instagram

When She Final Noticed Him

The true property agent advised Leisure Tonight that Brown disappeared two weeks into her filming season 2 of the Netflix actuality present in 2019. Smith advised E! Information in August 2020 that the final time her ex was noticed was August 26, 2019, when he introduced their children to highschool in Los Angeles.

“On my method to college my fingers had been shaking from the night time earlier than and I had excessive power migraines. I almost had a breakdown and wished to yell within the automotive, however I managed to maintain it collectively for the youngsters,” he wrote in his courtroom docs.

Credit score: Courtesy of Netflix

The Final Time She Heard From Him

Based on Smith, Brown reached out to her on September 1, 2019, lower than per week after he dropped the youngsters off at college. “He despatched me an e-mail, and he stated, ‘My scenario isn’t good proper now. I can’t financially deal with the kids. It’s not secure for them to be with me. It’s essential hold them till my scenario adjustments,’” she claimed on to podcast host Amanda Hirsch.

Credit score: Courtesy of Amanza Smith/Instagram

Her Claims

“I’ve had a minimum of 20 of his ex-NFL teammates attain out to me saying, ‘Hey, have you ever heard from him? Have you learnt what is going on on?'” Smith advised ET in August 2020. “His greatest good friend of 20 years has no concept. He is alive someplace as a result of in any other case, we might know. There are such a lot of individuals actively making an attempt and there is simply no reply.”

She advised Hirsch that she is aware of he’s alive as a result of they traced again an tackle after he submitted a change-of-address kind to the courts.

Credit score: Scott Duffy/YouTube

His Claims

“Being a mother or father has been the toughest factor due to the ages of the youngsters since 2012 once I filed for divorce. I can’t stroll or stand for too lengthy or my knees and or decrease again will begin to damage very unhealthy,” he wrote within the declaration. “Ms. Smith has continually texted me on the week she has the youngsters and the times when I’ve the youngsters and it has brought on me nice stress which has brought on a number of psychological breakdowns due to her incapacity to go away me alone even when I’ve the youngsters for my week. … The intensive ache in my accidents has been so overwhelming I’ve not wished to get off the bed at occasions and do something for a number of years. I’ve struggled with melancholy for a few years after my retirement because of this steady ache.”

Credit score: Courtesy of Amanza Smith/Instagram

The Cash Claims

Smith alleged on the “Not Skinny However Not Fats” podcast that Brown “paid little one help for a 12 months and a half” after their break up “after which stopped” as a result of he “blew by means of his cash” not lengthy after he retired from soccer.

In his courtroom paperwork, Brown claimed he was borrowing cash from household and associates to “help and provide the youngsters with their wants even at occasions when I didn’t have cash or meals for myself.”

He went on to assert that he was compelled to maneuver out of his condo in March 2019 amid his debt, writing, “This hardship brought on the youngsters nice stress to know we’ve misplaced our dwelling. This devastated me and introduced me to a decrease place in my life.”

After he discovered a short lived dwelling for six months, he ended up sleeping in his automotive.

“My funds had been disappearing so quick, meals was scarce, my bodily physique was worn out and I couldn’t catch as much as the times. However I continued as a result of I used to be making an attempt to be a father and despite the fact that my incapacity funds had been disappearing which was my solely revenue,” he wrote.

Credit score: Scott Duffy/YouTube

His Well being Battle

In his paperwork, Brown detailed the “accumulative results of the bodily harm and concussions” he endured from his time within the NFL, together with “ringing in my head, power migraines, vivid lights, reminiscence loss … joint ache that may be insufferable in addition to offers me anxiousness, depressive ideas, ache in my chest and trembling fingers.” He believes he could undergo from power traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

He additionally stated Smith has made him really feel “suffocated” prior to now.

“The scenario since assembly Ms. Smith has brought on me nice stress, sleepless nights, coronary heart ache, anxiousness, lack of cash, lack of time, lack of associates, anguish, power migraines, abdomen aches, lack of sanity, dizziness lack of with the ability to be in the correct way of thinking, concern,” he stated.

Smith acknowledged his well being considerations to ET: “In my thoughts, it is like, OK, if he is had some form of psychological breakdown or — he performed within the NFL for 11 years, I’ve to marvel if perhaps it is CTE. These are actual [issues].”

Credit score: Courtesy of Amanza Smith/Instagram

His Household’s Claims

Brown made it clear within the docs that he wasn’t pleased with Smith for reaching out to his household. “[She] harassed, stalked my dad and mom by way of textual content messages and emails my brother-in-law who’s a pastor by way of social media publicly and as soon as once more my sister not too long ago in November,” he stated within the docs. “She stated ‘the place the f—ok is Ralph? My children are unhappy! Your loved ones is evil. You’re a household of God?! Disgrace on you. My infants are hurting. Disgrace on you.’”

Smith, for her half, spoke about Brown’s household on Hirsch’s podcast. “Anytime I attain out to anybody,I get blocked,” she stated, noting that their children had been “very shut” to his aspect of the household. “I’ve needed to choose up the items and mend little damaged hearts.”

Credit score: Scott Duffy/YouTube

Why He’s Not a Lacking Particular person

Whereas Smith filed a lacking particular person report in November 2019, she was advised the e-mail Brown despatched two months prior affected the case.

“I used to be redirected to an investigator in [the police] workplace,” she advised E! Information in August 2020. “However after reviewing my case they got here again to me stating that he was not a lacking particular person as a result of there was no signal of foul play — and he had additionally despatched me an e-mail telling me that it was ‘not secure for the kids to be with him proper now,’ and I would want to maintain them till his scenario modified.”

In his declaration, Brown stated Smith filed the report “understanding I used to be not OK and understanding I used to be not lacking.” 

Credit score: Courtesy of Amanza Smith/Instagram

Her Response to His Courtroom Assertion

“That is the primary I’m listening to of this courtroom assertion. Nevertheless, the actual fact is that Ralph deserted his two kids in August 2019 with no phrase,” Smith advised Us in an announcement on October 14. “I did all the pieces I might to seek out him for his or her sake as any mom would. I contacted each member of his household by any means doable. At first, I used to be very good and well mannered however because the months glided by, I did get upset and indignant that he had left his kids with no clarification and no concept as to his whereabouts.”

The fact star confirmed that the final time she heard from her ex was in September 2019, when she acquired an e-mail concerning their kids. “He wrote, ‘It isn’t secure that the youngsters be with me. You’ll have to hold the youngsters till the scenario adjustments,’” she defined. “I did what he stated, anticipating him to vary his thoughts within the close to future, understanding he should have been going by means of one thing severe.”

After going to the police following his disappearance, Smith advised Us that it’s “ridiculous” for the previous soccer participant to “declare that I brought on him ‘anxiousness’ by looking for out the place he was and if he was ever going to see his kids once more. It’s stunning to listen to him describe himself as a sufferer when he has two young children who don’t have any father. Understanding now that he made this assertion, really makes me actually upset and unhappy to know that he knew how determined I used to be to seek out him and the way distraught his kids had been and all he might consider was himself.”

The mom of two concluded that she’s had “one 12 months of sleepless nights” worrying about what occurred to the daddy of her kids. “In fact I didn’t go away any rock unturned in my effort to seek out him when simply now it’s clear he didn’t wish to be discovered,” she added.

Credit score: Netflix; YouTube

Nonetheless Trying to find Solutions

The realtor advised Us in February 2021 that it’s been 17 months since she’s heard from Brown.

“I want solutions. I wish to know the place you’re for no matter cause — in case you are mentally unstable or should you’re on medication. I can assist get you rehabilitated in order that my kids can have the model of their father again that all of us knew and beloved,” Smith advised Us. “This sounds so morbid, however it’s nearly like if he had died and we knew about it and we discovered … you mourn it. It’s that everlasting. That is, like, open-ended. It’s abandonment.”

She added: “If he confirmed up on my doorstep, I don’t know, I in all probability would both freeze in shock or break down sobbing, hug him … however [my reaction] wouldn’t be anger.”

Credit score: Courtesy Amanza Smith/Instagram

In search of Sole Custody

Smith advised Us in February 2021 that she is in search of sole custody of their two children. “It’s a course of and it prices cash and it’s a complete factor,” she stated. “I’m like, ‘I’ve to pay cash now to combat in courtroom to get the youngsters that belong to me?’ I’m a little bit bit careworn.”

Credit score: Courtesy Amanza Smith/Instagram

The Children’ Standing

Based on Smith, her son and daughter can’t go to remedy with out Brown’s consent.

“I talked to somebody [who] offers me form of suggestions and pointers,” she stated. “They’re wonderful children. They actually might be flunking out of faculty, cursing, appearing out, doing chores and it could make sense, however they are not any of that. They’re essentially the most, well-behaved, well-mannered children.”

Credit score: Scott Duffy/YouTube

Ralph Allegedly Has a Girlfriend

Smith advised Us in February 2021 that Brown was seeing somebody earlier than he went MIA.

“I discovered her Instagram at one level, like a 12 months in the past. And I used to be blocked already from my Instagram, however I used to be like, ‘Oh, I’ve a enterprise one for my inside design.’ So, I went on from that and I did not even trouble sending a DM. I simply commented underneath her newest posts, ‘The place’s Ralph, you had been the final one seen with my children. They’re hurting. They’re unhappy. We’d like solutions,’” Smith advised Us. “After which the following day I used to be blocked. It is simply so loopy.”

Credit score: Courtesy of Amanza Smith/Instagram

Custody Change

In June 2021, Smith filed a petition in search of sole authorized and bodily custody of the pair’s two kids, claiming that she has not acquired “one dime of help since about November 2014.” Her declaration additionally alleged that she “could have a good suggestion as to the place [Brown] is” after making “a number of efforts” to find his location.

Credit score: Courtesy Amanza Smith/Instagram

A Massive Win

In September 2021, Smith was awarded sole custody of the 2 kids she shares with Brown. Authorized paperwork obtained by Us additionally said that the previous athlete has “no visitation” till he supplies correct data, together with an up to date contact tackle, after not being concerned within the case in two years. 

“I’m relieved that this lengthy course of is over. It’s been extremely arduous on me and particularly the kids,” Smith solely advised Us in an announcement following the authorized choice. “We’ll by no means be ‘over’ the absence of their father, however hopefully we are able to transfer ahead in a extra constructive method now that we’re unhindered by the authorized obstacles that prevented me from making the selections which are greatest for us as a household of three.”

Credit score: Courtesy Amanza Smith/Instagram

Nonetheless Off the Grid

“It is precisely the way it was once we left off,” Smith revealed in regards to the standing of her lacking ex in an August 2022 unique interview with Us. “We have not heard a peep. There isn’t any emails, there is not any telephone calls. The household hasn’t reached out, the dad and mom — nothing. I’ve stopped making an attempt to succeed in out to his household. I’ve ceased all makes an attempt to [communicate].” 

Although the TV star stated messages she despatched to her ex’s mom had been “checked,” she nonetheless heard “no response” from Brown or anybody associated to him. 

“I am not saying that that chapter is closed as a result of it would by no means be till we hear from him,” Smith continued. “However for now, we have put it behind us and we have simply accepted this as our new actuality and we have moved previous it and we’re doing fairly nicely contemplating.” 

Credit score: Todd Williamson/E! Leisure/NBC

Sharing Her Story

Smith solely advised Us in December 2022 that Brown was nonetheless “undoubtedly not within the image” after she was awarded sole custody. “It was three years on the finish of August since we have seen him,” she stated. “It is OK. I have been actually blessed with quite a lot of alternatives since that occurred. The timing was piss poor. I signed on to do a actuality present after which he disappeared. I in all probability would not have signed on to do a actuality present had I recognized that that was what was going to occur. Nevertheless, had I not [done Selling Sunset], our lives can be very totally different. I do not know that I’d be capable of be supporting them the identical method that I’m now. So, all the pieces occurs for a cause.”

The fact star added that individuals have reached out to her “with related tales” after she opened up about her expertise on Promoting Sundown. “Sadly, I am not the one one which one thing like this has occurred to,” she advised Us. “So, if I’ve to be the voice and platform to encourage different ladies going by means of this, I’ll take these reins with honor.”