We were rooting for Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims to go all the way. The couple began dating at the end of 2017 and seamlessly created a blended family with the supermodel’s three kids from her previous marriage to former football player David Patterson and Matt’s twin boys he shares with former Basketball Wives star Gloria Govan.
The couple welcomed a son together named Ashton Barnes in Dec. 2018, and it appeared that Matt had finally grown up and matured. He was a low-key family man by all outward appearances. However, behind the scenes, he and Anansa’s relationship was falling apart.
How did they go from taking super cute family Christmas photos together in Dec. 2019, to Anansa receiving a temporary restraining order? Let’s find out as we take a deeper look at Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims’ messy breakup.
It started out beautifully
Look at these two fine specimens. What could possibly go wrong? Well, no one really knew Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims were even dating at first.
It all started when internet sleuths discovered the couple’s since-deleted baby shower registry in Aug. 2018. Shortly thereafter, Anansa showed up to the Jordyn Woods x Boohoo event with a gut full of baby, Bossip reported.
On Aug. 20, 2018, TMZ stated Matt was Anansa’s baby daddy. A source exclusively told Real Reality Gossip the couple was “very much in love.”
They had a bunch of support from both of their families, which includes Anansa’s mom, supermodel Beverly Johnson. The insider told TMZ Anansa was “really sweet and brings out the best in him. It’s a good pairing.”
Welcoming Ashton Barnes
Ashton Barnes was born in Dec. 2018 and Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims were over the moon. Matt told OK! Magazine since he was no longer playing in the NBA and traveling all the time, he was able to be a more hands-on daddy. He was enjoying the simple things, like having a morning routine with all of his children. “I love having a baby back in the house,” he said.
A sweet gift after battling with his ex
Rewind back to Sept. 2018. Matt Barnes’ ex-wife Gloria Govan was arrested for felony child endangerment when she refused to let Matt leave with their twins after he picked them up from school. In response, Matt received primary custody of the boys and his child support was reduced.
He also filed a restraining order against Gloria. She was ordered to stay at least 100 feet away from him and the boys. The charges against Gloria were later dropped.
But with his child support payments reduced, Matt bought Anansa a brand new Cadillac Escalade for Christmas 2018. In her Instagram caption, the plus-size model wrote, in part, ” I love you Mi Amor! Your love is my favorite gift.”
Anansa threw Matt a surprise birthday party
Things were still going swimmingly in March 2019 when Anansa Sims threw Matt Barnes a surprise party for his 39th birthday.
In the footage obtained by The Jasmine Brand, Anansa leads Matt into the home they share, where dozens of family and friends were waiting to help celebrate with the birthday boy. It was a very sweet gesture, and we were convinced an engagement was right around the corner. But we were wrong!
A shocking breakup
Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims celebrated the holidays by posing for a very cute family photo. And then, on Dec. 31, 2019, Anansa posted a reflective moment on her Instagram.
While sharing her top nine Instagram post of the year, she was open and candid in her caption. Although she said she had a great year, she revealed 2019 was marked with “some pain, some tragic moments.” She added that with God, Matt, and their family, she was able to make it through the “hardest times.”
“I don’t know what 2020 holds for me, but I pray it’s filled with more truth, more joy, more laughter, great health, stability, abundant wealth, peace of mind, more blessings, daily praise & worship, big miracles, true happiness, gratefulness and most importantly Real Love. There is no greater gift than Pure Love. No Bag, Car, House, Sex, Fine Guy, Hot Girl, IG, Jewelry will ever top what you gain when you find Real Love. The best things in life are free.” – Anansa Sims
A source exclusively told Real Reality Gossip that right before New Year’s, Anansa found out Matt was cheating on her. They stopped cohabitating and in Feb 2020, Anansa added the word “single” to her Instagram bio, before quickly deleting it.
Matt pretty much confirmed their breakup on Feb. 22, 2020, when he posted a picture of himself and Ashton on Instagram. The caption read: “Missing my Lil man.. Hopefully I’ll be allowed to see you soon.”
Chile.
Anansa wasn’t having it. She posted and deleted this:
So not only have they broken up, but Anansa has a temporary restraining order against Matt. Although she wants protection from him, she still agreed to allow Matt to have visitation with his son two days per week. A source exclusively provided the below court doc to Real Reality Gossip.
And you thought it was over? Not so fast…
Matt Barnes spills his truth
Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims are now over for good. And Matt decided to set the record straight by detailing his side of things. In his lengthy Instagram post, he revealed he and Anansa got pregnant shortly after meeting. He tried to “play house,” but it just didn’t work out.
He also claims to be unaware of her restraining order but he did reveal they have an upcoming court date. And in a surprising twist, he says he and Gloria are finally at peace. So he makes things right with one ex, only to have another messy situation in his life. Lawd.
Is she being threatened by Matt & his sister?
As if this story isn’t crazy enough, there are rumors that Anansa is supposedly being harassed, stalked, and cyber-stalked by not only Matt but his sister as well!
An insider told The Shade Room that Matt won’t accept “that [Anansa] is completely done with him, not the other way around.” The source stated Matt allegedly claimed he would “even put hands on any man [Anansa] messes with the same way he did Derek Fisher during the whole drama with Gloria.”
The insider is referring to the 2015 incident when Matt’s sons told him Derek Fisher was in their home chilling with Gloria. Matt then proceeded to drive 95 miles to beat the brakes off of Fish. You can read more about that hot mess incident here.
Now back to these stalking allegations. The insider told TSR Matt brought in his sister “for backup,” and his sister has allegedly “been threatening Anansa too.”
Here’s more from the anonymous source:
“He can see his baby, it’s in the restraining order too! She’s not keeping him from his son y’all. The same thing he’s doing to Anansa is what he did to Gloria back when they were together…when he can’t handle a relationship ending, he spazzes out (allegedly). My sis is trying to have a healthy co-parenting relationship with him like she has with her ex!”
The source concluded that Matt “couldn’t stop cheating” on Anansa, which led to their breakup. “When my sis had enough and realized her worth, she ended it for good!” the insider said. Whew. The drama!
Is Matt Barnes dating Cyn Santana?
Before we could get over the shock of Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims being over, rumors emerged that Matt had moved on with reality star Cyn Santana.
According to a snitch who spoke with The Neighborhood Talk, Matt and Cyn were spotted at Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus’ party over the weekend. The rumored couple reportedly walked into the party while holding hands.
The mom of one is on the heels of her breakup from Joe Budden. And she kinda looks like Matt’s type if you squint your eyes. She’s like a mixture of Gloria and Anansa. However, this rumored romance has yet to be confirmed.
Sooo if the insider’s tea to The Shade Room is correct, why would Matt be disgruntled about his relationship with Anansa ending if he has already moved on? Things that make you go hmmm…..
Either way, we wish them the best since there are a lot of children involved in this situation. On the bright side of things, Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims are in good company. Many celebrities have been involved in equally messy relationships.
Messy relationship hall of fame
Angela Simmons has been bouncing in and out of Bow Wow’s life for years. Read more here.
Ashanti still can’t figure out if she wants to be a mom of 10 kids or if she wants to be single. Read more here.
R&B singer The-Dream has finally settled down, but his past dating history is all sorts of messy. Read more here.
Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga’s relationship will go down as one of the weirdest romances ever. Read more here.
Evelyn Lozada…well, just read here and find out for yourself.
Malika Haqq and OT Genasis broke up but are expecting a baby. They seem to be getting along well. Maybe Matt can call OT for some pointers. Read more here.
Jamie Foxx is a playboy for life. Read more here.
Are you surprised that Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims have called it quits?