Christina Ricci Opens Up About Lack of Support From Ex-Husband During Son's Early Years

Christina Ricci Says Ex Husband James Heerdegen Didn t Help With Anything When Son Freddie Was a Baby 431

Christina Ricci, James Heerdegen. Getty Images (2)

Christina Ricci opened up about her struggles with raising her son, Freddie, as an infant. She revealed that she never had the chance to sleep train him because she had to go back to work when he was just 2 months old. Unfortunately, her ex-husband, James Heerdegen, did not offer any help with caring for their son. This left Ricci to handle all the night duties on her own, while also working long hours on camera. As a result, she had to co-sleep with Freddie and breastfeed him whenever he wanted in order to get enough rest to be able to work the next day.

She shared, "I was pretty much handling everything by myself, which was challenging, but I just kept pushing through. I constantly remind myself, 'This is only temporary.'"

Ricci and Heerdegen got married in 2013 and had Freddie, who is now 9 years old, less than a year later. After six years of marriage, Ricci filed for an emergency protective order in July 2020 following allegations of domestic violence. The order was approved, and Ricci filed for divorce the next month. It was confirmed in April 2021 that Ricci was granted sole legal custody of Freddie, while Heerdegen was given visitation rights. Their divorce was finalized in December 2022.

After parting ways with Heerdegen, Ricci found love again with celebrity hairstylist Mark Hampton. They tied the knot in October 2021, and their daughter, Cleopatra, was born just two months later. During a conversation with Doherty on Monday, Ricci shared how raising her second child has been a unique journey.

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"Now I have an amazing husband who goes above and beyond," she happily shared. "When my daughter was just 2 months old, I returned to work and had to shoot on Wednesdays in Romania. Mark took care of everything every single night, allowing me to rest and be ready for work the next day. Having a supportive partner like him made a huge difference and made things much easier this time around."

Hampton has been incredibly helpful in various ways. During an episode of the “Unqualified” podcast in August 2022, Ricci shared with host Anna Faris how her husband taught her about trust in a relationship.

She mentioned, “I would say — and this might sound annoying and silly — but I think the first time I truly experienced healthy love was in my current marriage with Hampton. Many of my past relationships were influenced by unhealthy patterns I was seeking.”

Ricci finds it difficult to reminisce about her past relationships with fondness now that she is with Hampton. She believes that things that are not beneficial should not be labeled as love.

After selling her beloved fashion items during her divorce from Heerdegen, Hampton stood by Ricci's side. Ricci mentioned in an interview with the Sunday Times in November 2022 that she has stopped investing in fashion. Meanwhile, Hampton has been scouring eBay for vintage magazine covers.

Ricci shared that Mark was surprised to learn that she hadn't saved anything, but he took the initiative to search for her old magazine covers on eBay. She expressed gratitude for his thoughtful gesture, mentioning that it was a lovely way for him to reassure her that it is okay to keep sentimental items.

Editor's P/S:

Christina Ricci's candid account of her struggles as a single mother is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her resilience and determination to provide for her son despite the lack of support from her ex-husband is a testament to her strength. The article highlights the importance of having a supportive partner in parenting, as Ricci's second marriage has brought her the stability and assistance she lacked in her previous relationship. Hampton's willingness to take on night duties and allow Ricci to rest has made a significant difference in her ability to balance work and motherhood.

Ricci's experience also sheds light on the prevalence of unhealthy relationship patterns, particularly in the entertainment industry. Her realization that she had been seeking validation in relationships that were not beneficial is a powerful reminder to prioritize self-worth and to recognize red flags early on. The article serves as a reminder that love should be supportive, empowering, and free from unhealthy dynamics. share the responsibilities of parenting, enabling mothers to thrive both personally and professionally.