Rumer Willis’s ex-boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas has accused her of exploiting their three-year-old daughter, Louetta, in the latest update to their bitter custody battle.
After Thomas and Willis, the daughter of actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, broke up following the birth of their only daughter in 2023, the custody battle over Louetta began in July 2025 when Thomas requested joint legal and physical custody of the girl along with visitation rights.
Willis, 37, and Moore filed legal documents in Los Angeles last month opposing Thomas’ request for a child custody order, with Willis seeking full physical custody and accusing Thomas of “incessant domestic abuse.”
Now, Thomas has denied all claims of his alleged abuse and instead pointed the finger back at Willis in a new court filing, saying: “Respondent’s coordinated media strategy and its harm to Louetta are a serious concern.”
Thomas went on to accuse Willis of using their daughter to make money with commercials and said that in February, he sent Willis “a written objection to Louetta’s appearance in paid commercial advertising, noting a specific ad which contained adult sexual humor that was not appropriate context for a two-year-old.”
His complaint refers to Willis’ toilet paper commercial for Plant Paper, which begins with the actor saying, “I want to talk to you about anal… health.” Later in the ad, Louetta appears with her mom and speaks about the product.
Thomas said that he never consented to their child appearing in sponsored content online and in other advertisements. He said that when he raised concerns about the toilet paper ad, Willis did not respond.
Representatives for Willis did not return The Independent’s request for comment.
Willis alleged in her filing that throughout their relationship, Thomas engaged in “ongoing coercive control through prolonged circular verbal attacks that he is unable or unwilling to stop.”
She accused him of behaving in a “bizarre, erratic, scary and chaotic” manner in front of their young daughter in alleged episodes that left Louetta “traumatized” and “crying a lot,” which is why she argued against him having overnight visits or time with their daughter.
“I deny every characterization,” Thomas argued in his filing. “In every documented instance I am calm, clear, and focused on Louetta. There is no police report, no restraining order, no child welfare referral, no court finding of any kind. Respondent alleges coercive control. I deny this entirely.”
When reached by The Independent, Thomas’ attorney Mike Kretzmer said simply: “Derek Thomas is a caring, devoted and loving father. We will try our case in court.”
A custody hearing in the case is scheduled for June 9.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org