David Geffen sued by estranged husband Donovan Michaels, accused of 'exploitation'

David Geffen is being sued by his estranged husband, Donovan Michaels, who is accusing the out gay billionaire of exploitation and breach of contract.

Michaels, 32, filed the lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, alleging that Geffen, 82, exploited a “vulnerable, marginalized young gay Black man” as a “wealthy, powerful white gay billionaire who believed himself untouchable," as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

“Geffen told Michaels he loved him and the two would treat one another as life partners, share all assets equally, and Geffen would support Michaels financially for life," the lawsuit states. "Michaels gave up his dreams — his modeling career, his independence — to dedicate himself fully to this promise.”

Geffen met Michaels on the dating website SeekingArrangements.com, according to the suit, and paid the aspiring model $10,000 for sex their first night together. What started as a sexual relationship turned romantic, and the two married in 2023 with no prenup.

"What Michaels did not know at the time was that this was nothing more than a transaction to Geffen," the filing continues, adding that “like the plot of the movie Trading Places, began treating Michaels as a living social experiment — a trophy to show off to his wealthy friends, under the guise of benevolence.”

Michaels, who grew up in the foster care system, said that Geffen would often make “back-handed insults and put-downs” about his “past and lack of sophistication.” He accused he billionaire of forcing him to get “painful laser treatments and dental treatments," but said that Geffen still “critiqued every aspect of Michaels’ appearance and carefully controlled Michaels with respect to all aspects of his body hygiene."

Michaels also accused Geffen of requiring “sexual access at will, including acts Michaels found degrading," and giving him drugs and alcohol as “tools of coercion — lowering his resistance and increasing his dependency," which resulted in him developing an addiction.

“Rather than respond with empathy or offer genuine support, Geffen saw Michaels as an object of exploitation," the suit reads, adding, "[Geffen] did not want a healthier Michaels. He wanted control and submission. He wanted to be the savior, the white knight, and the ‘top.'”

Geffen filed for divorce in April, citing "irreconcilable differences." Michaels filed a response in May requesting spousal support. The lawsuit claims that Geffen breached an oral agreement between the couple "by denying Michaels full financial support" and demanding that he "immediately vacate the New York residence, which would effectively render Michaels homeless.”

“In addition to evicting Michaels, Geffen also cut him off from his status quo financial support, making it impossible for Michaels to secure an appropriate living situation and provide for his daily necessities," the suit claims.

Geffen has not yet commented publicly on the lawsuit.