Actress Jaime King has expressed profound shock and bewilderment at her husband Austin Sosa's decision to file for divorce, describing the legal action as having "came out of nowhere" and leaving her feeling completely "blindsided." The news emerges just months after the couple confirmed their engagement and follows revelations of a secret marriage, adding another layer of complexity to King's highly publicised personal life.
A Sudden Legal Move
According to initial reports from TMZ on Thursday, based on online court records, investor Austin Sosa has formally initiated divorce proceedings. The specific filings were not immediately available for public scrutiny at the time of the initial report. This development arrives a mere six months after King herself announced their engagement in September of last year, having been spotted with a diamond ring in July. She had previously shared on the Juicy Scoop podcast that the pair met through mutual friends.
'I Was With Him The Night Before'
In a statement to Page Six, the Hart of Dixie star provided a poignant account of her reaction. "I was completely blindsided by the divorce filing, which came out of nowhere," King revealed. She added a particularly striking detail, noting, "I was with Austin the night before it became public, and while, like many marriages, we had normal challenges, I genuinely believed we were working on our relationship."
King was also keen to address and dismiss swirling rumours regarding her personal connections. She firmly denied previous speculation about a romantic relationship with actor and hotelier Vikram Chatwal. "Any recent interactions being referenced publicly were strictly professional business meetings and have no connection to this private matter," she clarified.
Focus on Family and Privacy
Amidst this personal turmoil, Jaime King emphasised her current priorities. She stated her intention to remain focused on her professional work and, most importantly, on her two children: James, aged 11, and Leo, aged nine, whom she shares with her ex-husband, director Kyle Newman. The couple divorced in 2023.
"This is deeply personal and should remain private, and I hope people will stop making assumptions — particularly ones that unfairly and disproportionately scrutinize women simply for doing their jobs," King explained, making a pointed comment on public perception.
Backdrop of a Custody Dispute
Sosa's divorce filing occurs against the backdrop of a protracted and difficult custody battle between King and Newman. Court documents made public in March 2025 revealed that Newman was awarded full physical custody of their sons. This decision was reportedly based on King allegedly not completing a mandated six-month drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme. The programme's requirements included weekly testing, participation in a 12-step programme, and a 26-week parenting course.
While the former couple maintains joint legal custody, the court granted Newman "tie-breaking authority" in decisions concerning the children. King addressed this painful chapter during an appearance on Jana Kramer's Whine Down podcast in April 2025, marking a rare public discussion of the matter.
"I'm extremely grateful, and at the same time, the system is really unfair. And I think that it’s really important to support the structure of family and kindness. Just be kind. Be kind and tell the truth," she reflected, highlighting the emotional toll of the legal process while stressing her primary concern for her children's wellbeing.
