Christina Ricci may be a Hollywood actress, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had to make sacrifices or get inventive with her income during hard times. The Yellowjackets star recently revealed that she sold off her Chanel bag and jewelry collection, along with other luxury goods, when she went through her divorce from James Heerdegen in 2020.
Though she didn’t go into detail about her first marriage, the actor hinted that her 2020 divorce and custody battle took a lot out of her, both emotionally and financially. “Certain traumas in life go along with financial traumas, extended court situations, custody situations, fighting restraining orders,” she reportedly told the Sunday Times Style magazine in a profile published on Sunday. She explained that she used to have “quite a Chanel handbag collection” but “sold a lot of things,” implying that she simply did what she needed to do to fund her multiple court battles. “I’m absolutely fine, there’s no issue,” she clarified. “I learnt to use these investment pieces in different ways. I also had a Chanel Fine Jewelry collection that I put to good use.”
Ricci and Heerdegen split in July 2020 amid allegations of domestic abuse, with Ricci being granted an emergency protective order against her ex. She was later awarded full custody of their son, Freddie, and was granted a restraining order against Heerdegen in January of 2021. As reported by People at the time, Ricci’s filings for a restraining order alleged “severe physical and emotional abuse,” which Heerdegen denied.
Speaking with the Sunday Times, Ricci alluded to her marriage to Heerdegen, saying, “It took me a long time to admit to myself what was going on, what it should be called. Denial is very strong.” She added that, while she isn’t ready to go into detail about what happened, she felt it was important to share what she could, including how she funded her divorce and legal proceedings. “I tell my story because I know that, having been in situations like the one I was in, I searched for success stories, stories of people who could get out, could get over it and just be okay.” She continued, “I do think it is important that we have examples for other women — that as scary as it is, changing your life and saving yourself is the only choice.”
Ricci may be down a few purses, but, per her interview, she’s also been “finding my own self-worth and position and strength and power.” She’s now married Mark Hampton in October of 2021, and she welcomed their daughter, Cleopatra, in December. She’s also starring on a hit show, and gearing up for the release of Netflix’s Wednesday.