The Sacramento Kings player issues a statement acknowledging that he is the father of the fitness model's newborn son and to apologize to everyone that he 'hurt or disappointed.'
- Jan 4, 2022
AceShowbiz - Tristan Thompson is officially a father of three. The professional basketball player has confirmed that he is the father of Maralee Nichols' newborn child and he apologized to his ex and other baby mama, Khloe Kardashian, for the embarrassment he's caused to her with the baby drama.
The Canadian athlete took to his Instagram Story on Monday, January 3 to announce that paternity test result has confirmed he fathered a child with Maralee. "Today, paternity test results reveal that I fathered a child with Maralee Nichols," he began his statement.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," the 30-year-old vowed. "Now that paternity has been established I look forward to amicably raising our son. I sincerely apologize to everyone I've hurt or disappointed throughout this ordeal both publicly and privately."
Tristan then publicly apologized to Khloe, whom he was dating when he had an affair with Maralee. "Khloe, you don't deserve this," he wrote. "You don't deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you. You don't deserve the way I have treated you over the years."
"My actions certainly have not lined up with the way I view you. I have the utmost respect and love for you. Regardless of what you may think," he continued expressing his regret, before concluding his lengthy note, "Again, I am so incredibly sorry."
The news of Tristan potentially fathering a third child was first brought into attention after Maralee sued him for child support in December. In his alleged private messages, the NBA star offered $75,000 to buy her silence and made it clear he wanted "zero involvement" with the baby. He later requested a gag order against her baby mama following the text leak.
Maralee is suing Tristan in California, but he wanted to move the case to Texas, where he will likely pay less child support. While he confirmed that he had a months-long affair with Maralee between December 2020 and March 13, 2021, he claimed that did not have sexual intercourse in California during that time. His request to dismiss her suit, however, was tossed by a judge.
