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A year ago, David Geffen and Donovan Michaels were embroiled in a bitter split that played out publicly. Michaels, the former model, filed a headline-making lawsuit accusing the billionaire entertainment executive of forcing him to undergo painful laser hair removal and dental work — then abandoning him after Michaels got sober.
But sources tell Page Six Hollywood that the pair looked very much reconciled during a recent outing aboard Geffen’s 454-foot superyacht.
In June, the two were unexpectedly photographed together on the vessel. Those photos didn’t show any overt displays of affection, but they did appear to be cordial.
Their reunion in October caught many in the industry off guard. “The heart wants what the heart wants,” an insider familiar with the on-board drama told us. Representatives for Geffen and Michaels were contacted for comment.
The surprise rapprochement represents a sharp reversal for a relationship that had soured dramatically after Michaels filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court in July 2025, a filing that aired intimate and raucous allegations about life aboard Geffen’s yacht, Rising Sun.
Their romance was portrayed in the suit as something like an alternate “Pretty Woman” narrative. Geffen, 83, whose net worth is estimated at $9.7 billion and who is 50 years Michaels’ senior, allegedly met the younger man on SeekingArrangements.com — a platform the complaint described as a place “where men like Geffen shop for the vulnerable.”
The filing went on to say that Geffen became aware of Michaels’ difficult background — including neglect, poverty, instability and legal troubles — and, rather than offer compassion or meaningful help, allegedly used those vulnerabilities for his own pleasure. The complaint accused Geffen of treating Michaels as “a young, attractive and gay Black man whose trauma could be exploited for [Geffen’s] personal gratification.”
Michaels’ lawyers also claimed he was exposed to illegal drugs — including cocaine, MDMA and marijuana — during their time together. The complaint asserted that Michaels was expected to partake with Geffen and his circle, who sometimes used hard drugs together on the superyacht, and that Michaels struggled to keep pace with Geffen’s fast lifestyle. According to the filing, Michaels’ prior trauma made him emotionally fragile, and drug use worsened his stress and inner turmoil. Geffen’s attorney, Patricia Glaser — a frequent name in Page Six Hollywood legal coverage — dismissed the lawsuit as “pathetic” at the time.
Michaels withdrew the lawsuit in October 2025, and the parties reached a confidential settlement the following month. Their divorce was officially completed in April of this year.
Before the public split, the relationship appeared stable, at least outwardly for Geffen. But Michaels’ court papers alleged that when he chose to get treatment and embraced the 12-step program through Alcoholics Anonymous, his move toward sobriety drove a wedge between him and Geffen.
“Geffen did not want a healthier Michaels. He wanted control and submission,” the complaint claimed. Geffen has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Despite that rocky history, insiders say the lively social scene is back for the thirty-something Michaels. “Wasn’t doing molly with celebrities Step 17 of AA?” joked one source familiar with the dynamics between Geffen and Michaels.
Rising Sun’s guest list has included high-profile figures such as Bob Iger, Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Friends close to the couple reportedly hope to move past the 2025 lawsuit and see them revive their relationship.
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Ellis McDowell is a trend analyst with a sharp eye for spotting the next big thing in entertainment. With years of experience in digital media and trend forecasting, Nora tracks the movements of influencers, viral content, and entertainment trends. Her insights help shape the stories that captivate our audience.
