Idris Elba’s ‘secret’ second wife slam actor, claims he was told to dump her to save his 'career'

Idris Elba’s ‘secret’ second wife, "Sonya Hamlin" who was married to the actor for just several weeks, has opened up about the pair’s relationship. US property lawyer Sonya Hamlin, 44, claims he dumped her for the sake of his career. 

They first met in 2006 when he had made a name for himself appearing in The Wire after being introduced by a mutual friend.

Just months after meeting they wed in Las Vegas.

"People were telling him he was going to ruin his career," she explained. "He was being told it was an important part of his image to be a single sex symbol in Hollywood and being married would damage that."

She added to The Mail on Sunday: "It was very sad. Idris and I were madly in love, but he was getting a lot of flak for being married. Everyone was like, 'Dude, you’re the hottest sex symbol!'

"'It wasn’t the right look', that’s what they were telling him. I wanted to save the marriage."

Sonya adds that weeks after they wed, the actor - who was also married to make-up artist Hanne Norgaard from 1999 to 2003 - decided he wanted to end things, believing friends had told him he’d be better off with a glamorous Hollywood actress than a lawyer.

 

While speaking about his relationships, Idris previously said his partners can be open to criticism.

"You see actors with models and actresses, and it’s so cliched. I’d rather date someone who’s regular," he shared.

"But what happens is that she faces criticism like, 'Why her? She’s Miss Ordinary.”’

 

The Hollywood star, who has 22-month-old son Winston with the makeup artist, moved out of the home they shared in South West London recently.