EXCLUSIVE: The truth behind her fairytale romance: Renée Zellweger is caught in the middle of a bitter battle between her ex-heroin addict boyfriend and his former wife

• Oscar winner was forced to speak out after shock over her new face
• The 45-year-old Bridget Jones star attributed her new look to her happy life, living with boyfriend Doyle Bramhall II, Sheryl Crow's ex
• But musician Bramhall is in the midst of a court battle with his ex-wife Susannah Melvoin over support for their two daughters
• Singer Susannah claims she's been left broke as he enjoys 'high publicized relationships with wealthy celebrities'
• Bramhall has spoken publicly about recovering from heroin addiction
• Susannah is the former girlfriend of superstar Prince and the inspiration for his classic, Nothing Compares 2 U

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2803853/Ren-e-Zellweger-caught-middle-bitter-battle-ex-heroin-addict-boyfriend-former-wife-threatens-overshadow-different-happy-fulfilling-life.html#ixzz3H054vdPl

When confronted with the global shock over the startling new appearance she showed off on Monday night, Renée Zellweger retorted: 'I'm glad folks think I look different! I'm living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I'm thrilled that perhaps it shows.'

Her happiness, she said, was all down to her boyfriend, musician Doyle Bramhall II.

But it's not all roses and white picket fences as MailOnline can reveal that Oscar winner Renee, 45, has been dragged into a bitter battle between her boyfriend, a self-confessed former heroin addict, and his ex-wife, singer Susannah Melvoin.

While Doyle, 45, is happily ensconced in Renée's home in Montecito, Santa Barbara, Susannah, 50, claims she is struggling for money to allow her to care for their young daughters, India, 12, and Elle, nine.\

The couple, who married in April 1997, split in April 2010 after Doyle struck up a romance with millionaire singer Sheryl Crow. And they will go head-to-head in the continuing row over their finances in court in Los Angeles on November 3.

In court papers seen by MailOnline, Susannah's lawyer states both Doyle and Susannah are $300,000 in debt - and that Susannah is desperate for financial aid.

Her lawyer says she and the girls have been forced to 'endure' media coverage of Doyle and Renee, including pictures of them 'frolicking' in the Hawaiian Ocean.'

The lawyer states: 'The parties separated when Petitioner began a romantic relationship with rock star Sheryl Crow while working on her album (Petitioner moved into Ms Crow's home). When that relationship ended, Petitioner became romantically involved with actress Renee Zelwegger and is now living in Ms Zellwegger's Santa Monica home.

• SHARE PICTURE

Copy link to paste in your message

+17

Courtroom battle: Doyle Bramhall II and his ex-wife, singer Susannah Melvoin in LA in February 2006. Susannah, the former girlfriend of superstar Prince, claims he has not been supporting her or their two young daughters - all while enjoying the high life with his A list girlfriend, Renee Zellweger

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2803853/Ren-e-Zellweger-caught-middle-bitter-battle-ex-heroin-addict-boyfriend-former-wife-threatens-overshadow-different-happy-fulfilling-life.html#ixzz3H05nt94F
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

'While Petitioner has been enjoying highly publicized romantic relationships with wealthy celebrities, Respondent has been left to raise the girls on her own and try to maintain the family residence, without any steady or predictable financial support from Petitioner.

'Respondent has had to rely on the parties' business manager to pay the bills (which has only been done sporadically and without adequate communication to Respondent) and to provide her with funds to survive (arbitrary reductions have occurred).

Indeed, the papers continue: 'Respondent's ATM card was rejected at the grocery store for insufficient funds, she receives multiple delinquent notices for the family's debts and the telephone and cable television at the family residence have recently been turned off.

'All the while, Respondent and the girls have had to endure the widespread media coverage Petitioner and his family girlfriends have received, including recent photographs of Petitioner and Ms Zelwegger frolicking in the ocean in Hawaii.'

Continuing on, Susannah's lawyer claims that Doyle has 'consistently rejected' all efforts to put support orders in place and deal with their 'mounting debts' - despite the fact the singer's financial future is 'completely precarious.'

A source told MailOnline today: 'This has been going on for years and it's been extremely difficult.'

Susannah, a talented performer for whom her former lover Prince penned the hit Nothing Compares 2 U, has made her frustration clear, writing on her Facebook page: 'Just taking a minute to sort the big things in my world.' And in an interview last year, she said: 'I wish I could pay my mortgage.

She said she does not look back, adding: 'But, if I do look back at all, I'm just glad I'm not there anymore. I'm glad I'm where I'm at. Life goes on. I've got the best two babies in the world.'

Renée, forever known as Helen Fielding's beloved Bridget Jones, 'spinster and lunatic', has had a somewhat rocky love life.

.

.

.

.

But her idyllic romance with Doyle is blighted by his continuing battle with his ex-wife.

The Bramhalls sold their LA home last year. However, it's alleged that Doyle refused to release any of the escrow funds, estimated at more than $190,000, to help his ex-wife and their daughters move to a new home.

Susannah's lawyer also claims that Doyle has barely supported his family, even though his own lawyer said he was due to make more than $240,000 for a four-month touring stint with Eric Clapton last year.

Doyle's attorney suggested that she should liquidate her IRA to pay for her moving and living expenses, according to the court papers. Ultimately, Susannah was forced to withdraw funds from a small life insurance policy worth $5,800 as Doyle eventually agreed to release $15,000 in escrow funds to her.

The court papers last year claimed that Doyle and Susannah are $300,000 in debt to the IRS, the FTB (Federal Tax Board) and other creditors.

On Doyle's behalf, in a lawyer's letter filed with the court in March 2013, his lawyer stated the musician had been supporting Susannah and his children 'at the appropriate level' and 'he also wants to share custody, but needs some flexibility due to his career.'

Now ordered to pay $4,332 per month in child support and $6,378 per month in spousal support from December 2013, the couple will again square off in court next month.

Moving in with Bramhall, the star said this week, had helped her recover from exhaustion, adding: 'I did work that allows for being still, making a home, loving someone, learning new things, growing as a creative person and finally growing into myself.'

Renee and Doyle are now believed to be living in Montecito, Santa Barbara, where they live a quiet life far from the spotlight. Renée concentrates on healthy living and when in LA is often seen at SoulCycle spinning classes in Brentwood, dressed down in gym gear and picking up juices and food at Kreation.

Indeed, barring a few public appearances, including at the memorial service in Manhattan for Renée's close friend, designer L'Wren Scott, in May, the Stevie Ray Vaughan exhibit launch at The Grammy Museum in LA in June and turning up to the Austin City Limits 40th Anniversary show in June - they have barely been seen.

So it was a shock when Renée, accompanied by Doyle, turned up at the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel in California on Monday, looking almost unrecognisable with her line-free forehead, altered brow and suspiciously puffy face, although she has never admitted to getting surgery.

As a source at the event told MailOnline: 'Everyone was talking about Renee when she arrived - because no-one thought it was her!'

Small world huh. I'm trying to think of a joke about Zellweger's new face, but I can so uhhhhhhhblaaahhhrrrrrr

He sounds so selfish! I know Susannah must be so stressed out.

People shouldn't be allowed to marry again if they don't take care of responsibilities of the former marriage

I mentioned his affair with Cheryl Crow in another thread but I don't think anybody believed me.

I feel bad for Susannah that she married an addict...I wouldn't be surprised if he's still using too.

babynoz said:

BillieBalloon said:

Why doesnt prince buy her house for her.shed probably refuse his help..pride. but she does gave two kids to think about.

prince dont owe her nothing why dont her kids daddy buy her a house prince wasnt married to her or nor did he father a kid 2 this woman.her problems have nothing in this world 2 do with him she go a sister named wendy let her buy her a house

Man..Doyle really is a d-bag. Susannah will bounce back.

Aren't the Melvoins as a family prett well off? And why cancel her tour obligations with fdeluxe if she needs money?

[Edited 10/27/14 9:20am]

paulludvig said:

Aren't the Melvoins as a family prett well off? And why cancel her tour obligations with fdeluxe if she needs money?

I never had the impression they were rich

I think things came up where she has to be in court

poor susannah. hope she gets free of that ass with the quickness. no one needs that kind of heart ache

[Edited 10/27/14 16:13pm]

cbarnes3121 said:

pld71 said: