Season 16 of Real Housewives of Atlanta introduces us to a new Bravo star via Kelli Ferrell. Kelli will aid in many storylines this season. However, one of these narratives will be up close and personal, as Kelli went through a tough-as-nails divorce from her ex, Chuvalo Mark Ferrell.
Kelli is a cookbook author, celebrity chef, TV personality, and restauranteur. Therefore, she is used to all kinds of press. Even still, personal headlines hit differently, as Kelli has experienced, being that her divorce was messy.
So, who is her ex, and why did Kelli and Chuvalo divorce? Will we hear more about this chaos during RHOA Season 16? Let us dive into all things Chuvalo now to address these questions.
The marital rise and fall of Kelli Ferrell and Chuvalo Mark Ferrell
Kelli and Chuvalo were married for 11 years before calling the time of death on their marriage in 2022. They have three daughters: Chance, Chasiti, and Chelsi. Kelli also has a fourth daughter named Chloe from a previous relationship. Chloe is the oldest of the bunch.
Their divorce lasted 2 years, 8 months, and 22 days. But last September, Kelli shared on Instagram that their battle was over. Speaking in third person, Kelli penned a letter online, congratulating herself on how far she has come.
“Some of your friends gossiped, and some came through when you needed them the most,” Kelli began, making me wonder if any of the ladies on RHOA had her back during her battle. And if not, why?
“Your test was your testimony. GOD had to [en]sure you could handle everything you have prayed for before He sent you the biggest blessing you’ve been asking for. Those last months of hell were your preparation for the most beautiful life that you so DESERVE,” Kelli stressed.
Kelli ended her post on a high, reminding her followers that hard-fought battles often arrive before our biggest blessings in life. Then, in all caps, Kelli penned, “YOU ARE OFFICIALLY DIVORCED.”
Chuvalo Mark Ferrell shared a contemptuous divorce battle with Kelli Ferrell
When Kelli presents at the start of RHOA Season 16, her divorce from Chuvalo will still be underway.
Kelli listed their date of marriage as August 20, 2011. Their separation occurred in January 2022, and yes, “no hope for reconciliation” was listed.
Chuvalo responded to their divorce in June 2022. He also admitted that he and Kelli were unable to resolve their issues. However, he did contest that their separation happened in 2021, not 2022.
Their marital assets were worth $1.7 million, including their restaurant, home furnishings, cars, and various luxury items collected during their union. As for their children, Kelli asked for sole custody, child support, and attorney fees. She also filed a restraining order to prohibit Chuvalo from selling or transferring any of their communal property while their divorce proceedings were underway.
But Chuvalo demanded joint physical and legal custody of their children. He also argued that he and Kelli are “self-supporting,” so neither should get spousal support.
In 2023, the exes reached a temporary custody agreement, with Kelli maintaining physical custody while sharing joint legal custody of their daughters. Chuvalo also had to pay Kelli a monthly child support check, and this is where their legal battles stemmed.
Chuvalo Mark Ferrell made headlines during his battle with Kelli Ferrell
Divorces happen. Yet, some are far easier than others. Take Chuvalo and Kelli, for example, whose divorce proceedings included a prison cell.
Throughout their drawn-out divorce, both parties accused each other of alleged misdeeds regarding their joint finances and ventures. However, in June 2022, a judge ruled in favor of Kelli. Kelli won ownership of their restaurant, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles. Meanwhile, Chuvalo lost this battle, as the court ordered he pay Kelly back $420,000, which he allegedly withdrew from their account.
Chuvalo contested this decision. He claimed the money he withdrew was supposed to be used to construct another restaurant location. Then, Kelli had to file a motion for contempt against her ex, as he allegedly failed to follow these orders. The courts agreed with Kelli, finding Chuvalo in contempt.
Chuvalo was taken into custody in January 2024 and released shortly after in February. Despite his stay away, Chuvalo still failed to pay child support for February, March, April, May, and June. According to InTouch, on August 7, the judge ordered Chuvalo jailed until he paid $14,889. He exited on August 14 after posting a $15,000 bond.
For his part, Chuvalo remained (mostly) quiet. But, he did speak through his attorney, stating that his focus remains on his family. Likewise, Chuvalo noted that he dislikes Kelli involving their children in “public appearances and on television” without his consent.
What else do we know about Chuvalo Mark Ferrell?
Now that Kelli and Chuvalo are divorced, Kelli is ready to move forward. But before we tune in to RHOA Season 16, is there anything else we can discuss about her ex, Chuvalo? This answer is yes.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Chuvalo is an “Entrepreneurial Visionary: Riding Culinary Excellence and Musical Mastery,” as stated in his bio. With only 20 connections and 21 followers, this landing page feels borderline unloved. However, Chuvalo does have one job listing here. He owns Blak on Blak Enterprise, an independent record label that hones in on indie artists across the globe.
On Instagram, Blak on Blak Enterprise heavily promotes a young Florida artist named Smakka Bihh. Her latest bop, I’m Different, sits just above.
On his personal Instagram, however, Chuvalo calls himself a “Creator, Restaurateur, Proud Father, [and a Virgo], [who is] Building dreams, one dish at a time.” His bio rings true, as Chuvalo recently opened Uncle Butch’s Chicken -N- Waffles, a brunch spot in Conyers, Georgia.
We are sure to hear more once RHOA Season 16 drops with Kelli attached.
Real Housewives of Atlanta is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED TO MEET KELLI? DO YOU THINK CHUVALO WILL APPEAR ON RHOA?
