Custody Battle Heats Up: Rumer Willis' Ex Accuses Her of Exploiting Daughter in Commercial

The custody dispute between Rumer Willis and Derek Richard Thomas just took another sharp turn—this time centering on whether their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta, was inappropriately used in a paid advertisement.

In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Thomas claims that Willis, 37, featured Louetta in a commercial containing adult sexual humor that had no business having a toddler as its centerpiece. According to his filing, Thomas sent Willis a written objection on February 22, 2026, explicitly stating his non-consent to their daughter appearing in paid or promotional advertising. He alleges that Willis ignored his message, responding only two days later—and apparently not to address his concerns.

The escalation highlights just how fractured things have become between the former couple. Willis, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, and Thomas began dating in 2022 and welcomed Louetta the following year. They separated in 2024, and since then, the back-and-forth over custody and visitation has grown increasingly contentious. Willis has claimed that Thomas engaged in domestic violence, coercive control, and argumentative behavior that traumatized their daughter. Thomas flatly denies these allegations, insisting the relationship was“unhealthy”but mutual in its ending, with no violence or intimidation on his part.

Through his attorney Michael J. Kretzmer, Thomas has made clear he won’t litigate this case in the press, but the court filings tell a different story—one where every decision Willis makes regarding Louetta is now fair game for scrutiny. His concerns about the commercial suggest that even seemingly routine parenting choices have become flashpoints in a larger battle over who gets decision-making power.

The Los Angeles Superior Court will ultimately decide these disputes, but for now, what’s clear is that the disagreements extend well beyond the usual custody questions. They touch on fundamental questions about how each parent views raising their daughter—and whether they can agree on anything at all. This case underscores how messy celebrity custody battles can become when trust has completely eroded.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.