Maralee Nichols breaks silence on relationship with Tristan Thompson
Los Angeles, California – Fitness model Maralee Nichols is speaking out one day after a Texas judge tossed out Tristan Thompson's paternity suit against her.
Nichols has broken her silence about her ongoing paternity and child support legal battles with Thompson (30), who she alleges is the father of her newborn son.
In a statement made to E! News, Nichols said, "I am providing this statement because I feel I must defend my character."
"I have seen fake stories, unflattering photos of me, people using photos that are not even me, stating an incorrect occupation and age."
In nearly every report that's come out about Nichols, she's been cited as Thompson's personal trainer, something she now claims to be a slight fabrication.
"These are the facts: I have lived in California since 2019. I am not a personal trainer. I have not worked as a personal trainer for four years; I do fitness modeling. I was never a personal trainer for Tristan," Nichols remarked.
"I saw Tristan in March 2021 around his birthday. He told me he had wanted to see me," she said, later adding, "Houston was one of many nights we spent together. Soon after his birthday weekend in Houston, Tristan invited me to visit him in Boston."
Thompson shares three-year-old daughter True Thompson with his on-again-off-again love interest, Khloé Kardashian.
Differing versions of events
In a separate statement made to People on Friday, Nichols stated, "Tristan told me he was not having a sexual relationship with anyone else; it was not casual sex nor did we have any arrangement. Tristan and I communicated daily and talked on the phone. We would see each other several times a month."
The model also added that Thompson had also asked to see her on Christmas, New Years, and his birthday.
Nichols' account of her relationship with Thompson couldn't be further from the Sacramento Kings player's version of events.
According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Thompson claimed the only way he and Nichols communicated was via Snapchat – solely to pick a time and a place for them to hook up.
"We did not have a serious ongoing relationship. We saw each other sporadically between December 2020 and March 13, 2021," he wrote. "[She] told me that she had been involved with other athletes and understood the limitations of our relationship; to wit, that we might see each other on a sporadic basis for consensual sex only."
Despite Thompson's allegations that Nichols was seeking notoriety and fame, the new mother said she's simply trying to do what's best for her son.
"I do not want any further media attention, nor do I want a romantic relationship with Tristan. My goal is to raise our son in a safe, healthy, loving and private environment."
Thompson has yet to comment on Nichols' latest remarks.
On Thursday, Us Weekly reported that a judge in Texas tossed a parallel paternity suit brought on by Thompson against Nichols.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/instagram/maraleenichols & realtristan13