Today we will dig into the turbulent events surrounding the arrest of Ernesto Williams, husband of renowned radio personality Shirley Strawberry.
We aim to shed light on the allegations that led to his arrest, the subsequent fallout, and its impact on Shirley’s personal and professional life.
It navigates through the maze of rumors, leaked phone calls, and public apologies, providing a comprehensive account of the controversy that shook the entertainment world.
Join us as we solve the truth behind the headlines and explore the story that has left fans and followers of the Steve Harvey Morning Show in shock.
Shirley Strawberry’s Marital Life
Shirley Strawberry, a renowned radio personality, was previously married before she met Ernesto Williams. From her first marriage, she has a daughter named Sheridan. However, the identity of her first husband remains undisclosed.
After her first marriage ended, Shirley met Ernesto Williams, an entrepreneur, in 2013. Their meeting was facilitated by a mutual friend who introduced Shirley to Ernesto at his concierge business. The friend quickly left them alone, and Shirley, who is usually guarded, began to open up as they both shared their pasts and hopes for the future. Ernesto asked her on an official date the same day.
In a sweet and memorable moment, Ernesto proposed to Shirley live on their radio program in 2013. This proposal was planned with the help of Shirley’s daughter, Sheridan. Shirley described the experience as “shocking and romantic,”.
The couple got married on January 8, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia. Since their marriage, they have been living a happy life together. However, it’s important to note that there have been controversies surrounding their marriage, including allegations against Ernesto and the legality of their marriage.
Ernesto Williams’ Legal Troubles
Ernesto Williams was arrested in May 2022. The charges against him were severe and included gun possession, theft, fraud, and possession of child pornography.
The details of his arrest reveal that he was caught with a machine gun in a stolen vehicle, which was equipped with a switch and silencer. This led to the charge of gun possession. In addition to this, he was involved in a fraudulent business scheme. He and his partner, Ericka King, were accused of running shell companies, many devoted to business growth, development, and coaching. They allegedly drew in victims with the anticipation of growing their brands, missions, or life goals, and received significant payments for goods and services that were never provided. This led to the charges of theft and fraud.
Most disturbingly, Ernesto was also charged with possession of child pornography. The details of this charge are not publicly available, but it adds to the severity of the crimes he was accused of.
After pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a weapon, Ernesto was sentenced to 7 years in prison. This sentence likely takes into account the multiple charges against him and the severity of his crimes.
Leaked Phone Calls
In a series of leaked phone calls between Shirley Strawberry and her husband, who was in jail at the time, several shocking revelations came to light.
One of the major revelations was that Ernesto was having an affair with a woman named Sonya. These phone calls were made from jail and were monitored, but Ernesto probably didn’t anticipate that his conversations would be leaked on the internet. In one of the recordings, Ernesto can be heard flirting with Sonya, even while Shirley was footing his legal bills.
Another significant revelation from these phone calls was Shirley’s comments about Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie. Shirley made unsavory comments about Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie that went viral. She insinuated that Steve was “scared” of Marjorie and looked at her like the “help”. These comments irrevocably damaged both her reputation and relationship with her longtime friend and boss, Steve Harvey.
After the leak of these recordings, Shirley made a public apology to Steve and his wife, Marjorie Harvey. She expressed remorse for her comments and acknowledged that she couldn’t take them back.
Shirley’s Public Apology
Shirley made a public apology to Steve Harvey and his wife, Marjorie Harvey, following the leak of phone calls between her and her estranged husband, Ernesto Williams.
In the leaked phone calls, Shirley was heard making comments about Steve and Marjorie that were considered inappropriate. She was heard saying that Steve was winded going up the stairs at his home and that Marjorie looks at them as the help.
On September 11, while on air, Shirley addressed the salacious headlines and apologized. She began by saying, “As much as I wish I could, I can’t take it back … It was definitely not me trying to add to what you and Marjorie have going on in your lives right now”. She expressed remorse for her comments and acknowledged that she couldn’t take them back.
She also noted that she thought the conversations were private and felt terrible that the tapes were released. She added, “I was just trying to make conversation with him. I’m talking about you and Marjorie, and you guys are going through your own private hell. You didn’t need me to contribute to anything”.
Shirley wanted to give Steve and Marjorie a public apology and ask for their forgiveness publicly. She said, “I wanted to say it live on the radio because your name is in it. We’ve been friends for a long time, Steve…I wanted to give you and Marjorie a public apology and ask for your forgiveness publicly. I just wanted to have a real moment with you”. She continued by tearfully expressing how grateful she is for her job amid the Harvey’s marital drama.
Impact on Shirley’s Career
The controversy has had a significant impact on both her public image and personal life.
The leaked phone calls between Shirley and Ernesto, which revealed Ernesto’s affair and Shirley’s comments about Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie, cast a shadow over Shirley’s public image. The revelations shocked many of her fans and the general public, leading to a wave of negative publicity. This saga has not only impacted Ernesto significantly but also cast a shadow over Shirley Strawberry’s public image and personal life.
On a personal level, the controversy has undoubtedly been a source of stress and emotional turmoil for Shirley. The charges against Ernesto, his arrest, and subsequent sentencing to prison have shaken the foundations of their lives. The emotional video where Shirley claimed that Ernesto had been scamming her for years, using her name and credit to buy cars, houses, and other luxury items, all without her knowledge or consent, further complicated the situation.
As for Shirley’s future on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, it appears that she continues to be a valued member of the team. Despite the controversy, Shirley has hinted that her own life has taken a turn for the dramatic, and she even suggested there would be an upcoming show focused on her own dramas. Furthermore, Steve Harvey reportedly renewed Shirley Strawberry’s morning show contract for $5 million over 5-years. In 2022, Shirley earned an estimated $400,000 as co-host of the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show. This suggests that despite the personal challenges she has faced, her professional career remains strong and she continues to be an integral part of the show.
