Who Was Real Housewives of Atlanta Shereé Whitfield's Season 15 Boyfriend Martell Holt?
Here's what to know about the man who made his on-camera debut with the SHE by Shereé founder in 2023.
When Shereé Whitfield began filming her eighth season as a full-time cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, she brought a new man with her: Boyfriend Martell Holt.
Here's what to know about Martell, who made his debut in Season 15.
Who was Shereé Whitfield's new boyfriend Martell Holt?
Reality TV fans might know Martell already: The Huntsville, Alabama native has been sharing details his life with his now-ex wife, Melody Holt, on Love & Marriage: Huntsville since the series premiered in 2019.
To Shereé's stated dismay at the time, Martell was still living in Alabama. However, as she mentioned during Season 15 Episode 1, his “big dick energy” might have helped make up for the distance.
Martell Holt's Career
Martell graduated from Alabama Agriculture & Mechanical University with a degree in education. According to his LinkedIn page, he previously worked as a middle school teacher and coach.
These days, however, he spends his time as the founder and chief operating officer of Holt & Holt Entrepreneurship, LLC and the owner of Holt Custom Homes.
The entrepreneur is also the author of a couple books: The 9-5 Entrepreneur, which was co-written by Melody, and Plane Ride to Canada, which he wrote with his children.
Who was Martell Holt married to before dating Sherée Whitfield?
Martell was married to Melody Holt for 13 years, and their divorce was seen on LAMH Season 3. The pair share four children: Mariah, Martell II, Maliah, and Malani.
Who was Shereé Whitfield married to before dating Martell Holt?
Shereé was married to Bob Whitfield for seven years before their 2007 split. The former couple share two children, son Kairo and daughter Kaleigh. The Atlanta housewife also has a daughter, Tierra, from a separate relationship.
Shereé Whitfield started calling Martell Holt her new boyfriend in Season 15
The pair were first linked romantically in July 2022, when Shereé shared that she was "getting to know someone" new during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. (Fans may remember that during Season 14 of RHOA, Shereé's years-long, on-and-off relationship with Tyrone Gilliams finally ended.)
Soon after, the designer confirmed her mystery man was Martel and he popped up via Facetime at the RHOA Season 14 reunion. She also commented on their relationship during an April 2023 WWHL appearance.
"Sheree, I'm so excited for your new season," host Andy Cohen said during the episode. "Are we going to get to meet your new boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend? Andy, you love to put a title on something," the She by Shereé designer responded. "Listen, Season 15 is coming in hot."
While Shereé was previously iffy about calling Martell her boyfriend, she confirmed their relationship status during Season 15 Episode 1.
“Martell and I, we are officially dating," Shereé said during an interview. Soon after, the pair were shown getting ready for an at-home date night, with Shereé surprising Martell with an in-home (or rather, an in-Chateau Shereé) chef.
“I met Martell through a mutual friend. He’s on a reality show, and we really enjoy each other’s company,” Shereé explained. “Despite what you see on TV, he’s never shown me anything but respect.”
What did the RHOA cast think of Martell Holt?
At BravoCon 2022 in October, RHOA cast members shared their opinions on Martell with Us Weekly.
"We all know a lot about Martell [because] he was on television as well. But when I’m with them, it feels very real," Sanya Richards-Ross said. "She's like, ‘Listen, I’m not looking for a husband,’ but I like their energy together.”
Kenya Moore revealed that she, however, was less sure.
"I want Shereé to be happy. I want her to pick better. I think she’s a good pick, but I don’t think she’s [got] a good picker,” she said.
At Sanya's husband Aaron Ross' roaring '20s themed birthday party (shown in Season 15, Episodes 1 and 2), Kenya, Kandi Burruss, and Monyetta Shaw-Carter are seen discussing what they have heard about Martell, including Kandi’s allegation that she knows “of another person in Atlanta he’s actually been kicking it with.”
Kenya’s response? “Is this just about the D? Let it be about the D.”
While the women acknowledged Martell may have told Shereé about any other dalliances, Kenya additionally revealed that, at some point before the two started dated, Martell had sent her an unsolicited DM which, it was revealed in Episode 2, had arrived in 2020 — the same year that his ex-wife Melody had filed for divorce.
She felt obligated to tell Shereé (who later said in Episode 2 that she’d known about the DM) and Shereé insisted on calling Martell over to discuss it with Kenya. He first denied having sent her a DM, then implied that Kenya likely accepted all her unsolicited DMs, and finally apologized and brought up the version remaining on his phone to prove that it had been in 2020, alleging it hadn’t been flirtatious.
But when Kandi and Kenya didn’t back down that his message had been an attempt to slide into Kenya’s DMs, he said, “I don’t care if I was trying to f-ck you two years ago. Why are you talking about it? It was two years ago.”
Martell’s comments didn’t endear him to any of his girlfriend’s friends, and Kenya called him out for cursing at him. As Shereé physically put herself in between her defensive boyfriend and her outraged friends, Kenya said, “You’re an assh-le, you did it to your ex-wife, and you’re going to do it to Shereé,” clearly referring to Martell’s previous infidelity.
“Once a cheater, always a cheater, you lying piece of sh-t,” she added.
What happened between Shereé Whitfield and Martell Holt after Season 15 of RHOA began airing?
In a May 2023 Essence interview, Shereé claimed the relationship was "going great."
“We’re really good friends. We enjoy our time when we’re together. He makes me laugh so much and that’s one of the things I really like about him. And I’m just kind of taking everything slow and enjoying life,” she said. “I’m never closed off to finding 'the one' or love. And so I’m just on my journey trying to be intentional and just making sure I got the right person.”
Shereé offered new insight into her relationship with Martell during a June 2023 appearance on WWHL. When host Andy Cohen asked for an update on their relationship, she initially played coy.
"Martell and I are still friends, absolutely," she said.
However, RHOA alum Porsha Williams called her out. "With benefits?" Porsha asked, to which Shereé playfully responded "Shut up."
But in a July 31 interview with Glamour, Shereé talked generally about her hopes for her romantic future and didn't mention Martell.
"Oh, I’m never gonna give up on love," she said. "I am a hopeless romantic, I’m never gonna give up on love."
"I feel like there is someone out there so special, so amazing for me," she added. "I do want to get married again... I love the institution of marriage. I love being in a committed relationship. So I’m not giving up on love."
Are Shereé Whitfield and Martell Holt still dating?
During an appearance at the “Viva Las Atlanta Peaches” panel at BravoCon 2023 on November 3, Shereé confirmed that she is single and no longer dating Martell.
“I made that decision a while back,” she said. “I don’t want to be dating someone and it’s a lot of drama and I’m getting pulled into that drama.”
“I am not interested in dealing with a man who has a lot of drama,” she added
But, Shereé did say that her and Martell still communicate and remain friends.
Originally published May 7, 2023.
