O.J. Simpson & Nicole Brown: The Relationship Before the Murder Pt. 1

Summary

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America's Most Infamous Crimes with Katie Ring

Episode: O.J. Simpson & Nicole Brown: The Relationship Before the Murder Pt. 1

Podcast Host: Katie Ring
Released: April 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This multi-part special from America’s Most Infamous Crimes revisits one of the most impactful stories in American criminal and cultural history: the relationship between Nicole Brown Simpson and O.J. Simpson. Before the infamous murder and sensational trial, there was a story of love, control, manipulation, and persistent abuse. In this first part, host Katie Ring digs into Nicole’s upbringing, the beginnings of her relationship with O.J., and the red flags and escalating violence that foreshadowed tragedy. Insights from a guest expert deepen the understanding of abuse in high-profile, high-power relationships.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Nicole Brown’s Early Life & Family (03:23–05:30)

• Nicole was born in 1959 in Germany to Lou and Judy Brown before the family settled in Long Beach, CA.
• The Brown family grew in size and affluence, living in a gated Southern California community.
• Nicole was described as popular, ambitious, and close to her siblings, especially her sister Denise.

Meeting O.J. Simpson & Early Relationship (05:30–08:20)

• At 18, while working at the Daisy in Beverly Hills, Nicole met O.J. Simpson—already a football and advertising star.
• Despite his fame, Nicole “had no idea who he was” initially, leading to what she described as an instant “butterflies” connection.
• O.J. was still legally married, but he convinced Nicole his marriage was over.

“OJ asked Nicole out pretty much immediately, and she was definitely interested. There was just one catch, though. He was still married to his high school sweetheart, Marguerite.”
— Katie Ring (06:30)

Rapid Escalation: Control & Early Signs of Abuse (08:20–11:45)

• Nicole quickly moved in with O.J., who traveled for football, demanding Nicole join and disrupting her modeling ambitions.
• O.J. became controlling over her finances, appearance, and social life.
• Jealous outbursts and accusations began early; O.J. reacted violently when he saw Nicole kissing a friend on the cheek.
• Nicole’s diary documented the first alleged physical assault: O.J. responded to accusations of cheating by throwing her against a wall.

“If he didn’t like Nicole’s outfit anytime they went out, she had to change. Period. End of story.”
— Katie Ring (08:55)

Abuse, Cheating, and Trapped by Power (11:46–16:00)

• As O.J. integrated himself into Nicole’s family—getting her father a job and her sister a college fund—Nicole’s dependency deepened.
• Despite this, their relationship continued, marked by public displays of wealth and increasing in private volatility.
• Multiple incidents of abuse were recorded in Nicole's diaries; police were periodically called, but charges were never filed.

Marriage & Escalation During Pregnancy (16:01–20:55)

• After Nicole caught O.J. cheating, he proposed—typical of abuser "love bombing" cycles.
• Marriage did not lessen abuse. O.J. was allegedly emotionally and physically abusive during Nicole’s pregnancies, even dictating she undergo a C-section for his aesthetic preferences.
• Tabloid rumors of infidelity continued. Nicole increasingly focused on her children for fulfillment.

“He called her a fat pig and even forced her to have a C-section because he thought it would stop the baby from ruining Nicole’s body.”
— Katie Ring (15:53)

Escalation to Public Violence & Legal Intervention (18:11–22:55)

• A violent incident in Hawaii following a perceived slight triggered another beating.
• On Jan 1, 1989, after a brutal altercation observed by police, O.J. was arrested for spousal battery—the only time it reached law enforcement. He pled no contest, was fined $700, and ordered to counseling.
• Nicole stayed three more years, growing increasingly isolated and trapped.

“Nicole was hiding in the yard with only sweatpants and a bra on... She was terrified. She told the officers that her husband was going to kill her if they didn’t do something.”
— Katie Ring (20:00)

Nicole’s Attempt to Reclaim Her Life (22:55–23:50)

• Nicole filed for divorce in 1992, and despite O.J.'s wealth, settlements were relatively modest. For the first time in 14 years, Nicole started rebuilding her life, appearing happier and lighter to those close to her.
• Yet, O.J.'s presence loomed nearby. Nicole “had a sneaking suspicion that O.J. hadn’t moved on the way she had.”

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Analysis of Abuse Dynamics: Expert Segment

Why Did She Stay? Power, Control, and Dependency (23:51–27:49)

• Katie and her guest expert dissect the complexities of abuse in relationships marked by celebrity, money, and power.

“Nicole met OJ when she was just 18… Not only was there a large age gap, but there was also a power imbalance from the get go.”
— Katie Ring (24:05)

• O.J.’s charisma masked the onset of abuse, and after rapid “love bombing,” control gradually increased—limiting Nicole’s independence, career, and even supporting her family, deepening her entrapment.
• The expert notes that financial abuse and the cycle of lavish affection and violence make leaving unusually difficult for victims.

“Financial abuse is one of the most effective and common ways of trapping victims.”
— Katie Ring (26:23)

Marriage, Pregnancy, and Escalating Abuse (27:50–29:56)

• Both Katie and her guest highlight that marriage and especially pregnancy don’t “fix” abusers—they often worsen control and violence because abusers feel more secure and emboldened.

“Many victims think things will get better with marriage or kids. But this is actually the opposite... they wait until their partner is pregnant because they know kids are going to trap that partner even more.”
— Katie Ring (27:49)

Serial Cheating as Abuse (29:05–29:56)

• While cheating alone isn’t abuse, serial cheating can be used to humiliate, destabilize, and further control victims as part of a broader manipulation cycle.

“So being unfaithful, comparing your partner to other women, and eroding your partner’s self-worth are all parts of the cycle of harm.”
— Katie Ring (29:48)

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Memorable Quotes

• “OJ was the guy. People worshiped him. He was a football legend. And it was no secret that everyone wanted to be in his orbit. How could you not be wooed by someone like that?”
  — Guest Expert (23:52)
• “He controlled what she bought, what she wore, who she hung out with. He was extremely jealous and possessive, which is a huge red flag in abusers.”
  — Katie Ring (24:56)
• “Abuse never gets better. Ever.”
  — Katie Ring (27:36)

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Notable Timestamps

• 03:23 — Nicole’s family history and move to the U.S.
• 05:30 — Meeting O.J. at the Daisy; first impressions.
• 08:20–09:45 — Fast escalation: moving in, control, and first red flags.
• 11:46–13:45 — Nicole’s dependence and documentation of early abuse.
• 16:01–17:59 — O.J. proposes post-cheating; Nicole’s hopes for change.
• 18:11–20:00 — Hawaii incident and escalation of violence.
• 20:00–21:30 — Police intervention, O.J.’s arrest for spousal battery.
• 22:55–23:50 — Nicole’s divorce and first sense of independence.
• 23:51–27:49 — Expert discussion: the dynamics and cycle of abuse.
• 27:50–29:56 — Impact of marriage and serial cheating on victims.

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Tone and Takeaway

Katie Ring approaches this episode with both rigor and empathy, honoring Nicole’s experience while providing clear-eyed analysis. The conversation is direct, candid, and sensitive to the realities of domestic violence—particularly within high-profile, high-power relationships. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the “why” behind Nicole’s choices, the role of power in abusive relationships, and the complex escalation of danger that preceded the infamous murder.

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Next episode: The story continues, examining the events leading up to Nicole's murder and the investigation that captivated the nation.

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Transcript

[Katie Ring]

Foreign. This is crime house. In 1994, the tragic murder of Nicole Brown Simpson didn't just shock Los Angeles, it stopped the entire nation in its tracks. The prime suspect wasn't a random stranger lurking in the dark. It was Nicole's ex husband, O.J. simpson, one of the most famous athletes in America. What came next wasn't just a murder investigation. It was a cultural earthquake. A case that exposed dark secrets, divided the nation, and turned a courtroom into one of the most watched spectacles in modern history. Today, we're going back to the beginning, to Nicole Brown's life, her relationship with OJ and how their story led to a tragedy that changed America forever. Every crime tells a story about the people involved, the system that tried to stop it, and the nation that couldn't look away. Some cases are so shocking, so deeply woven into who we are, that decades later, we're still asking, how did this happen? Hi, I'm Katie Ring and this is America's Most Infamous Crimes. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I'll take you deep into cases that have a lasting imprint on society and still haunt us today. I want to thank you for being part of the Crime House community. Please rate, review and follow America's Most Infamous Crimes wherever you get your podcasts and to get all episodes at once ad free. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. Today we'll be talking about the early life of Nicole Brown and how a chance meeting with O.J. simpson set her life on a very different path. I promised I'd report back on my linen quince comforter, and the consensus is that it not only looks amazing, but it's also super soft, especially after a few washes. One of my main goals this year is replacing everything I own that is polyester with natural fabrics, from my bedding to my wardrobe. My skin is extremely sensitive and Quint has high quality pieces that are not only soft on my skin, but are also stylish. The price is also unmatched for the quality. Replacing so many items in your wardrobe with natural fabrics can be pricey, especially when you want all of the pieces to look elevated. Quint's offers it all. High quality clothing and fabrics that are soft on my skin look high end and don't break the bank. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.cominfamouscrimes for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N c e.cominfamouscrimes for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.cominfamouscrimes we all belong outside.

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[Katie Ring]

When we talk about Nicole Brown's death, it's usually framed in the context of a man accused of killing her. After all, everyone calls it the O.J. trial, and over the next few episodes, I'll get into that. But first I want to tell you about the woman at the center of it all and what was taken from her. Nicole spent the first few years of her life in Europe. Her dad, Lou, was stationed in West Germany with the US Air Force in the 1950s, and when he fell in love with a woman named Judy, he decided to stay. So Lou left the Air Force and got a job working for a newspaper. He married Judy, and they had two daughters, Denise in 1957 and Nicole in 1959. The two of them weren't just sisters, they were best friends. Denise and Nicole were always looking out for each other, which was a good thing, because when they were still both toddlers, their lives changed in a big way. Sometime in the early 1960s, Lou decided to move the family back to the States. The Browns settled in Long Beach, California, about 30 miles south of LA. Lou made a lot of money working in real estate and insurance, and they need every penny because the Brown family was about to keep growing. Lou and Judy had two more daughters, Dominique in 1964 and Tanya in 1970. Life was good, and Lou's job was even better. By the mid-70s, the Browns upgraded to a nicer, gated community in SoCal. By this point, Nicole and Denise were in high school, and they were really starting to come into their own. Denise was homecoming queen one year, and Nicole was homecoming princess the next. But Nicole was a lot more than a pretty face. She was the kind of person everyone wanted to be friends with, and she realized that her looks and her personality could take her far in life. She thought she had what it took to become a model. So after graduating high school In May of 1977, she moved to LA to make that dream a reality. Nicole spent the next couple of months, crashing at a friend's apartment. Along with her budding modeling career, she worked as a hostess at the Daisy, a trendy restaurant and nightclub in Beverly Hills. To her, it was just a job to pay the bills. But that job was about to change her life forever. One day In June of 1977, 18 year old Nicole was working the morning shift when one of the most famous people on the planet walked in. O.J. simpson. At the time, O.J. was a few weeks shy of turning 30, and he was already a football legend. To say he was a big deal would be an understatement. OJ first burst onto the scene as a college player at the University of Southern California. After winning the Heisman trophy, he went first overall in the 1969 NFL Draft. When Nicole met him eight years later, O.J. was the star running back for the Buffalo Bills, where he'd been so successful that he was practically a shoo in for the hall of Fame. But he was also making history off of the field. As a spokesman for Hurt's Rental Cars, OJ had become the first black man ever, ever hired for a major national television advertising campaign. OJ Was everywhere, and everybody knew him, or at least almost everyone. Because when OJ Walked into the Daisy, Nicole had no idea who he was. She just did her job, sat him and his friends at a table, and went back to work. But once she was back in the kitchen, her boss came sprinting over and filled her in. That was O.J. simpson, the Juice. Even for a restaurant in the middle of Beverly Hills, this was a huge deal. After that, Nicole looked back at OJ and he smiled at her. Years later, Nicole would talk about getting butterflies on the spot. OJ Asked Nicole out pretty much immediately, and she was definitely interested. There was just one catch, though. He was still married to his high school sweetheart, Marguerite. Now, according to O.J. the marriage was already over. He and Marguerite were done with each other, although legally, that wasn't really the case. They had been separated, but they weren't divorced yet. Still, Nicole gave O.J. the benefit of the doubt and agreed to go on a date with him. And she quickly fell head over heels for him. O.J. was older, sophisticated, charming, and insanely famous. He opened up a whole new world for Nicole, the one she'd been dreaming of for years. But this new world was OJ's and she had to play by his rules. And there were a lot of them. Just a few months into dating, OJ Moved Nicole into his house, which was fine, since he was mostly based in la, but Nicole wouldn't get a lot of time to enjoy it because OJ Also made her travel with him to all of his games. Nicole went along with it, even though that meant putting her modeling career on pause. After all, she had O.J. to take care of her, and there was still plenty of time to start up again if she wanted. But once she agreed, the real rules started. Allegedly, OJ Insisted on signing off on anything Nicole wanted to buy, and if he didn't like Nicole's outfit, anytime they went out, she had to change. Period. End of story. It was hard to argue when OJ Was paying for everything in her life, but it wouldn't be long before more red flags started popping up and they were impossible for Nicole to ignore. In early 1978, about eight months into their relationship, OJ invited Nicole and her sisters to watch him play in Buffalo. At some point during the game, he looked up into the private box he'd gotten them and saw Nicole kissing one of her guy friends on the cheek, and OJ did not like that. After the game, he screamed at Nicole about how she'd embarrassed him. She spent the rest of the night crying in the bathroom his and things only got worse after that. According to Nicole's diary, she found another woman's earrings in her bed just a few months later, and that was something she was not going to let go of. So she confronted OJ and accused him of cheating on her, his response? Throwing her against the wall hard enough to leave bruises. This may have been one of the earliest, if not the first instance of physical abuse in their relationship. And tragically, it was far from the last. DraftKings Casino is changing the game with FlexSpins. New players play $5 and get 1500 Flex spins 50 a day for 30 days. Then you choose how to play across your favorite games like Huff and More, Puff, Cash, Eruption and more. Download the app now and sign up with code infamous to claim 1500 Flex spins on your choice of slots. The Crown is yours. It in partnership with DraftKings Casino Gambling Problem call 1-800- GAMBLER in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling, call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly. 21 plus physically present in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia only. Void in Ontario eligibility restrictions apply. 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Nicole knew she had to leave OJ but that was easier said than done. The thing is, she wasn't the only one in her family who depended on him. O.J. had gotten her dad a job running a Hertz rental car franchise in Laguna Niguel, and he'd even paid for Nicole's little sister, Dominique to go to usc, his alma mater. So for the time being, Nicole decided to ignore the bad and focus on the good. By 1979, they'd been dating for two years. Nicole was 20 and O.J. was 32. He decided the time was right to retire from the NFL and to finally officially divorce his wife, although by that point, Nicole had already replaced Marguerite in O.J. s life. Pretty much everyone in LA knew that he and Nicole were a package deal, and they weren't exactly keeping a low profile either. Think matching his and hers Ferraris. They also moved into a $5 million mansion in LA's Brentwood neighborhood on North Rockingham Drive. There were always athletes, celebrities and beautiful women hanging around. It was constantly busy and the kind of place to be and be seen. Nicole loved being at the center of it all. But underneath all of the glitz and glamour, something much darker was brewing. In her diary, Nicole wrote about several more instances of physical abuse over the years. She called the cops to rocking him a few times, but she never went through with pressing charges and O.J. was never arrested. Sometimes their fights got so explosive that Nicole would storm out of the house or OJ Would supposedly Throw her out either way. She usually drove down to her parents house in Orange county to let him cool down. But OJ Always called and apologized, and Nicole always went back to him. She was about to hit her limit, though, especially when it came to O.J. s cheating. Rumors started spreading in the tabloids that he was seeing other women, which O.J. of course denied. But Nicole didn't believe him. Five years into their relationship, O.J. told Nicole that he was going to lunch in Beverly Hills with a friend. Nicole wasn't buying that, so she followed him there. And when she pulled up, she saw OJ Leaving the restaurant with a pretty young woman. Nicole had had enough. She let OJ have it right there in the parking lot, screaming at him and hurling insults at his date. At that point, things weren't looking good for them. But the next day, OJ did something truly shocking. He proposed to Nicole, and she said yes. Nicole was ecstatic. In her mind, this was the solution to everything. If OJ Was willing to put a ring on it, it meant he was serious about changing. Nicole thought that once they were a married couple, the cheating, the lying, the abuse, it would all end. So on February 2, 1985, Nicole Brown said I do to O.J. simpson. And their marriage seemed to be off to a great start. When O.J. was inducted into the Pro Football hall of Fame six months later, he thanked Nicole in his speech, saying how wonderful she'd made his life after the NFL. Nicole was right there in the audience, beaming up at him. She. She'd quickly taken on the role of the perfect wife. Beautiful, poised, and at that point, pregnant with their first child. People at the ceremony whispered about how lucky OJ Was to have her and how lucky she was to have him. But Nicole knew something nobody else did. All of the promises OJ had made about being calmer, being truthful, being faithful. They were all empty. Nothing had changed after they got married. He was still controlling, cheating, and allegedly abusive. And with a baby on the way, Nicole felt completely and utterly trapped. But when Nicole gave birth to their daughter, Sydney Simpson, In October of 1985, she was over the moon. She loved being a stepmom to OJ's children from his previous marriage, but she'd always dreamed about having a baby of her own. Still, the pregnancy hadn't been easy on her, especially when it came to OJ apparently he was less than a supportive husband, to put it mildly. O.J. wanted Nicole to stay skinny and fit, even though she was growing a person inside of her. He called her a fat pig and Even forced her to have a C section because he thought it would stop the baby from ruining Nicole's body. But no matter how traumatizing OJ's behavior was, Sydney was the light of Nicole's life. Even when all hell was breaking loose in their marriage, she still had her daughter to put a smile on her face. And Nicole wasn't done having kids. In 1988, three years after Sydney was born, 29 year old Nicole gave birth to a son named Justin. Just like before, OJ was allegedly neglectful during the pregnancy and was cruel to Nicole about her body. And he didn't stop there. He also cheated on her with other women who he found more attractive. This time, Nicole kept quiet about it as long as no one else knew about the reality of their relationship. She was fine to keep pretending her children were the most important thing to her and she was focused on raising them the best she could. But she had no idea one of them was about to become a pawn in OJ's latest outburst. This episode is brought to you by Prime Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime Originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice off campus. Elle every year. After the Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point and more slow burns, second chances chemistry you can feel through the screen. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime.

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In December of 1988, just a few months after Justin was born, Nicole and OJ went on vacation to Hawaii. They were with some friends and family, including Nicole's older sister Denise. One day at lunch, a gay couple came over to their table to coo over little Justin. Nicole let one of the men hold her son and he kissed the child on her forehead. Nowadays it's advised that pretty much anyone but the parents don't ever kiss a baby. But back then it was a pretty normal interaction and Nicole didn't have control or know what the man was about to do. When they got back to their room, OJ exploded. He was furious with Nicole for letting the man kiss Justin. And it wasn't long before the argument turned violent. According to Nicole's diary, that fight ended with O.J. throwing her against the wall. He'd grabbed her so tightly, she had bruises on her arms and had to wear long sleeves the next morning just to hide them. And that's not the kind of outfit you wear to the beach, even in December. And Nicole's sister Denise noticed. But when Denise asked Nicole about it, she waved her off and said it was nothing. Denise didn't push her on it because they were on vacation and she probably wasn't looking to get into a fight. The trip didn't have any more drama, and they all flew back to LA like everything was fine. But when they got back, Denise would realize just how bad things had gotten. By late December, Nicole and OJ Were back in la, ready to ring in the new year. It should have been a night to have fun and look forward to the future. But something happened, and the party took a dark turn. In the early morning hours of January 1, 1989, Nicole called the police. She and O.J. had gotten into a fight, a bad one. By the time officers arrived at Rockingham, Nicole was hiding in the yard with only sweatpants and a bra on. Clearly, she'd left the house in a rush, and the officers could see why. Nicole had a black eye. Her lip was split and there was a handprint around her neck. She was terrified. She told the officers that her husband was going to kill her if they didn't do something. Meanwhile, OJ Came sauntering out in a bathrobe like nothing was wrong. He ignored the police completely and shouted at Nicole to stay out of his bed, then added that he had two other women and he didn't need her anymore. But Nicole wasn't letting this go. And for the first time, the authorities arrested O.J. simpson for abuse. He ended up pleading no contest to spousal Battery, was fined $700, and ordered to go to counseling. All things considered, you could say it was barely a slap on the wrist. $700 wasn't exactly a lot of money for OJ but it did change things for Nicole. Once OJ was detained and taken down to the police station, Nicole called Denise to come over. When she got there, Denise was shocked to see the state her sister was in. She begged her to leave O.J. she wanted to know why Nicole was putting up with the violence. Nicole didn't have an answer for that. But she did ask Denise to take pictures of her so she had proof. As far as we know, Nicole never showed those photos to anyone. And OJ didn't know they existed. Once he was out on bail, OJ went back to their house on North Rockingham Drive, and Nicole stayed with him for another three years while the abuse allegedly continued until Nicole finally hit a breaking point. There's no reporting on if there was a specific event that led Nicole to make the decision or if she just had enough. But In February of 1992, at the age of 32, Nicole filed for divorce. It took eight months of arguments, but in October of that year, Nicole and OJ were officially over. Nicole got nearly half a million dollars, plus $10,000 a month for child support, which sounds like a lot, but considering OJ's wealth, it wasn't very much. But it was enough for Nicole to get out on her own. At first, she moved into a rental house near OJ's mansion, but she eventually bought her own condo. It was. It was the first time she'd been on her own in 14 years. And without OJ controlling every aspect of her life, she could finally be herself again. Nicole's loved one said the change was massive. There was just a lightness about her. She was hanging out with friends again, went out dancing, went on vacations to Cabo, basically enjoying a normal life for the first time since she was a teenager. Life was good for Nicole, but she had a sneaking suspicion that OJ hadn't moved on the way she had. And tragically for her, it wouldn't be long before her suspicions may have proved correct and ended in the most horrifying way possible. For today's off the record section, I wanted to start with a question I hear often, and that's why did she stay? In cases where celebrity, money, and power are involved, people tend to blame victims even more harshly because many believe they are willfully staying just because of the perks. But this is not how abuse works. And we can see that in millions of cases of abuse where the abusive men are well below average. Nicole met OJ when she was just 18 years old and she was working as a waitress. He was almost 30 and was already powerful, wealthy, and a celebrity. Not only was there a large age gap, but there was also a power imbalance from the get go. But when you're a teenager, you're not really concerned or even aware of that. Catching the eye of someone like that can make you feel special at any age, but particularly when you're young and impressionable and you really have to put

[Guest Expert]

yourself back in that time. OJ was the guy. People worshiped him. He was a football legend. And it was no secret that everyone wanted to be in his orbit. How could you not be wooed by someone like that?

[Katie Ring]

O.J. pulled out all of the sobs. Everyone around O.J. said he was extremely charismatic. He pursued her immediately. He wined and dined her, made her feel special, and she fell in love instantly. But the control started creeping in slowly. He moved her into his house after only a couple months, which is extremely fast. He also flew her out to all of his games, which, again, this is where celebrity can kind of become complicated, because at face value, that sounds really fun. You're going to your boyfriend's football games. People view this as this lavish lifestyle, but this is also the beginning of control, because he is controlling where you are, who you see, what you do. He's isolating her from all of her friends and family. And it's also a way to make her quit her job. She gave up her dreams of modeling for at least what she thought was the meantime, so she could be with him. And that was okay because, again, he could financially provide for her. But that's where power, control, wealth becomes even more hard for a victim to leave. And other aspects of control also were creeping in. He controlled what she bought, what she wore, who she hung out with. He was extremely jealous and possessive, which is a huge red flag in abusers. And the physical abuse didn't start in the very beginning of the relationship. It never starts in the very beginning of a relationship. They always love bomb you. They trap you, like, once. They feel like they have you trapped. That's when the control and the abuse starts happening. And by this point, she was living with him, she was traveling with him. She was completely dependent on him. And in only the first few years of their relationship, he was paying her sister's tuition at usc, and he had gotten her dad a great job. So at that point, she didn't even just have herself to consider. She had all of her family's needs to consider.

[Guest Expert]

Is this why abuse by powerful people can sometimes go undetected? Because on the surface, Nicole's life looked so glamorous, and he was providing her with so many things that in reality, might have actually made her feel threatened, almost like she owed him something?

[Katie Ring]

Absolutely. Financial abuse is one of the most effective and common ways of trapping victims. And when you have wealth and connections like OJ did, it can make leaving even more consequential. And in this situation, it was just not for her, but her family as well. Another role that wealth and access can play is that abuse is a cycle of Love bombing and having money and power and resources can make love bombing even more powerful. The abuser will hurt their victim, then apologize, adorn them with gifts, love and affection. And in one instance after cheating, OJ proposed to Nicole. So each time the abuser promises he will change, that he loves her, that this will never happen again, and the victim loves them, they see a glimpse of that person who was love bombing them in the very beginning of their relationship, and they believe that that is the true person. Many of them blame themselves for the way their abuser has changed, but in reality, the abuse is who the person really is. The love bombing was a mask. And despite a lot of victims thinking and hoping that things will always get better, they never get better. Ever.

[Guest Expert]

One part that was so sad to me was hearing that Nicole thought everything would change after O.J. proposed to her. But it seems like the cheating and abuse got worse after they got married and when she got pregnant.

[Katie Ring]

This is one of the things that absolutely breaks my heart and that so many people aren't aware of. But many victims think that things will get better with marriage or kids. But this is actually the opposite of what happens. Having marriage and kids traps victims even further. And abusers many times can we years, some show basically no signs of abuse until marriage. So it's like they wait until they feel like they have more power and control over you and their actions get worse and worse. I've talked to a lot of victims who said that the first time their husband hit them was on their wedding night. One woman messaged me and said that on their wedding night her husband brought his friends in and they gang her. Another stat a lot of people don't know is that one in six cases of domestic violence happen during pregnancy. They wait until their partner is pregnant because they know kids are going to trap that partner even more.

[Guest Expert]

It's an interesting point you bring up because it seems like OJ's cheating got even worse during her pregnancy. Do you consider serial cheating abuse?

[Katie Ring]

Yes. And cheating itself isn't abuse, but serial cheating can definitely be a part of the cycle of abuse. Where serial cheating can become abusive, it's when it's part of a broader pattern. So when serial cheating involves deception and manipulation, which is like lying repeatedly gaslighting their victim, you're crazy. That didn't happen. I can't believe you don't believe me. That psycho that you would believe other people over me. When it also comes to emotional destabilization, keeping your partner anxious, insecure, constantly seeking validation, like in that one instance where Nicole called the police and OJ Came out of the house and said, I have two other girls. Like, you're not shit. That's a form of that kind of abuse. Another one, same thing. This plays into it is when serial cheating can be part of a power play. So using that infidelity to assert dominance or show the partner that they're replaceable. And one of the other ones is when it's part of humiliation or disregard. This was shown in the pregnancy, you know, being openly unfaithful. This was in the tabloids. He went to lunch with a girl in the middle of Beverly Hills. He was not trying to keep this, like, super low key. So being unfaithful, comparing your partner to other women, and eroding your partner's self worth are all parts of the cycle of harm. So it will be cheating, apology, reconciliation, repeat. And again, as we saw, he proposed to Nicole after she caught him cheating. He gives her hope that things are going to change once he commits. But unfortunately, as I said, abuse never gets better. It only gets worse. Thank you so much for joining me. Make sure to come back tomorrow for our next episode on Nicole Brown Simpson. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. YouTube channel at America's most infamous crimes. Thank you for supporting the show.