A playful Mother’s Day post turned controversial, prompting one Hollywood star to set the record straight on national television.

On June 4, 2025, Halle Berry addressed backlash to a video she posted on Mother’s Day that showed her in bed with longtime boyfriend, Van Hunt. Speaking as a guest host on “Today with Jenna & Friends,” the actress pushed back against critics who claimed the clip was inappropriate, saying she had every right to spend the holiday how she wanted and to talk openly about intimacy and love.

On May 11, Berry uploaded a short Instagram video while in Cannes, France. In it, she and Hunt were in bed, and the actress prominently displayed a small bottle of “Let’s Spin Intimacy Gel,” a product from her Respin line created for women navigating menopause.

With a playful tone, she said that she had already shown her followers how Mother’s Day started, but in this clip, she was going to reveal how their day would end. After turning to Hunt for confirmation, he quipped, “Yes. I wish you’d hurry up, too,” prompting laughter from Berry.

While the video was lighthearted and showed no explicit content, it sparked strong reactions online, particularly from those who questioned whether it was appropriate for Berry to post about intimacy on a day meant to celebrate mothers.

Speaking to Jenna Bush Hager, Berry said the criticism surprised her, especially since it came from other women.

“It did because women, other women, got in their feelings and, ‘Was it right for her to be in her bed talking about spinning with her man?’ Yes!” Berry said. “And they were saying, ‘And should she be talking about that on Mother’s Day? Shouldn’t she be with her kids somewhere?’ First of all, it’s not ‘Kids’ Day.’ It’s called ‘Mother’s Day.’ ‘Kids’ Day’ is every day of the year.”

Berry added that no one else had the right to define how a mother should celebrate. She also clarified that “spinning” was a euphemism for intimacy, and argued there was nothing shameful or inappropriate about that.

She even asserted that it’s the most natural thing people do, whether women or men, and firmly believed her honest way of speaking was beneficial and not hurtful.

Furthermore, the actress addressed those who criticized her for discussing intimacy on a public platform. Some argued Instagram was a “family channel,” to which Berry responded that family life includes honest conversations about love and more.

“We have sex. It’s the most natural thing we do,” she said, adding that continued sexual health and pleasure are important for long-term well-being. “That’s really a key component to longevity.”

Additionally, Berry pointed out that the video showed no more than two people in bed under sheets and that the backlash was exaggerated. “You saw nothing. So we’re in bed. So what? We sleep in beds, people,” she said. Hager responded by saying, “And you’re in love,” to which Berry agreed.

Instead of fighting over what everyone thought about her video, Berry wanted people to think about love and unity, arguing they should prioritize kindness. Fortunately, this wasn’t the only topic discussed during her time with Today.

Later that same day, Berry and Hunt spoke to Today online and revealed that he had already proposed. Hunt said, “So I put out the proposal, and it’s still on hold as you can see,” while Berry laughed.

When asked why she hadn’t accepted yet, Berry said that neither of them feels marriage is necessary to prove their love. She explained that with her three previous marriages and Van’s one, they didn’t believe they needed to marry to validate their love.

The actress also mentioned that marriage could happen later, not out of obligation, but because they desired it. However, she added that out of all her previous relationships, Van was the person she should have married.

The couple made their relationship public in September 2020 and have since become known for sharing affectionate—and sometimes bold—glimpses into their life together.

Furthermore, Berry revealed her inner circle approved of their relationship. She described this type of connection as something she’d always desired, having pictured herself in a committed, loving relationship with her closest friend—someone she both respected and loved.

Despite the initial controversy, Halle Berry has stood firm in her message: mothers deserve autonomy, joy, and the right to express love in their own way. As she put it, “It’s my day, and if I want to be in bed and spin with my man, then that’s what I am going to do.”