Who Is Romi Imbelli? The 'Real L Word' Star Who Married Angelina Jolie's Brother — and Filed for Annulment 15 Days Later

Before Romi Imbelli married James Haven, she had known him for 23 years. Their wedding made that longtime bond public, but it did not tell the whole story.

Romi Imbelli had already appeared on television, become a mother, and begun writing about her personal life. Two years later, she would speak publicly about how her relationship with Angelina Jolie's brother had changed.

She’s an Actress

Romi Imbelli, who was previously known as Romi Klinger, was born Jan. 8, 1982, in California, according to IMDb.

Her IMDb page lists "Sheltered," "The Real L Word" and "Shahs of Sunset" among the productions for which she is known.

Imbelli appeared as herself in 12 episodes of Showtime's "The Real L Word" between 2011 and 2012. She later appeared as herself in one episode of Bravo's "Shahs of Sunset" in 2014.

IMDb also lists her in the makeup department for the 2010 film "Sheltered."

Those credits came years before reports about her relationship with James Haven, an actor and director and Angelina Jolie's older brother.

She Married James Haven Two Years Ago

Imbelli and Haven married on August 12, 2024, according to Just Jared. The ceremony took place in Laguna Beach, California. Haven's father, actor Jon Voight, attended, while Jolie was not present, the outlet reported.

"In 2024, I married my best friend of 23 years," Imbelli said. She said she was not ready to publicly discuss all the details of their relationship. "The details of our story are too personal and complicated to share now, but I am writing it all in my book," she said.

The wedding included the couple and their parents, with plans for another celebration. "Our wedding day was intimate, just us and our parents while exchanging vows, with plans to have a larger celebration later," Imbelli said.

Haven proposed at the grave of Imbelli's late father, according to her account. "I believe he is watching over us from heaven and smiling down on us," she said.

Their first dispute as a married couple came the following day. "Unfortunately, we had a big fight the next day," Imbelli told Just Jared.

When the outlet reported on the marriage in January 2025, Imbelli said she and Haven had reconciled after months of reflection and healing. She also said they were planning another celebration that would include her daughter.

"I feel liberated and ready to return to my husband and our home in LA. Everything that has happened in the last few months was all part of a greater plan, and I trust in God’s timing. I will always hold 2024 deeply in my heart. Life is too short. Go out and live it," Imbelli said at the time.

She Became His Wife for Only 15 Days

Imbelli filed for an annulment on August 27, 2024, exactly 15 days after the wedding, according to court records reviewed by People.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to move forward with the annulment of my marriage to James Haven. As reflected in public record, the reason cited remains fraud," Imbelli told the publication. She did not say in that statement what she alleged constituted fraud.

"This has been a deeply personal and difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary for my own well-being," she said. "I appreciate the support of those who have stood by me, and at this time, I am focused on moving forward with clarity and peace."

She said she planned to write more about the marriage in her memoir.

"I'm finding healing through this process by putting my truth into words in my upcoming memoir, where I will share more about this chapter of my life and the journey that led me here," she explained.

She's a Mom to a Daughter

Imbelli is a mother to a daughter she shares with chef Charles Imbelli, according to Just Jared. The outlet reported that Charles was one of her previous husbands and that she was also previously married to musician Dusty Ray.

Her Instagram includes several posts about her daughter. In one summer post, Imbelli and her daughter posed together wearing sunglasses. Imbelli flashed a peace sign while her daughter wore a bright pink jacket.

"We are headed home to the ocean! Summer vacation! Mommy daughter style! 🌊✈️" Imbelli wrote. She followed it with a quote from Mrs. Flax: "Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Or don't do anything I would!"

Another Instagram post showed Imbelli beside her daughter in a close-up photo. This time, her caption described how becoming a mother affected her view of love.

"I spent my whole life chasing love in all the wrong places. Then I became a mother and finally understood what it was supposed to feel like. God really did know what he was doing. Chapter 9 is up." The reference to "Chapter 9" pointed readers to her writing project, "Breathe Mija."

She Supported Her Ex-Husband After He Came Out as Gay

Haven publicly came out as gay during a live video stream with Imbelli on her Substack, according to Page Six. During the stream, he said he had come out to Imbelli after their marriage was annulled in March 2025.

Haven said he had recognized parts of himself since childhood but did not have the language to explain them then. He recalled being "absolutely obsessed with the Disney princesses" as a little boy and said those interests made him feel more like himself.

"It was never about pretending to be someone else," Haven said on the newsletter platform. "It was about letting a part of myself shine that had always been there."

He added that coming out "isn't about becoming someone new," but about "allowing everyone else to meet the person who has been here all along."

Haven said he hoped his family and others would respond to his coming out with love, understanding, and acceptance rather than judgment or fear.

Imbelli supported Haven during the livestream and said she had suspected he was gay before he told her.

"I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to believe," she said. "I knew it and I wanted to support you and love you, and then I didn't want to believe it because then it would mean losing you in that capacity, which I couldn't."

She said she had experienced an internal "battle" as she tried to support Haven while confronting what she believed about their relationship. Despite the end of their marriage, Imbelli said she still expected him to remain part of her life.

"We will do life together," she told Haven. "You are not my close friend. You are my love. And you happen to be gay."

Imbelli also addressed Haven's coming out in an Instagram post. The accompanying image promoted "Secret Chapter 21 - Two Souls Finally Free" from her writing project and included the line, "Twenty-two years of questions. And finally, an answer."

In the caption, Imbelli wrote in full: "Over 50 years of hiding who you are is a lifetime. Watching someone I love finally walk in their truth is one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed. I only wish it hadn't taken so long. But I'm grateful the rest of our lives get to be lived in freedom. 🤍"

She expanded on their relationship in a separate Instagram reel, saying that writing "Breathe Mija" had helped her heal and had brought Haven back into her life as her best friend. "This story was never just mine. It was ours," she wrote.

Imbelli also addressed her role in sharing the story of Haven's sexuality. "I wasn't here to out someone I love. I was here to help set someone free. There is a difference. In return he set me free," she explained.

She said forgiveness, grace, and unconditional love had helped them reach that point. She also asked readers to show Haven compassion as he began living openly as a gay man.

"Love doesn't always fit into the boxes we're taught it should. Sometimes it transforms," Imbelli said. "Sometimes it changes shape. Sometimes it asks us to let go of what we imagined so we can embrace what is true."

Imbelli closed the post by explaining how she now describes Haven after their marriage ended: "I'll always love him. Just not as his wife, but as my family, my best friend, and one of the greatest loves of my life."