On a special edition of “20/20” that will air on May 1, 2024, Brittney Griner, a US WNBA athlete and nine-time All-Star, will speak out about her detainment in Russia. Although she has answered questions earlier about the detainment and what preceded it, this will be her first full-fledged interview covering her experience. Meanwhile, Brittney’s personal life has also been in the limelight since she and her wife announced that they are expecting their first baby.
Brittney married her wife, Cherelle Griner, on June 18, 2019. The couple reportedly met between 2009 and 2013 during their time at Baylor University. However, they did not start dating until many years later, per People Magazine. On August 2, 2018, the couple finally got engaged, although the WNBA star described her experience of first meeting Cherelle as “love at first sight.” The couple has been moderately active on social media ever since.
On February 17, 2022, Brittney Griner was detained at the Moscow airport for possessing vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil. The detainment happened while she was returning to her Russian basketball team during the WNBA off-season. The detainment was prolonged for ten months after Brittney was initially sentenced to nine years in prison. According to ABC, she was released on December 8, 2022.
Cherelle publicly expressed her support for Brittney over social media during her detention. On March 5, 2022, the news about Brittney Griner’s detainment was publicized. Cherelle took to social media to express her gratitude to all the well-wishers concerned about her wife. She also requested fans and the media to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Who is Brittney Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner?
Cherelle Griner reportedly spent her years at Baylor University majoring in political science and government. She also minored in family and child studies. In May 2022, she graduated from North Carolina Central University of Law, reported The US Sun.
When Brittney Griner first met Cherelle, she was still married to her ex-wife, Glory Johnson. After Brittney divorced Glory in 2016, the WNBA star began dating Cherelle, and their engagement happened two years later. In April 2024, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child. This brought some good news from their end after Brittney Griner’s detainment had ended.
The WNBA athlete will now open up in her conversation with ABC News. According to Fox News, she has already expressed that she had been battling suicidal thoughts and tendencies during her time in the Russian penal colony. She also commented on the living conditions that she was subject to, which reportedly made her feel “less than a human.”
On July 7, 2022, Brittney Griner pleaded guilty in the Russian court to charges of smuggling drugs into Russia. Medical reports proved the absence of illegal substances in her body. Her teammates reportedly testified to assure the court that Brittney made a significant contribution to the team, including boosting team spirit, reported People Magazine.
The special edition of “20/20” on Brittney Griner will air on ABC on May 1, 2024.
