Mel B Faces $5 Million Defamation Lawsuit from Ex-Husband Stephen Belafonte on Her 49th Birthday

Mel B Served 5 Million Defamation Lawsuit from Ex Husband Stephen Belafonte on Her 49th Birthday

Mel B, Stephen Belafonte. Getty Images (2)

On Mel B's birthday, her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against her in a Florida court. Belafonte claims that Mel B has been intentionally trying to harm his reputation and cause him emotional distress since their divorce in 2017.

Mel B, whose real name is Melanie Brown, filed for divorce from Belafonte in March 2017 after being married for almost 10 years. Just one month later, she was granted a temporary restraining order against him, accusing him of being abusive. (Belafonte has denied these allegations.)

In his new lawsuit, Belafonte argues that even though Mel B later retracted her accusations before their day in court, the harm to his reputation had already been done.

Mr. Belafonte's court documents state that he lost access to his home and children due to false allegations made by Ms. Brown, including rape, illegal gun possession, sex trafficking, production of illegal pornography, domestic battery, and child endangerment. Ms. Brown referred to Belafonte as a "monster" and "abuser."

In November 2017, the two reached a partial divorce settlement, which was fully finalized in August of the following year. Following the settlement, Belafonte was granted primary custody of their 12-year-old daughter, Madison. He claims that Mel B has only visited Madison once since then, according to his lawsuit. Mel B also has daughters Phoenix, 25, with her ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, and Angel, 17, with ex Eddie Murphy.

Belfonte made various claims in the lawsuit, including an accusation that the former America’s Got Talent judge utilized her charity work with the Women’s Aid abuse organization to boost sales, fame, and opportunities. This was supported by alleged text messages between her and fellow Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell. (Belafonte intends to donate any money received from the lawsuit.)

Mel B Served 5 Million Defamation Lawsuit from Ex Husband Stephen Belafonte on Her 49th Birthday

Mel B allegedly wrote to Halliwell, expressing that "charity doesn't pay the bills." In response, Halliwell, aged 51, suggested starting off with a charity gig as a positive initiative. She emphasized the significant impact of their brand's power, which has also benefited Victoria Beckham's work.

Belafonte also mentioned that Mel B struggled with a serious substance abuse issue, involving cocaine, alcohol, and prescription drugs, which negatively impacted their marriage. In September 2018, Mel B underwent drug testing during their custody hearings, leading the Los Angeles County Superior Court to label her as a "habitual [and] frequent" drug user.

According to Gary Madatyan, a spokesperson for the pop star, Mel B is determined to show the court that she is a stable individual. In September 2018, he shared exclusively with Us that although she was only required to take one drug test per week, Mel B voluntarily offered to undergo testing twice a week to prove her commitment.

Mel B has not made any public statements about Belafonte's lawsuit. Us has contacted representatives for Mel B and Halliwell for their comments.

Mel B, who is now in a relationship with fiancé Rory McPhee, has continued to stand by her allegations of abuse over the years. She even talked about a suicide attempt during her marriage to Belafonte in her 2018 memoir, Brutally Honest.

She remembered the moment she intentionally took multiple pills during an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March. "I realized what I did, and I’m like, ‘You know what? No, I want to live,’” she said. “So I told [Stephen], ‘Look, I’ve done something really silly,’ and he said, ‘So?’”

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Contact or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Editor's P/S:

The accusations and counter-accusations in the ongoing legal battle between Mel B and Stephen Belafonte raise serious concerns about domestic violence, child custody, and the potential impact of false allegations. Belafonte's defamation lawsuit highlights the devastating effects that false accusations can have on an individual's life and reputation. It is crucial to remember that accusations should be taken seriously, but it is equally important to ensure that they are based on credible evidence to avoid innocent parties being unjustly targeted.

The article also sheds light on the complex dynamics of celebrity marriages and the challenges of navigating public scrutiny. The fact that Mel B's personal struggles with substance abuse have become part of the legal proceedings underscores the need for compassion and understanding when addressing issues of mental health and addiction. It is important to recognize that individuals facing these challenges deserve support and treatment, rather than judgment or condemnation.