The truth behind Mel’s toxic break-up
Desperate to escape ‘control freak’ Stephen Hurt after ‘date’ with other woman Now terrified her ex will spill their secrets
Their 10-year T marriage was one of the most turbulent in showbiz – hitting the headlines over bitter public fallouts and family feuds.
But last week, Mel B called time on her marriage to film producer Stephen Belafonte, citing “irreconcilable differences” and requesting spousal support to Stephen to be terminated. She listed their date of separation as 28 December, which will come as a shock to fans as just a few weeks ago, the former Spice Girl posted a gushing message to Stephen, 41, on Instagram. She wrote: “My baby boo @stephenthinks11. We have been through everything that would normally tear couples apart and we have come out on the other side stronger. You loved me before I even [knew] how to really love myself. You are my world, honey, and let’s not forget you are a bit of a d**khead too.”
Last week there were reports that Stephen – who had a drunken outburst in a LA restaurant after news of his divorce was made public – had even ‘taken control’ of Mel’s social media accounts to post messages about himself as if Mel had written them.
INCREASINGLY TOXIC
But pals close to Mel, 41 – who was rumoured to be jetting back to the UK after being spotted at LAX airport last week – say the marriage had turned increasingly toxic in recent months, and Stephen was spotted cosying up to a mystery brunette at a New York restaurant in January.
A source says: “Mel wasn’t surprised when she saw the photo as she said she’d became used to Stephen’s flirtatious behaviour and was constantly hurt by how inappropriate he was.
“Mel and Stephen have always had a stormy relationship. They blew hot and cold so many times and Mel was just worn down by it all. She was also worried about him being a “control freak” and spying on her social media feeds.
“She’s even told pals she wouldn’t be surprised if Stephen moves on quickly just to spite her, which she knows is going to be hurtful. But she’s doing her best to rise above his behaviour.
Insiders say the loss of Mel’s dad, Martin, to cancer two weeks ago proved the final straw for her. She ended a decade-long feud with her family to be with him in his final days. Mel posted a snap on Instagram holding hands with her dad, as well as her 36-year-old sister Danielle.
The source explained: “Mel’s family made no secret of their disapproval when she married Stephen and she felt constantly torn between her husband and her family. Although he understood she wanted to be by her father’s side, he wasn’t happy about her wanting to reconcile with her mum [Andrea] and sister. Her father’s death put a lot of things into perspective.”
FAMILY CONCERNS
Mel and Stephen were friends for years before they started dating in February 2007. They wed in Vegas after a whirlwind romance just four months later. But the couple’s vow renewal in front of their families in Egypt in 2008 was overshadowed by a row with Mel’s family, after her mother questioned whether Stephen would get on with Phoenix Chi, 18 – Mel’s daughter from her first marriage to dancer Jimmy Gulzar.
Her family were reportedly worried about Mel’s safety as well, as Stephen admitted attacking his ex-girlfriend Nicole Contreras during a drunken row in 2003 and was forced to attend a domestic violence programme.
But Mel – who has five-year-old daughter Madison with Stephen, as well as Angel, nine, from a fling with actor Eddie Murphy – sided with her husband and ended contact with her family.
Through their time together, the couple weren’t shy about talking about their wild sex life either. Bisexual Mel, who reportedly shared foursomes with
her husband, once revealed: “Our therapist has encouraged us to indulge our fantasies.”
But in 2014 there were rumours of rows and fears Stephen was abusing Mel after she appeared on The X Factor with bruises and scratches on her face and arms – a claim he vehemently denied.
EXPOSING SECRETS
Sources say Mel is now preparing for a battle over her £48m fortune and is trying to sort out custody arrangements for Madison. A source says: “Mel and Stephen are communicating through their lawyers for the time being. Mel wants to at least be amicable with Stephen for the sake of the kids but, for now, she doesn’t want to make the situation any more bitter. She’s scared Stephen might do an explosive tell-all. There’s a lot people don’t know about their marriage, which she fears could impact on her career. She’s worried he may leak some of their secrets.”