How Mel pulled off her three-year escape plan
after claims that Mel B ‘waited until everything fell into place’ before leaving her husband stephen, insiders reveal her secret plot to protect her assets and children
It’s been one of the messiest splits in showbiz history, with claims of domestic violence, sordid sex revelations and scandalous details of their abusive 10-year marriage being laid bare.
Socialite Lady Victoria Hervey, 40, confirmed rumours she had a threesome with Mel B and Stephen Belafonte, both 41, and said Mel – who’s been granted a restraining order against her estranged husband and their former nanny Lorraine Gilles – reached out to her via Instagram to address fears of a sex tape being released. Victoria says: “She [Mel] said he controlled her finances and she wasn’t initially strong enough to leave him. She waited until everything fell into place before she could do it and finally she knew it was time. No woman should suffer like she has. I feel terribly for her.”
A NEW LIFE
It was recently revealed that Simon Cowell, 57, had introduced former Spice Girl Mel
to divorce lawyers following her release from hospital and her bruised appearance at The X Factor final in 2014.
Now pals tell Closer how Mel has been working for years on a secret escape plan to protect her children – Phoenix, 18, Angel, 10, and five-year-old Madison – as well as her £48 million fortune.
An insider reveals: “Mel’s been leading a double life for quite some time. She’s been working with lawyers for over three years to ensure she has a new life set-up, including lining up a new home without Stephen’s knowledge.
“She’s also been having secret life coach sessions and seeking help from domestic abuse charities to give her the confidence to fight this battle. Mel’s been working with a private investigator for months, which Stephen now knows about, and she said if the details about his private life were exposed it would ruin him, so she’s got the upper hand.”
However, Stephen has categorically denied all claims of domestic abuse levelled at him, calling Mel’s accusations “outrageous and unfounded.”
Lady Victoria revealed how Mel sounded “pretty together” when they spoke shortly after her divorce announcement, adding: “I think she has to be for the sake of her kids. She sounded really strong and like she was in control. Yes, she’s worried Stephen is manipulating things and putting lies out there, but I reassured her I hadn’t been in contact with him.”
SPEAKING OUT
Stephen’s ex-girlfriend Nicole Contreras, 41, broke her 14-year silence about her abusive fiveyear relationship with the “evil” film producer last week as she revealed horrifying details of a choke attack. She also described him as “abusive, controlling and manipulative” as well as a “narcissist and a sex addict.”
Nicole – who has 12-year-old Giselle with Stephen – broke down as she admitted she should have warned Mel about the constant abuse and revealed how she texted the star. She said: “I asked Mel if she was OK and she said she was getting on all right. I had genuine concern.”
Last week, Closer reported how Mel was at breaking point after her split – and pals say she’s doing everything in her power to ensure she doesn’t hit rock bottom.
A source says: “Mel’s still in a daze. She didn’t realise how emotional she’d feel in the aftermath of the split.”
The source adds: “Mel will go from being a sobbing wreck to putting on what she calls her ‘power wardrobe’ and defiantly stepping out in public to prove how she won’t be defeated by Stephen. Her mood very much changes from hour to hour; she’ll go from being in a rage to floods of tears. But her kids are keeping her going and they’re still her number-one priority. She’ll get through this for them.”
Pals say Mel is now getting professional help in order to help deal with her emotions.
A source says: “Mel’s doing a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure she builds up her strength ahead of the court case, and has started regular counselling sessions. She’s also working on setting up her own charitable foundation for domestic abuse victims, which is giving her something positive to focus on.”
‘Mel’s building her strength ahead of the court case’