SCARYSPLICE
She has had two failed marriages already but Mel B says she wouldn’t say no to husband number three...if he’s Mr Right
MEL B may have been unlucky in relationships but she still reckons you should Let Love Lead the Way.
The Spice Girl’s doomed romances include first husband Jimmy Gulzar and Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy, who she says will always be the love of her life.
And she has suffered two years of anguish amid a bitter and messy divorce from second husband Stephen Belafonte, who she alleges was physically and verbally abusive.
But speaking days after it emerged she enjoyed a “wild fling” with X Factor winner James Arthur – 13 years her junior – in 2017 after splitting from Belafonte, she insists she is still open to finding love.
In fact, she would even be happy to try making it third time lucky at marriage.
Mel, 44, said: “I would never say never. It’s not going to happen tomorrow, I’m not actively looking for anything like that but, yeah, if it happens! I think I’m always going to be a lover of love and a believer of love. I’ve always been positive.
“Everyone goes through ups and downs in relationships. I’ve been married twice, engaged a few times, but I don’t think I’ll ever give up on love – it’s a beautiful thing.
“I’ve been in love many times, I’ve been lucky enough to experience what a kind, loving relationship feels like. Love can be heartbreaking and, at the same time, it can be full of joy and passion and beauty.”
Mel was married to Gulzar, 44, from 1998 to 2000 and they have daughter Phoenix, 20. She dated Murphy, 58, in 2006 and he is the father of daughter Angel, 12. But her romantic life
really hit
I have experienced a kind, loving relationship
MEL B ON BEING A BIG FAN OF LOVE
the headlines when her explosive relationship with TV producer Belafonte, 44, came to an end.
They had been married for 10 years and cited “irreconcilable differences”, requesting joint custody of daughter Madison, eight. But things took a dramatic turn when Mel got a restraining order, claiming she suffered physical and verbal abusive throughout their marriage.
Claiming she tried to leave him several times, she added: “He threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life.”
Mel also claimed he forced her into threesomes and got their nanny pregnant – then used her cash for an abortion. Belafonte has strenuously denied all of Mel’s claims.
The singer said her relationship woes mean that she has effectively brought up her children alone.
She said: “I was a single parent for eight years with Phoenix when she was first born and being a single parent is really challenging because you do feel by yourself in a world where you’re doing it for the first time.
“Even throughout my marriage, I’d say I was kind of a single parent because I was doing everything for my kids, plus working.
“I’ve always been the provider and supporter for my kids. This time around, I have a little more support because Phoenix is 20. So, yeah, it feels very safe and lovely.”
The star’s marriage problems caused a family rift with mum Andrea and her former Emmerdale actress sister, Danielle. But they are now reconciled and she found being part of a large family crucial in getting through such a tough time. She is now even hosting her own podcast, The Truth Flirts, for dating app Badoo to discuss the highs and lows of romance.
Mel says: “Everybody needs time to heal, to build your inner strength back up, to start your healing process – that’s what I did, and that’s going to be an ongoing thing for me.
“Anybody who’s been in that kind of intense relationship should find time to do that. Being around my mum, my sister – my mum’s one of seven, so I’ve got lots of nephews and nieces – being around family has been amazing for me.”
Mel has now moved from her Los Angeles home back to her native Leeds, where she is focusing on raising her daughters.
And, just as she told us when the Spice Girl first exploded into the charts, she believes girl power is the way forward.
Mel said: “I’m close to all my kids. There’s a female energy in our house and we play music, we cook together, it’s a beautiful thing. All three of my kids are very, very different – they’ve all got strong, independent, caring personalities.
“I’ll find my 20-year-old posting something on Instagram and I’ll be like, ‘That is my outfit! Those are my trousers that I wore in one of my Spice Girls videos.’”
When Mel was Phoenix’s age, bandmates Ginger, Posh, Baby and Sporty used to help her pick her outfits for dates.
She said: “Back in the day, in my 20s, getting ready to go out for a date [involved] all the Spice Girls helping each other pick out the different clothes – but that was 20 years ago. From what I’ve experienced so far on the podcast, it’s a very different time to be dating!
“There’s so many dating apps, people have a lot more choice, but at least it’s all out there in the open if you’re really shy, or if you’re a bit nervous to go up to that person and ask them out.”
Mind you, Mel said she would rather stay at home and enjoy a cosy night in these days. She added: “I’ve never really been that girl that goes out and out and out, since I’ve been 15 or 16, I’ve always been the girl that opts to stay at home with my mum and have some dinner and watch TV.
“I’ve never really been like that – I’ve been on the party scene, don’t get me wrong, but I’m very much a homebody. I’m back in Leeds, looking outside my window at nature and sheep – it’s lovely.”
And after a hectic few months following the Spice Girls reunion tour earlier this year, Mel said finding her inner calm is more important than ever. She added: “I’ve always done meditation. I became a reiki master at 19, so I’ve always been into the mind, body and soul, and making it feel good.” ●The Truth Flirts is launched with dating app Badoo. Listen at bit.ly/TheTruthFlirts