Mel B is my hairo Her ex’s new girl is a fan

MEL B has a new celebrity fan – her ex-hubby Stephen Belafonte’s latest girlfriend.

Jessica Rich, 31, met film producer Belafonte years earlier and admits she strongly admired him AND his wife.

Speaking as Mel was pictured beaming and showing off a stunning new hairdo, she defended Stephen over the bitter divorce and claims of domestic abuse, saying: “He’s an amazing person.”

Jessica said: “Six years ago I always really liked Mel and I thought they were a really cute couple. I wish her the best of luck. I respect her 100 per cent and I hope everything works out. We are so perfect together. I have a good feeling and I think it could go far.”

Jessica, a f ashion designer and TV host, started dating Stephen, 42, last month. She said: “I admired Stephen from a distance and about four years ago I ran into him in LA and I wanted to reach out and give Mel some of my clothing brand.

“I didn’t speak to him for a couple of years. Then I heard what was going on with the divorce, I was like, ‘I’m so sorry.’ Then a month and a half ago he got back in touch.”

Jessica, who owns jessicarich.com and dresses stars including Kourtney Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, insists Stephen is a gentleman.

She said: “He is such a business guy, very smart and very driven.

“I am getting a lot of bad press about him though but I’m like, ‘As far as I know, he’s an amazing person.’

“Whenever you go through a messy divorce things are going to be said.

“You know Mel dropped the case so whatever Stephen p said was true.” Jessica is al also known for 2008 VH1 dating series Real Chance Cha of Love. Stephen was granted a divorce divorc from Mel, 42, in December De after nine months mo of bitter

co court battles.