Mel B turns to Mum: “Move in with me!”
Pals say the singer has asked for her mum’s support after splitting from Stephen Belafonte
She made her first public appearance since filing for divorce, last week appearing at the press launch for America’s Got Talent. Now insiders say Mel B has asked her mum – who she recently reconciled with after 10 years of estrangement – to move to the US to support her through her marriage breakdown.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Insiders tell Closer how, despite putting on a brave face for the cameras, the emotionally-fraught star, 41, is struggling to cope behind the scenes. She wants, Andrea, 60, to temporarily move into her LA mansion to bond with her three grandchildren – Phoenix, 18, Angel, nine, and Madison, five.
Mel – who recently flew back to the UK to attend her father Martin’s funeral – fell out with her family in 2007 after they voiced their concerns over her marriage to TV producer Stephen Belafonte, who admitted battering his ex wife.
A source says: “Losing her dad put things into perspective and now Stephen’s gone, Mel doesn’t want to waste any more time. She’s been pining for her mum for so long and now she’s at her lowest ebb, she really needs her support and wants to make up for lost time.”
A FRESH START
Last week Stephen’s brother Jeremiah Stansbury, 41, claimed Mel ditched her husband after he flirted with the nanny, brought a gun into their house and punched their dog so hard it collapsed. He also claimed the couple had an “open and loose” relationship.
Sources say Mel – who’s also invited her sister, Danielle, and her kids to join them in the school holidays after mending their bitter rift – hasn’t had any contact with Stephen – who was recently seen cosying up to a mystery lady – and is worried about his next move. A source adds: “Mel doesn’t want to do anything to make the situation more fraught than it already is so she’s keeping her distance.
“She just wants to get the divorce and custody agreement settled as quickly as possible so she can move on with her life.”