Daily Mirror

Mel B’s abuse fight11 as ‘brute’ ex jets in

Belafonte in UK as former Spice Girl’s charity film drops

- BY TOM BRYANT Head of Showbiz tom.bryant@mirror.co.uk @MirrorTom

MEL B’s ex-husband has jetted in to the UK – just as the former Spice Girl embarks on a campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The singer, 45, who claims she was abused by Stephen Belafonte during their 10-year marriage, has teamed up with Women’s Aid to star in a harrowing short film that shows her bloodied and bruised.

Its release coincides with Belafonte’s arrival in the UK. The film producer is travelling with 18-year-old TikTok star Malu Trevejo, who he manages.

Mel claims Belafonte, also 45, began a decade-long “reign of terror” on their wedding night in 2007.

SHAME

The star, who tried to take her own life three times during their marriage, says she was diagnosed with PTSD after the alleged abuse. Belafonte denies the claims.

Mum-of-three Mel detailed their relationsh­ip in her book, Brutally Honest, and went on to become a patron for domestic violence charity, Women’s Aid.

Talking about the short film, she said: “I know how very real the danger is to so many women and I’m not going to stop breaking the silence and the shame around this… we have to do something.

“This is what domestic violence and coercive abuse looks like underneath the fake smiles.” Malu this week said on Instagram that police quizzed her over an alleged lockdown breach at a London hotel. The Cuban singer said officers were called after she went outside to smoke.

Mel dropped her abuse claims against Belafonte as part of their 2018 divorce agreement.

His lawyer said the claims were “unfounded”.

I know how very real the danger is to women

MEL B AFTER STARRING IN WOMEN’S AID SHORT

 ??  ?? INJURED Mel shows wounded face in film
ACCUSED Mel B’s ex Stephen Belafonte
POLICE CALLED TikTok star Malu spoke to officers
INJURED Mel shows wounded face in film ACCUSED Mel B’s ex Stephen Belafonte POLICE CALLED TikTok star Malu spoke to officers

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