21 October 2023 , 08:00
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Melanie Brown MBE has praised her daughter, Phoenix, for being a continued support for her – both at home and in her career.
Over the years, the pop songstress has been joined by her daughter, 24, at various events including the 2019 Spice Girls tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland. But most recently, they've been working more closely than ever after modelling a lingerie collection together.
Melanie, 48, admits that her daughter has been there for her during the darkest times of her life and helped her overcome such troubling periods. Mum-of-three Melanie has never shied away from being open about her life, including an attempt on her own life, as well as an insight into her marriage.
Opening up exclusively to the Mirror, the Feels So Good singer praised her daughter and their tight bond. Speaking from her home, Melanie laughed when asked if she and Pheonix are more like sisters than mother and daughter, before adding: "Phoenix is always my daughter. We get on really well and we can have fun together, have a laugh together, and discuss anything we want to discuss with full openness but she is always my daughter.
Melanie says Phoenix is hugely supportive of her (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Melanie has opened up to the Mirror as part of our Belonging Project (Getty Images)"No one can make me laugh like Phoenix can, I did have her young so she's been with me every step of my life. I'm incredibly proud of her." But this all changed in 2018 when Melanie opened up more than ever in her heartbreaking memoir, Brutally Honest. Putting pen to paper with Louise Gannon, the Leeds-native shed light on her being catapulted to global fame as well as her alleged abusive marriage to her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte. During their relationship, Melanie attempted to take her own life.
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Belafonte has denied allegations made against him.
But while it was painful for her to rake up the past and the trauma she endured, Phoenix was on hand to support her mum. The star who recently returned to the America's Got Talent panel said: "She was a massive encouragement to me when it came to writing my book, Brutally Honest, about my ten-year abusive marriage." Since her mum publicly shared what she experienced to help other women and became a patron for Women's Aid, Pheonix has also stepped up.
"She's been incredibly supportive of my work as Patron of Women's Aid and works with Women's Aid herself going into schools, and talking to kids about the effect living in an abusive situation can have on them. She's an amazing young woman," she gushed. Melanie and Belafonte were officially divorced on December 15, 2017, nine months after she filed the petition. She accused him of emotional and physical abuse.
Mel B stood on stage at The X Factor final and had her bruises on display as a clear message to the worldDiscussing the night she attempted to take her life after ten years of alleged abuse, Melanie wrote that she took 200 pills before launching her body at a bathroom door to get out as it was jammed. Just one night later, she was due to appear at The X Factor Final – in front of millions, with her body covered in bruises.
Writing in Brutally Honest, she says she was adamant about being on stage, despite warnings from medical staff. After her stylist said she had a dress with sleeves to cover up her bruises, Mel penned: "I've picked the dress already. No sleeves." She added: "The bruises were still visible as I put on a beautiful, long white silk dress, semi-sheer at the top then hugging every curve of my body.
"I would stand proud in this stunning white dress, the marks of my agony all over me. I asked for my hair to be pulled right back from my face. I needed to be seen. I needed all those bruises to be seen. My message to the world and to my husband was going to be VERY CLEAR. I wanted people out there watching to be my witnesses. I took off my vast, square-cut diamond wedding ring. A ring I'd worn on The X Factor a few weeks before to show the world what a solid couple Stephen and I were." Mel added: "I let go of Louis' [Walsh's] hand and lifted my left hand into the air, directly in the centre of the camera focus, knowing the TV audience, the press and, most important of all, Stephen would see my ring-less finger. 'F**k you big time,' I thought."
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.