Mel B was left with only £700 after leaving abusive ex Stephen Belafonte
Mel B revealed how 'badly affected financially' she was after leaving her abusive ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
The Spice Girl, 48, has openly spoken about being in an abusive relationship with ex-husband Stephen in recent years - something which he has always vehemently denied. Mel B and Stephen secretly married in June 2007, with the star splitting up with the 48-year-old 10 years later.
After she left him, Mel B was strapped for cash and had to move in with her mum Andrea in her bungalow and shared a bed with her three children - Phoenix, Angel and Madison. Despite her successful career, she was left with 'nowhere to go' because of the relationship.
“Because I was so badly affected financially from my relationship, I had to pick up the pieces," she said as she remembered having only £700 in the bank after she lost control of her finances while married to Stephen. She also said she didn't have access to a credit card while in the relationship. Five years later, she got back up on her feet and moved out of her mum's house.
Mel B was 'badly affected financially' from the relationship (Jay Mawson for Pour Moi)
She was married to Stephen Belafonte for 10 years (WireImage)The Spice Girl icon remained positive through it all and said she spent a lot of time 'speaking to abuse survivors' and showing how it could 'happen to anyone and you can build yourself up.' When she had little to no money left, she would shop in bulk at Costco and ended up shopping at Aldi and Lidl.
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No one recognised her when she wore a facemask in the supermarket during peak Covid times. “I stood in a queue for the first time in a long time. No one batted an eyelid," she explained, as reported by The Sun. “After being in an abusive relationship for years you really have to rebuild yourself inside and out. Nobody can do that apart from you."
Despite leaving Stephen, the star struggled with the trauma of it and said it 'affected her whole family.' After everything she has been through, the star built herself back up and has been busy with endless projects and being with her family. “I’m a work in progress. But look how far I’ve come," she added.
Not only is she now voicing her own cartoon series, Happy Town, but she was also recently a judge on Queen of the Universe and America's Got Talent: Fantasy League. The star also shocked fans as she appeared on The Masked Singer France as The Sun. Most recently, she joined the Celebrity version of The Great British Bake Off among a host of stars.
In 2022, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours for services to domestic violence victims. "I never thought I would be here getting this MBE for the work I've been doing," she told the PA news agency afterwards. "It's amazing to have but it's not just for me - it's for all those other women."
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
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