Mel B says women open up about their abuse as they approach her in supermarkets
Mel B revealed women have approached her in supermarkets to open up about their experiences of domestic abuse.
The Spice Girl, 48, known as Scary Spice, shares 12-year-old Madison with her allegedly abusive ex-husband Stephen Belafonte. She recently opened up about navigating her life after leaving her abusive and controlling husband after a decade-long marriage in 2017, with the star having to share a bed with her three children after moving into her mum's bungalow.
She filed for divorce from movie producer Stephen in March 2017, following allegations of abuse he repeatedly denied. Mel B has been open about her marriage to him and revealed women started opening up to her in supermarkets about their experiences of domestic abuse after she campaigned on the issue for several years.
During a panel in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Women's Aid on this year's International Women's Day, she discussed the difference in how her fans have been treating her since she started campaigning.
Mel B opened up about how her campaigning changed how people approached her (PA)
Mel split from Stephen Belafonte in 2017. He denies the allegations made by his former wife (WireImage)Mel said: “Before, it was like ‘all right Scary’, now I get women coming up to me literally in tears telling me their story when I’m in Aldi or Sainsbury’s. Now, it’s more of a conversation. It’s not really the conversation that you want to be having but I’m so glad that I’m experiencing that and I can talk about it.”
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She received an MBE in 2022 for services for charitable causes and vulnerable women and became a patron of Women's Aid. Mel B previously revealed how 'badly affected financially' she was after leaving Stephen. 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 claims 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 allegedly lost control of her finances while married to Stephen.
She also claimed 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. The singer tried to remain positive through it all and spent time 'speaking to abuse survivors' and showed them how it could 'happen to anyone and you can build yourself up.' Stephen has previously denied all allegations made by Melanie about their relationship.
*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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