America’s Got Talent and X Factor judge Mel. B. claims her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte physically abused her throughout their 10 year marriage. Read more at TMZ:
TMZ broke the story, Mel B got a restraining order Monday against Belafonte, claiming he beat her, choked her and threw her to the ground on multiple occasions. According to the documents, after an alleged beating in 2012 over Belafonte’s jealousy of Usher, producers of ‘X Factor’ (Australia) noticed swelling on her face and asked for a physician. She claimed it was an allergic reaction to shellfish and according to the document, the doctor on set bought her story.
She was also forced to miss a filming of ‘X Factor’ (UK) in late 2014 because her injuries were so bad they could not be covered by theatrical makeup. When she finally returned, she still had visible facial and body wounds yet no one sounded the alarm.
Around the same time, things got so bad, Mel B tried to take her own life by swallowing an entire bottle of Aspirin. She had a change of heart, tried calling 999, but she says Belafonte prevented her from doing so. At some point she says her friend, Randy, came over but Belafonte forced him to leave. Randy called an ambulance but Belafonte turned it away. Authorities were not alerted.
Rumors have swirled over the years regarding Mel B’s relationship with Belafonte. When the Ex-Spice girl was hospitalized in 2014, she took to social media to defend her husband.
‘I’m very good was very polly [sic] but much better now and for the record my hubby never would lay a hand on me sorry took so long but any response fuels rumors #lovemyfamily #lovemyfans.’
Here’s a Daily Mail piece that describes Belefonte’s criminal past, including beating another wife and beating a mallard to death.
