It would be better for her children if ex-Spice Girl Mel B’s lurid split from Stephen Belafonte wasn’t so public
YOU never know what goes on behind the scenes in people’s relationships, but new revelations about the troubled home life of ex-Spice Girl Mel B really are eye-popping.
In a deposition read to an LA court this week she claimed that her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte drugged her before recording all kinds of sexual shenanigans, and that she was actually drugged for most of the decade they were together.
It has been an open secret for years that Mel and Belafonte had a “volatile” relationship but if these latest allegations are true, this is a whole new level of disturbing.
I happen to feel extremely sorry for her three daughters, who must be bewildered and deeply upset by all of these claims.
Apparently, some of the videos could end up being shown in court as the battle between Mel and her ex becomes even more toxic.
Mel has already claimed that Belafonte got their former nanny pregnant and gave her money for an abortion.
She has also claimed he was abusive in front of her children, screaming at her and calling her names.
Obviously, this is her side of the story and none of us has any idea as to whether it is true, but I can only imagine how upsetting it has been for Mel’s girls.
Her eldest daughter, Phoenix Chi, is 18, while Angel (whose dad is Eddie Murphy) is ten, and Madison (Mel’s only child with Belafonte) is just six. I know Mel is fiercely protective of her children and must have sat down with them to try to prepare them for some of the more lurid headlines that will come as a result of this increasingly bitter divorce battle.
I’m also sure big sister Phoenix will try to protect her younger siblings but it will be extremely difficult for all of them.
I remember when Mel was a judge on The X Factor back in 2014 and she really was one of the best.
She was firm but fair and had an incisive knowledge of how the music business actually worked. She was genuinely interested in her contestants and fought for them like a tigress.
Sadly, her expertise and commitment were overshadowed by the fact that she missed the first live final.
She now claims this was because Belafonte had caused “facial and body wounds that could not be concealed with make-up”, although at the time it was said she was ill and under doctors orders to miss the show.
In court papers, Mel has since stated that she took an overdose of aspirin and when she tried to call an ambulance, Belafonte became violent.
He strenuously denies all these allegations but if it turns out he really has been abusive, obviously he deserves to be punished.
I do believe, however, that it’s a great shame the divorce couldn’t have been settled behind closed doors for the sake of the kids.
According to those in the know, there’s even more scandal to come.
Movies on trial again
HOLLYWOOD is bracing itself for yet another scandal which, incredibly, could be even worse than the disgusting conduct of Harvey Weinstein.
Former child actor Corey Feldman has long been sounding the alarm about sexual abuse against young kids.
The star of 1987’s The Lost Boys claimed in his autobiography that he and his friend Corey Haim were sexually assaulted by powerful men in the movie industry.
Corey claims Haim, who died in 2010, was raped when he was just 11.
So far he has never named anyone but since the Weinstein revelations Corey believes it is time to bring down what he claims is a “paedophile ring” in Hollywood.
Now 46, he wants to make a documentary about his experiences but claims his life will be in danger if he speaks out.
If even a fraction of what he was allegedly subjected to turns out to be true, La La Land is a much darker place than we could have believed.
But sadly, when you consider that many A-listers queue up to work with director Roman Polanski – who was accused of raping a 13-year-old child and then fled the USA so he wouldn’t have to serve any jail time – I suppose nothing really comes as a big surprise.
Strictly gorgeous
CRIKEY. No wonder Bruno Tonioli bunked off Strictly last week.
He was contracted to work on the US version of the show but also used his time in Los Angeles to get to know ridiculously handsome model Matt Law – and who could possibly blame him?
Matt is, by all accounts, a lovely bloke as well as being easy on the eye.
Bruno certainly looked beamingly happy in his company and I hope the two of them become an item and can overcome the problems of a long-distance romance.
It was the first time in 13 years that the flamboyant Strictly judge has missed an episode of the UK show.
I think we should all forgive Bruno and cut him a bit of slack – but it will be good to have him back with us.
Tackle menace of litter
I WANT to hug broadcaster Alice Arnold, who is on a crusade to clean up our once green and pleasant land.
When she was stuck in traffic and saw a driver lob a plastic bottle from a car, Alice calmly got out of her vehicle, picked it up and threw it back in.
The driver was surprised but also ashamed and Alice was quite rightly hailed as a heroine.
But not everyone can be as brave and, sadly, there are some yobbos who would instantly go into full-blown “road rage” mode if confronted over their mindless littering. You need to pick your target.
Alice admits that when she confronted a boy for chucking litter in her street, he gave her a mouthful of abuse and she ended up having to pick up his rubbish.
It is high time littering became as socially unacceptable as drink driving.
People who litter are lazy and thoughtless. They have no respect for other people and are utterly selfish.
Even the most glorious and remote parts of our countryside, beaches and moorlands are now blighted by fast food wrappers, dirty nappies and plastic bags. Pavements and motorways are like dumping grounds for crisp packets and fag ends. Some disgusting drivers actually pee into plastic bottles then throw them out of their windows, not even thinking about what that will do to the environment or the unfortunate souls who have to pick up after them.
We are drowning in litter. It has somehow become acceptable just to chuck rubbish away instead of placing it in a bin or taking it home.
Years ago, the late great Ronnie Corbett starred in an anti-littering advertisement campaign which showed the diminutive comic up to his neck in garbage.
Despite his best efforts, things have only got worse.
But finally, the powers that be are taking notice.
Plans announced this week mean that councils will be able hand out on-the-spot fines of up to £150 from April next year, but we all know it will be impossible to impose these on every litterbug.
There needs to be a change in attitude – and more people like Alice who shame culprits into improving their behaviour and setting a good example to their kids and the rest of society.
Bizarre beauty tricks
EXPECT a nationwide shortage of powdered milk now the luscious Holly Willoughby has confessed it’s her beauty secret.
Holly puts a scoop of the stuff in her bath along with some lavender oil and dried rose petals and emerges like a goddess.
It’s cheap, cheerful and easily obtainable and well worth a go – although, knowing my luck, I will end up with a bathtub of curdled yoghurt.
— THE internet often gets a bad press, with many concentrating on the dark underbelly of social media.
But we shouldn’t forget that it’s also a valuable tool to gain knowledge and can be a lifesaver.
A mum from Staffs discovered she had skin cancer by using an app on her phone that monitored the changes to a mole on her chest via photos she uploaded.
Natalie Killian, 39, went to her doctor after the app warned that the appearance of her mole was cause for concern.
It turned out to be basal cell carcinoma.
Natalie had surgery to remove the mole and has since been given the all-clear.
She is convinced the app saved her life.
Good to have a positive spin on the worldwide web for once.
