Mel B’s husband Stephen Belafonte accuses her of launching a ‘smear campaign’ against him to ‘cover up her own conduct’ during the marriage and protect her reality TV career
MEL B’s estranged husband Stephen Belafonte has accused her of launching a “smear campaign” against him in a bid to protect her reality TV career.
The Spice Girl has alleged he beat her and forced her into threesomes , but he is adamant she is just trying to “cover up her own conduct” during the marriage.
Mel made a series of sensational allegations against her former partner in court papers filed in Los Angeles as she requested a restraining order to keep him away from her.
Stephen has now hit back at Mel, accusing her of attempting to protect her work on family-friendly shows such as America’s Got Talent and The X Factor.
He slammed her allegations, which included claims he got their nanny pregnant, and called them “outrageous and unfounded.”
The statement from Stephen, , explained: “It’s a shame that Ms. Brown elected not to proceed in a respectful and amicable fashion in this very private matter.
“In due course, Mr. Belafonte will be filing his response to the outrageous and unfounded allegations made by Ms. Brown, which allegations he vehemently denies…
“When the Court determines the truth, it will become clear that this entire charade was nothing more than a smear campaign intended to cover up Ms. Brown’s own conduct during the marriage in light of her current involvement with a family television show, and in an effort to unfairly gain leverage both financially and with respect to custody of the children.”
The statement goes on to reveal Stephen is determined to clear his name in court so he can finally be reunited with his kids.
He has
It added: “When the degree to which Ms. Brown has gone to create a false depiction of her marriage to Mr. Belafonte is uncovered, real victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse will be understandably offended, angry and upset.
“Mr. Belafonte is confident that the truth will come out when he has his day in court at which time he looks forward to being reunited with his children.
“What matters most to Mr. Belafonte is the safety and well-being of his daughters and step-daughters.”
Mel and Stephen have a daughter named Madison together, and he is also step-dad to her two elder girls, Pheonix and Angel, from previous relationships.
The pop star-turned-reality TV judge recently launched the latest series of America’s Got Talent with her longtime boss Simon Cowell.
As well as previously judging Britain’s The X Factor, she has also appeared on the Australian version, The Voice Kids: Australia and Lip Sync Battle UK.
Stephen previously broke his silence about his estranged wife’s claims during a chat with a reporter.
He asked them to list the accusations, before saying: “Keep going, I’ve never heard these allegations.”
As the reporter said: “When she was on X Factor you accused her of having sex with Usher,” Stephen replied: “Usher’s not on X Factor, so how’s that possible?”
The reporter added: “She said as a result of these accusations you hit her…She also says you forced her to have threesomes and you threatened to release a sex tape.”
Stephen briefly laughed before asking: “So, I forced her to have threesomes? OK. You know what my comment to this is actually, because that is the mother of my children, I really really really am really distraught in my brain at how this is going to affect our children.
“In the depths that she’s gone to, that’s it. I’m really shocked at those allegations and that’s what it is.”
Spice Girl Mel’s divorce lawyers launched a petition for a restraining order on Monday to keep film producer Stephen to stay away from the singer and her three daughters.
The explosive new claims have come to light two weeks after the star surprised the world and filed for divorce shortly after the death of her father.
In the court papers, Mel claimed the film producer used to get aggressive and physically violent during their 10-year marriage.
TMZ states one of the dates on which abuse took place was in August 2012 when the singer performed at the closing ceremony for the London Olympics.
Mel is also said to have claimed her husband got their nanny pregnant and paid the nanny over $300,000 of Mel’s earnings for “alleged nanny service”.
It is also alleged that Stephen owned a gun despite being prohibited from carrying firearms as part of a previous domestic violence conviction with another woman.
TMZ states the judge has also ordered Stephen to leave the family home in the Hollywood hills.
The site claims Stephen was seen making his way to her house on Monday afternoon and packing his clothes.
Mel’s lawyers were reportedly permitted the restraining order on Monday
The pair separated in December, and divorce papers were filed last month.
Mel, 41, cited irreconcilable differences when she filed for divorce and is aiming for joint custody of their daughter Madison, five.
The America’s Got Talent judge has ruled out any spousal support cash for Stephen.
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220