Mel B’s Ex Husband Moves To Shut Down Her Sanction Plea In $5 Million Lawsuit
The legal drama between Mel B and her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte, continues with more allegations about the singer.
Belafonte recently responded to the former Spice Girls member's petition to sanction his $5 million defamation lawsuit. He argued that her motion should be denied, claiming to be the real victim in the case.
Mel B and Stephen Belafonte have been butting heads since their 2017 separation, with the singer accusing her ex of domestic violence, verbal abuse, and more crimes — All of which he has vehemently denied.
Mel B's Ex-Husband Accuses Her Of Running A Years-long Smear Campaign
In new court documents, Belafonte opposed Mel B's sanction plea and implored the court to toss it. His legal rep penned several arguments in his favor, revolving around the 49-year-old's never-changing tune of the singer's defamation of his character.
"[Mel's motion for sanctions] is a vexatious tactic calculated to increase the costs of this litigation and waste the Court's limited and valuable judicial resources," the filing claimed. Belafonte's attorney noted the lawsuit was more than a defamation case, noting:
"[Stephen] initiated this action against [Mel] following [Mel's] near decade-long campaign to cause him severe emotional distress and destroy his reputation."
The documents obtained by In Touch further stressed that the singer's "planned takedown and harassment of [Stephen] began with a fraudulent claim of domestic violence in California court in 2017 and continues in rapid-fire motion to this day."
Stephen Belafonte Slams Mel B's Alleged Efforts To Defame Him
Belafonte claimed Mel recently increased her efforts to defame him by promoting her false narrative in the press and media. The list included her appearances on TV shows like "The View," "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," and "The Jennifer Hudson Show."
Belafonte doubled down on having proof of Mel's "wide-ranging, diabolical harassment campaign" and implored the court to allow his defamation case to proceed. On the other hand, his ex-wife argued his lawsuit was a "blatant abuse of judicial process."
The Blast reported that the Spice Girls member slammed Belafonte's defamation case as a baseless attempt to silence her. Her legal rep claimed he was displeased because she opened up about the alleged abuse in the tumultuous marriage.
The Spice Girls Alum Refuses To Stay Silent
In her motion to dismiss Belafonte's lawsuit, the 49-year-old's lawyer argued that her ex-husband "filed this baseless SLAPP suit to litigate plainly time-barred matters in a foreign forum that lacks personal jurisdiction over Brown."
The entertainer's rep stressed the importance of her platform, noting she used it to advocate for vulnerable women globally. On that note, Belafonte's lawsuit was painted as an attack on Mel's constitutionally protected right to speak out.
The drama between the exes began in May, with Belafonte asking for $5 million and a gag order to stop the singer from talking or writing about him. He claimed he would donate all financial rewards to a women's abuse program.
Mel B Accused Her Ex-Husband Of Making Body-Shaming Comments
In October 2023, The Blast shared that Mel opened up about regaining her self-confidence following Belafonte's alleged verbal abuse. She claimed he body-shamed her with hurtful comments like "'You look old,' 'you look fat,' 'God, you are ugly,' [and] 'your arms are flabby.'"
Mel stressed that she had "thick skin" and could endure criticisms from the public, but it was different hearing snide comments from someone she trusted. She described his words as "rain," noting:
"They seep right into you, they wash away self-confidence, your sense of self and, when you look in the mirror, you don't see a strong, happy woman — you see a reflection of what you're told, 'fat, ugly, old . . . worthless.'"
Mel B Raved About Finding Happiness After Stephen Belafonte
Despite the alleged traumas Belafonte inflicted on her, Mel eventually learned to love again and regained her self-confidence. She credited her fiancée, Rory McPhee, for playing a significant part in her growth.
"It has taken me years, but I feel more confident than ever now, and I'm with a partner who tells me he loves me and tells me I'm beautiful every day," the mother-of-two gushed, adding:
"Being with a man who loves me, being with my family, having trusted loving friends, it all helps."
With Stephen Belafonte's refusal to back down in his defamation lawsuit, Mel B may need to gear up for a nasty court battle. However, a judge has yet to rule on their respective motions.
