Mel B And Stephen Belafonte Split, ‘Taking A Time-Out From The Marriage’
Singer Mel B has reportedly separated from her husband, Stephen Belafonte after being married for more than six years.
The separation comes shortly after shocking allegations of physical abuse within their relationship surfaced earlier this week.
However, according to Radar Online, multiple insiders claim that the couple’s decision to separate did not have anything to do with those allegations.
One insider in particular opened up to Radar with a statement that addressed both the separation as well as the physical abuse allegations.
“[Mel B and Stephen Belafonte] are taking a time-out from the marriage. They love hard and fight hard. However, those fights are only verbal, and Stephen has never laid a hand on Mel, and would never hit her.”
The insider further addressed the rumors of infidelity involved the now-estranged spouses, as well as their current living arrangements.
“There is no cheating or anyone else. For the time being, Mel will remain in London, in a hotel, under the care of a doctor. Stephen returned to Los Angeles over the weekend.”
The rumors and speculation claiming that Mel B was being physically abused by her husband spread after the former Spice Girl did not attend the live taping of X Factor Saturday night. Reports confirmed that Melanie Brown (also known as “Mel B”) was hospitalized due to “an unspecified illness.”
On Sunday night, the rumors were sparked again after Mel B showed up to the show’s finale without her wedding ring but with noticeable bruises on her arms.
Radar reports that an inside source claims that the bruises of Mel B.’s arms were created during her actual hospital stay – not beforehand.
“The bruises on Mel’s arms were caused by I.V.s that were given to her during her stay in the hospital. The nurses had trouble getting the I.V. started because Mel is so thin, and it caused bruising.”
Even though Mel B and Stephen Belafonte are reportedly separated, an inside source claims that they are still on good terms and talking on the phone.
“There is a lot of love between them, and no lawyers have been hired. Nor has there been any talk of divorce. They are just trying to figure it all out.”
After being romantically involved for four months, Mel B and Stephen Belafonte were married in a secret ceremony at a Las Vegas wedding chapel back in June of 2008. The following year, they decided to renew their wedding vows in the presence of their respective families in Egypt.
As of now, Melanie Brown (Mel B) has not made any comments via social media about her hospitalization or the current state of her marriage.
[Image Credit: Page Six]
