Mel B’s Private Emails Used as Evidence in Custody War, Spice Girls Star Accuses Ex-husband of ‘Unreasonable Demands’ That Left ‘Everyone in Tears’
May 24 2023, Published 12:30 p.m. ET
Mel B’s emails to her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte have been released as evidence in their nasty custody war over their 11-year-old daughter Madison, RadarOnline.com has learned.
As we first reported, Mel and Stephen are currently fighting over where Madison will live. Currently, the child lives with Stephen in Los Angeles. He has most of the custody and Madison makes trips to visit Mel in the UK throughout the year.
Stephen recently asked the court for permission to move to Florida. He said there were better work opportunities in Miami. He argued the move would allow for shorter flights for Madison when she visits Mel.
In response, Mel demanded Madison move to the UK to live with her instead. She said she had “serious concerns” about Stephen’s ability to parent. In addition, she questioned whether he was drinking excessively and demanded he submit to random drug tests.
Mel said she was initially granted primary custody of Madison. However, she had to move overseas after her work visa expired in the summer of 2019.
“Madison’s sisters, Angel and Phoenix, relocated with me to the U.K. where we live minutes from nearly all of our friends and family. Moving to the U.K. without Madison was devastating for the girls and me. The three girls have always had a very close relationship and enjoy spending time together. Madison would thrive socially, emotionally, and academically if she were permitted to live with me and her sisters in the U.K. during the school year,” Mel wrote.
“I have serious concerns about Stephen’s ability to care for Madison in a manner consistent with her best interests. Stephen continuously attempts to alienate Madison from her sisters and me,” she added.
As we first reported, Stephen has opposed the request and claimed the custody arrangement should stay as is and he should be allowed to move to Miami.
As part of the battle, a private email sent by Mel to Stephen in August 2022 was revealed. The email accused Stephen of refusing to allow Madison to take a trip with her sisters to Paris while on a trip to the UK.
Mel wrote to her ex-husband telling him he had messed up their plans with his “unreasonable concerns and demands.”
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She said he had forced her to incur legal costs “requesting your permission” which she claimed made Madison’s “entire trip with her sisters stressful and full of fear.” Mel said the trip to Paris was canceled due to Stephen’s “abusive control and demands leaving everyone in tears.”
A judge has yet to rule on custody.
Mel and Stephen were married from 2007 until their divorce was finalized in 2017. The two have been in and out of court ever since.
