Mel B Husband Stephen Belafonte Reportedly Leaves the UK After Former Spice Girl Is Seen on 'X-Factor' With Bruises
"X-Factor UK" judge Melanie Brown has allegedly split from her husband of seven years, Stephen Belafonte, following rumored reports of domestic abuse.
A report from The Sun claims that the former Spice Girl walked out on Belafonte "following a series of massive rows before her emergency dash to hospital."
Brown's "emergency hospital dash" caused her to miss Saturday's episode of the "X-Factor," Us Weekly reports.
The following day, Brown appeared on the show with noticeable bruises and scratches seen on her cheeks and arms which raised concern for many "X-Factor" viewers and sparked a Twitter frenzy about whether Brown had been abused. She was also seen not wearing her wedding ring on the show, which further fueled the domestic abuse rumors.
Despite the questionable marks and bruises, Brown's husband Belafonte took to Twitter to deny rumors that he abused his wife.
Check out Belafonte's tweet below.
A new report from the Daily Mail via The Sun now claims that Belafonte has chosen to flee the U.K. amid the domestic abuse allegations. He now allegedly resides in his Los Angeles home that he shares with Brown, while she continues to live in the U.K.
A source from The Sun claims that Belafonte fled the country before Brown was released from the hospital.
"But Stephen is playing hard to get and hoping that by leaving the country Mel will give in and agree to have him back," the source adds.
Prior to the domestic abuse rumor reports, Brown hinted at there being tension between her and Belafonte during a recent interview and Christmas cover shoot for Grazia. Contributing Grazia writer Olivia Foster wrote that Brown was three hours late to her meeting with the U.K. publication because she was arguing with Belafonte.
"I walked in pissed off because I had a big row with my husband about stupid stuff," Brown said. "Sometimes he pisses me off like no other, but he gets me."
News Au reports that back in 2007, Belafonte was charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Contreras. He later enrolled in a domestic violence batterers' program following his plea of 'no contest' to the charges.
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