Mel B's ex-husband Stephen Belafonte files $5 Million Defamation Lawsuit

Mel B's ex-husband Stephen Belafonte has filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against the Spice Girls singer in a Florida court.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Belafonte accuses Mel B of orchestrating a campaign to cause him emotional distress and destroy his reputation since their 2017 split.

Mel B filed for divorce from Belafonte in March 2017, alleging abuse. Belafonte has denied the claims. He claims Mel B's false allegations damaged his character and led to him losing access to his home and children.

The lawsuit also accuses Mel B of using her charity work to further her own interests and fame. Belafonte claims Mel B's texts to fellow Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell show she used her charity work for personal gain.

Additionally, Belafonte claims Mel B's substance abuse problem harmed their marriage. During their custody hearings, the court declared Mel B a "habitual and frequent" drug abuser.

Mel B has maintained her abuse claims and has spoken publicly about her experiences. She has moved on with her fiancé Rory McPhee and has written about her struggles in her memoir, Brutally Honest.