Is Mel B’s Husband Related to Harry Belafonte? The Truth Behind the Rumor

Mel B, the former Spice Girl and judge on America’s Got Talent, has been in the headlines for her tumultuous divorce from Stephen Belafonte, a film producer and director. The couple married in 2007 and separated in 2016, amid allegations of domestic abuse, infidelity and extortion by Belafonte. Mel B also accused him of forcing her to have threesomes with other women and threatening to release sex tapes of them.

But who is Stephen Belafonte, and is he related to the legendary singer and activist Harry Belafonte, as many people have speculated? Here’s what we know about his background, his relationship with Mel B, and his connection to the famous Belafonte family.

Stephen Belafonte’s Early Life and Career

Stephen Belafonte was born Stephen Stansbury in 1975 in Hollywood, California. He changed his surname to Belafonte when he moved to Los Angeles and started his film production company, Remag. According to IMDb, he has produced several movies, including Thank You for Smoking, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, and The Crow: Wicked Prayer. He also directed two documentaries, Straight from the Projects: Rappers That Live the Lyrics – Brownsville Brooklyn and Straight from the Projects: Rappers That Live the Lyrics – 3rd Ward, New Orleans.

However, Stephen Belafonte also has a criminal past. His brother, Jeremiah Stansbury, told The Sun that when Stephen was 13, he killed a duck in the street by smashing it over the head with a brick. A neighbor also claimed that Stephen pointed a rifle at her when he was a teenager. In 1994, he was arrested for burglary and theft charges. In 2001, he was convicted of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend Nicole Contreras. In 2003, he was charged with vandalism after he allegedly slashed the tires of Contreras’ car. In 2014, he was accused of assaulting a man in a hotel in London.

Stephen Belafonte’s Marriage to Mel B

Stephen Belafonte met Mel B in 2006, when she was pregnant with her second child by actor Eddie Murphy. They got married in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in June 2007, just four months after Mel B gave birth to Murphy’s daughter, Angel. They later renewed their vows in Egypt in 2008. They have one daughter together, Madison, born in 2011.

The couple seemed happy and supportive of each other in public, but behind closed doors, their marriage was allegedly abusive and toxic. Mel B claimed that Stephen Belafonte physically assaulted her on multiple occasions, leaving her with bruises and injuries that she had to cover up or explain away. She also said that he isolated her from her family and friends, controlled her finances, and manipulated her into having sex with other women while he filmed them. She said that he threatened to release the tapes or ruin her career if she ever left him or reported him.

Mel B finally filed for divorce from Stephen Belafonte in March 2017, citing irreconcilable differences. She also obtained a restraining order against him, alleging that he was violent, dangerous and mentally unstable. She said that she feared for her life and the safety of her children. The divorce was finalized in December 2017, after a bitter legal battle over custody, spousal support and property division.

Stephen Belafonte’s Relation to Harry Belafonte

One of the most persistent rumors about Stephen Belafonte is that he is related to Harry Belafonte, the iconic singer, actor and civil rights activist who is best known for his songs “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jump in the Line”. Harry Belafonte is also the father of actress Shari Belafonte and grandfather of model Malia Belafonte.

However, there is no evidence that Stephen Belafonte is related to Harry Belafonte or any other member of his family. In fact, Harry Belafonte’s spokesperson told TMZ in 2014 that they had never heard of Stephen Belafonte before Mel B married him. He also said that Harry Belafonte was not happy that Stephen was using his last name without permission.

Stephen Belafonte has never explained why he changed his name to Belafonte or if he had any intention of capitalizing on Harry Belafonte’s fame. He has only said that he is not related to Harry Belafonte by blood or marriage.

Conclusion

Is Mel B’s husband related to Harry Belafonte? The answer is no. Stephen Belafonte is not related to Harry Belafonte or any other member of his family. He is only related to Mel B by their former marriage, which ended in a messy and painful divorce. Mel B has since moved on with her life and career, while Stephen Belafonte has remained out of the spotlight.

Doms Desk

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