Mel B takes a swipe at ex Stephen Belafonte in emotional message about domestic violence after Nicole Kidman’s Emmys speech and calls herself a ‘domestic violence survivor’
MEL B appeared to have a dig at her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, after publicly thanking Nicole Kidman for speaking out about domestic violence during last night’s Emmy Awards.
The former Spice Girl is currently locked in a nasty divorce battle with Stephen, after the pair their break up last December after a decade of marriage.
Nicole, whose Big Little Lies character suffers at the hands of her husband in the gritty HBO series, said she wanted to make people more aware of the “insidious disease” of domestic abuse.
After listening to her impassioned plea, Mel posted a picture of Nicole holding her Outstanding Lead Actress gong on Instagram, with her speech printed over the picture.
She wrote next to it: “We are not alone, remember that. ‘The light is shined’ again thanks to @nicolekidman at the @televisionacad and always has been.
“So [please] trust and believe. You don't have to be a victim no more. You do have the power and support to stand up to this, leave all your shame and pain with your abuser, if not the ‘Diablo’ WILL kill you.”
Mel’s fans rallied around her following her post, with one telling her: “We are all here for you and you're so strong Mel you can do this.”
Nicole’s speech saw thousands praise her on Twitter for speaking out about domestic violence on such a large platform.
Nicole, 50, said: “Sometimes when you’re acting, you get a chance to bring a bigger message. We shone a light on domestic abuse.
“It is a complicated, insidious disease, and it exists far more than we allow ourselves to know.
“It is filled with shame and secrecy, and by you acknowledging me with this award, it shines a light on it even more. So thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Mel B’ on-going legal battle with Stephen intensified last week when it was claimed how Mel had “begged” the judge to make the case private to stop their sex tape becoming public.
now reports that Mel asked a judge to keep their court dealings private after she learned that Stephen intended to admit a sex take into evidence.
Her lawyers claim the court has a duty to shield the singer's three children from being "exposed to any illicit material" that might become public if it is played in court.
Her team suggests the case is sealed, blocking the press from reporting all the saucy details of the former couple's court fight.
Recent reports previously suggested the tape shows Stephen getting down and dirty with another woman and Mel is alleged to have recorded the explosive home video herself.
A judge is expected to make a decision on whether to make the proceedings private by the end of the month.
Mel has kept a dignified restraint amid the ongoing war between her and her former partner, and she appears confident the “truth” will come out.
Last week, she posted a note on Instagram today that read: “The truth always comes out in the end, no matter how hard anyone tries to hide it or stop it.
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“Lies are just a temporary delay to the inevitable.”
Mel accused Stephen of being physically abusive, and alleged he beat her so badly before The Factor final in 2014 she had to pull out.
The bitter divorce battle has been complicated by a lawsuit from former nanny Lorraine, who is suing Mel over her affair claims.
According to reports, Stephen will only get a fraction of the Spice Girl's £48million fortune due to a prenuptial agreement.
In July 2017 it was reported Mel is paying Stephen £30,500 a month as emergency spousal support and is covering his legal fees to the tune of £106,900.