Mel B’s Ex-Husband Files Request To Move To Miami With Their Daughter

Melanie Janine Brown, better known as Melanie B or Mel B to Spice Girls fans, was married to her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte, from 2007 to 2017. She was previously married to Jimmy Gulzar from 1998 to 2000.

In new legal documents obtained by The Blast, Stephen is asking a judge to allow him to relocate one of Scary Spice’s three children to Miami, Florida with him.

According to legal documents obtained by The Blast, Mel B's ex-husband, producer and director Stephen Belafonte, is asking a judge to allow him to relocate to Miami, Florida, along with their underage daughter, Madison Belafonte.

In the court filing, Belafonte requested that a judge allow him to move to relocate to Miami without any modification of the child custody orders that he and Mel B currently have in place.

“I am asking the court to allow me to relocate Madison, with whom I have approximately an 82% timeshare, to Miami Florida, pursuant to Family Code Section 7501," Belafonte wrote in the legal documents. "By relocating to Miami, there would be no prejudice to Melanie or need to modify any custodial orders given that Melanie, who lives in the United Kingdom (the “UK”), has already been residing away from Madison since 2019."

The court documents go on to state: "As discussed below, moving to Miami would provide me the opportunity to maintain a stable job without the need for frequent business travel that would cause separation from my daughter. To the extent Miami is closer to Melanie, the flights to the UK for Madison’s visits with Melanie are shorter and less expensive."

"Moreover, given Melanie has had the option to visit Madison in Los Angeles under our current orders, but has chosen to never exercise same, the closer proximity will in fact ease and enhance Melanie’s ability to visit Madison in the United States,” he goes on to say.

“I am committed to ensuring that Madison maintains a strong and healthy relationship with her mother, and I will continue to do everything in my power to facilitate that relationship if we move to Miami," he continues. "Moving to Miami will have no detrimental impact on Melanie’s relationship or visitation with Madison, rather, this move will make Madison’s visits to the UK easier as the distance and plane ride is shorter.”

“In addition, the proposed move will provide my daughter with a stable and supportive environment in which to thrive," Belafonte wrote in the lengthy court filing. "I have thoroughly researched the Miami area and have identified suitable housing options, reputable middle schools, and high-quality hospitals to ensure that Madison’s needs are met."

"Additionally, I have a stable job in Miami which would provide financial security for both me and Madison. Moreover, I have a supportive network of friends and family in Miami who will help us transition smoothly to our new life," he goes on to state. "My mother has agreed to move with us to Florida, providing Madison with the support and love of a grandmother."

Belafonte claims that their daughter Madison "has already made connections with children in Miami during our previous visits, and these relationships will provide her with a sense of familiarity and comfort during this transition.”

Although it seems that he is doing everything a good father should to make sure that their daughter Madison is happy and healthy in their new environment, he did hint that there is another reason for the move that involves Mel B.

“Madison has reported that Melanie has engaged in inappropriate behavior," Belafonte alleged in the court filing. "These actions have left Madison uncomfortable and even terrified of her mother.”

It is unclear what "inappropriate behavior" Belafonte is alleging in the legal documents, but it seems to contradict what he previously wrote in the legal filing, which states that “I am committed to ensuring that Madison maintains a strong and healthy relationship with her mother, and I will continue to do everything in my power to facilitate that relationship if we move to Miami."

It seems that Madison has been going to therapy regularly, as Belafonte goes on to state that “It is my intention to make sure Madison continues to have access to her therapist and minor’s counsel at all times, regardless of the move to Florida."

"The move to Florida should not inhibit Melanie’s access to Madison in any way, nor pose any detriment to Madison," he adds. "I ask the Court to grant my request allowing me to move to Miami, Florida such that Madison may start school in the Fall of 2023.”

The court date for Stephen’s request is scheduled for next month.