Mel B Shows Off Her Scars After She Has Estranged Husband Stephen Belfonte’s Name “Cut Out” Of ‘Till Death Do Us Part You Own My Heart’ Tattoo On Her Rib Cage
Mel B has had a tattoo tribute to her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte sliced off her ribs in a dramatic gesture to draw closure on their ‘toxic relationship’.
The 42-year-old former Spice Girls star had the words: ‘Stephen, till death do us part you own my heart’ inked along her ribcage yet she has now had his name cut away while intending to keep the rest of the wording.
Speaking of the drastic op, she said: “I wanted the tattoo removed to help close the final chapter on a toxic relationship. Even though I’ve taken the steps to remove Stephen’s name from my body, the domestic abuse will forever remain with me.”
Mel married Stephen in 2007 before filing for divorce in March this year – citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ and claimed domestic abuse before becoming locked in a bitter custody battle over their six-year-old daughter Madison.
According to TMZ, the couple have settled on both sharing custody and arrange a schedule for physical care between them, but neither will pay child support.
While things rage on legally, Mel seems keen to rid herself of any personal vestiges of her husband – leading to her shocking tattoo removal which she underwent with the use of local anaesthetic rather than go through the lengthy laser process.
Shocking images show the star unveiling her scars as she partied in a golden two-piece with her flat stomach exposed and the bold inking sitting below her new scar.
Her removal comes nearly seven years to the day since she and Stephen headed to get matching inkings at the famed Sunset strip’s Shamrocks Tattoos in Hollywood.
The former Spice Girl has a large dragon on her left shoulder blade, a depiction of a phoenix on her right arm, in honour of her eldest daughter, Phoenix Chi, several tribal art tattoos, including one on her lower back, a Chinese character on her stomach and ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy’s name tattooed on her hip.
At the time she spoke of her and Eddie’s tattoos as she said: ‘That’s that. I mean we’re both tattooed. You don’t tattoo somebody’s name on your body if it’s brief and unimportant, let’s put it that way.”
At the end of last month Stephen and Mel reportedly settled their lengthy and ugly divorce battle acrimoniously for “£6.5million”. But it appears the conflict isn’t over, with reports claiming he has accused Mel of breaking their spousal agreement.
She in turn reportedly accused him of unreasonable behaviour, despite them coming to an agreement over spousal support and custody of their daughter.
According to reports, Stephen accused his ex wife of ten years of being late on her November spousal support payment, however Mel’s lawyer reportedly argued that her business deals fell through at the last minute, but she’s up-to-date on payments.
In turn Mel is said to be accusing him of unreasonable behaviour, claiming that he expects to turn up to their old family home without any advance notice. According to the site, Mel feels Stephen is ‘looking for any excuse’ to continue their battle.
It’s also believed the duo have come to an agreement over custody of their daughter Madison and have vowed to destroy any ‘compromising videos’ from their relationship.
“Mel is giving him a lot less than people think,” The reports revealed.
“Her lawyers got him locked down to destroy the explicit videos, which he claimed showed her engage in sexual acts under the influence allegedly of drugs and alcohol.Should he ever break that deal, he would be on the line for millions”.
It comes after Mel is believed to have paid out £500,000 in legal fees.
Stephen, however, will get spousal support for the next three years.
Custody of Madison and Belafonte’s application for step-father visitation of 10 year -old Angel – Mel B’s daughter by Eddie – are still to be settled.
Mel is also mother to daughter Phoenix, 18, with ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar, whilst Belafonte has daughter Giselle, 12, with ex Nicole Contreras.
