Mel B fears losing 'America's Got Talent' job after admitting to serious tax debt problems
'Spice Girl' Mel B is scared that she might lose her 'America's Got Talent' job after admitting that she and her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte, owe £500,000 in US tax. The documents from her court battle were seen and it is unclear whether Mel B will be asked back for the TV competition.
According to The Sun, Mel B wrote in the documents: "I do not know if I will be asked back as a judge on 'America’s Got Talent.' Therefore, my current state of financial affairs is of utmost concern as Stephen and I have immense tax debts." Mel joined AGT as a judge for season 8 back in 2013 and has been on the panel ever since. Her contract with AGT is up for renewal in October 2018, however, it looks as though the deal may see a definite end this September.
The documents also reveal that she estimates her earnings at around £188,000 a month.
Mel B reportedly told the IRS that the money her tax debts has put a strain on her finances and the ongoing divorce battle hasn't left her in the position to keep up with her recent payments. "I do not have the financial capabilities at this point to pay for these community property debts," Mel B allegedly said.
"My current state of financial affairs is of utmost concern due to the fact that Stephen and I have immense tax debts and have been unable to repay those debts," she continued. The fact that her contract for 'America's Got Talent' is at stake would only add a lot more pressure and strain to her finances. In fact, court documents say that in 2017 the singer's net income plummeted to -$3.2million.
The mother of three shared, "I am currently a judge on the NBC television show ‘America’s Got Talent.' I am currently in contract until the end of October 2018. I do not know if I will be asked back as a Judge on ‘America’s Got Talent’ or if they will renew my contract."
However, despite all the drama and chaos that is surrounding her, Mel B did not seem to let any of that get to her and left the court with a huge smile on her face. Perhaps this is because Mel B is in love again and has confirmed it on Instagram. She took to the photo-sharing social media platform and wrote: "The way he makes me laugh and smile gives me butterflies beyond belief Everything about him makes me more than happy and grateful #humble #lovehim #truelove #finally."
Mel B did not give any further details about the mystery man behind her smile but clearly, she likes him enough for her to get butterflies!
Mel B and Belafonte split after citing 'irreconcilable differences' on March 20 last year after being together for around 10 years. The couple also requested joint custody of their then five-year-old daughter, Madison. The court proceedings took a nasty turn after Mel B obtained a restraining order claiming that Stephen had been physically and verbally abusive throughout their marriage in the year 2007. Since then, the pair has been against each other and their divorce settlement took an ugly turn. Court documents obtained by DailyMail reveal she spent more than $1M on lawyer and accountancy fees - and still owes nearly $800k more. In addition, the singer also has almost $100k still owing on two different credit cards.
In 2017, she says she paid Belafonte $422,500 in spousal support and contributions to his legal fees. She also shelled out $58,339.55 on a private investigator, $63,325.25 on meals and entertainment, $49,162.14 on medical bills and $120,805.87 on travel expenses. The upkeep of the Hollywood mansion where she and Belafonte used to live set her back $42,549.06 and just over $21k for the first half of 2018.
The allegations of domestic abuse had earlier surfaced in the year 2014 after Mel B appeared on the show the 'X Factor' and it looked as though she had bruises and marks. At the time, Belafonte argued at all the allegations were "disgusting and untrue." In the year 2007, when the allegations of abuse from Stephen's previous marriage with Nicole Contreras came to light, Mel B had, in fact, defended him.
Dates of alleged abuse include when Mel B became a runner-up on the show 'Dancing With The Stars' in the year 2007, another incident was allegedly after the former 'Spice Girl' performed at the closing ceremony for the London Olympics in 2012, and the time when Stephen thought she was flirting with the 'Yeah' singer Usher on Australia's version of the 'X Factor' the same year.
According to Stephen Belafonte's legal team, Mel's claims are "outrageous and unfounded" and Stephen flatly denies any abuse. In a statement, they said, "When the degree to which Ms. Brown has gone to create a false depiction of her marriage to Mr. Belafonte is uncovered, real victims and survivors of domestic violence will be understandably offended, angry and upset."
The couple has one child together, Madison Brown Belafonte and also have children from their previous marriages. Mel B has two more daughters- Phoenix Chi Gulzat, whom she had from her marriage to Jimmy Gulzar - and Angel Iris Murphy Brown whom she had from a brief and short romance with the Hollywood star, Eddie Murphy. Stephen also has another daughter, Giselle Belafonte whom he had with his previous flame, Nicole Contreras.
A devastating letter showed Angel confess that she finally had "no fear" given Stephen's absence from the house and claims about how Belafonte was abusive to Mel B, as well as, the other children. The letter read, "I'm very frightened of Stephen. When he is mad it's terrifying. I never want to see him ever again it'd be like reliving a horrible part of my life. We can eat up an actual dinner table and I can see my REAL dad. I create small picture books and I have no more fear. I love seeing my real dad! And I loved seeing my mother happy! Not sad! Please don't make me see him again – ps Angel."
It is rumored that Stephen would make the children eat off the floor. In response to the allegations, Stephen added that he would not have been granted visitation rights to his daughter whom he shares with Mel had been truly harmful and dangerous.
"I can't make anyone believe if I tell them that I'm not or I am, but I can tell them one thing that pretty much will have them think for themselves. Mel right before the 12th hour of our trial in which I had these amazingly horrific allegations leveled one me, decided to settle and part of that she is giving me the right to see, not her, but the courts, are giving the right to see my youngest daughter Madison. Why would I be able to see my daughter Madison, who is six-years-old, and not my other daughter?" [sic]
Outside of all the mess in their personal lives, Mel B is also focusing on her upcoming 'Spice Girls' tour which looks as though it is very much happening. "We’re going to be performing. Finally, we’re going to be performing," she announced on NBC’s US show Today. Finally, they’ve got it together!"