Mel B’s ex-husband’s defamation lawsuit dismissed by Florida judge

A Florida federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against Spice Girls singer Mel B by her former husband, Stephen Belafonte.

Belafonte had accused the singer, whose full name is Melanie Brown, of damaging his reputation through allegations she made about their marriage.

The dispute included statements contained in Mel B’s memoir Brutally Honest, in which she accused Belafonte of abusive behaviour.

Belafonte has denied allegations that he abused her.

The latest ruling did not determine whether the disputed statements were true or false.

Instead, the judge concluded that Florida did not have sufficient jurisdiction over Mel B for the case to proceed there.

Belafonte had argued that statements published and read in Florida harmed his reputation and business interests in the state, but the court found that connection insufficient.

The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, meaning Belafonte may still be able to pursue the claims in another appropriate court.

The ruling therefore represents a procedural dismissal rather than a final judgment on the underlying allegations between the former couple.

Mel B and Belafonte married in 2007 before separating in 2017.

Their relationship and subsequent legal disputes have continued to attract public attention in the years since their divorce.