‘I’ve been close to death’: Mel B’s emotional confession

MEL B has admitted she has been “close to death” and “paralysed with fear” in an emotional post written in the aftermath of her divorce from husband Stephen Belafonte.

The former Spice Girl made the shock admission in a lengthy message to fans on Instagram, just days after her split with Stephen was finalised in the courts, The Sunreports.

Referencing her father’s tragic death in March, Mel admitted in her post that she has been “incredibly weak” several times in the past.

But she added that these experiences have only made her stronger, telling fans she is now “extremely fearless”.

Mel’s post was written alongside a message that declared: “After my father’s death, nothing could touch me anymore.”

The singer said: “People often say to me ... ‘oh Mel B, you’re so strong’ and I have to think to myself, yes I am strong, but listen, I’m only strong because I’ve been incredibly weak [sic].

“During that weak time I taught myself how to access my inner strength, and I did listen.

“In my life I have been through many different situations that not many people know about.

“I have been close to death literally and paralysed with fear which in due course over time has made me fearless, extremely fearless.”

Mel went on to admit that she used to think she was “the strangest person in the world”.

But added: “Then I thought, come on now, there are so many people in the world, there must be some out there just like me who aren’t afraid to feel bizarre and flawed in exactly the same way I do ...

“Yes I am different and I’m not black and I’m not white and I’m not pink and I’m not green.

She then warned: “Be careful who you invite into your soul, surround yourself with people that are only going to take you higher whether that be spiritually or physically.”

Mel was granted her divorce from Stephen last Friday.

She was not in court in Los Angeles to hear the settlement, which will allegedly see Stephen “walk away with over $14 million”.

Their bitter divorce battle had played out in the press for months, with both Mel and Stephen making shocking allegations against one another.

In the ruling, Mel was forced to cover Stephen’s legal fees — reported to be around $314,000 — and has agreed to split the proceeds of the sale of the companies they created during their marriage.

Mel and Stephen will also share custody of their six-year-old daughter Madison.

The judge ruled that the former lovers, who married in June 2007, must also split the profit from the sale of their Los Angeles mansion.

Speaking to The Daily Mail afterwards, Stephen said: “I am happy. I got everything I wanted. She put me through the worst hell ever. But now it’s all over — I hope.”

In the weeks after their split, Mel claimed Stephen was violent towards her throughout their 10 year marriage, allegations he continually denied.

Days before the divorce was finalised, Mel revealed she had cut out a tattoodedicated to her husband.

This story originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission.