Entertainment
Mel B reveals ‘cathartic’ experience watching domestic abuse video after being ‘shamed’: ‘I’m so glad I spoke my truth’-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro
The Spice Girls singer is selling NFTs to raise money and awareness for charity.
Mel B led the way at the Women’s Aid Love Should Not Hurt NFT Art Launch, part of the Come Together to End Domestic Abuse campaign, at Blacks Club (Picture: Getty Images)
Mel B has recalled the moment she felt free of ‘shame’ after coming forward with her experience of domestic abuse.
The Spice Girls singer has spent the past few years raising awareness about domestic abuse and violence, working with charity Women’s Aid and starring in the harrowing yet powerful music video, Love Should Not Hurt, directed by composer Fabio D’Andrea.
In May, the Wannabe hitmaker received an MBE for her services to charitable causes and vulnerable women.
Mel’s campaigning began after she ended her 10-year marriage with producer Stephen Belafonte in 2017.
Together with Fabio, the pop star is now releasing a special series of charitable NFTs in support of Women’s Aid.
Recalling her experience of working with the filmmaker and musician on the Love Should Not Hurt music video, Mel told Metro.co.uk at the pre-launch event at London’s first Crypto Club: ‘It was Fabio’s idea and this amazing thing he put together.
Fabio D’Andrea directed Mel in the powerful Love Should Not Hurt music video (Picture: Getty Images)
Mel was joined by her daughters Madison Brown Belafonte and Phoenix Chi (Picture: Getty Images)
The Spice Girls star said trying to remove the feeling of ‘guilt and shame’ is an uphill battle (Picture: Getty Images)
‘On set it was quite remarkable because I found out that everybody involved from the guy that did the lights to the guy that did the cameras, they’d all been involved in some kind of domestic violence scenario whether it be their parents, something they’d seen or whether they’d personally been involved themselves, so me watching it back was really cathartic like writing my book was. ‘
She added: ‘So I was glad I was able to tell a story based off my own story, so many women’s stories and men’s stories that I’ve learnt about.’
Despite her stardom, Mel, 47, has been able to connect with other domestic abuse survivors and is ultimately relieved that she gets to share their stories, and her own.
Former Love Island star Megan Barton Hanson was among attendees (Picture: Getty Images)
Mel B received an MBE for her services towards charitable causes and vulnerable women in May (Picture: Getty Images)
The Masked Singer judge explained: ‘I don’t really care about that [celebrity] stuff, all I know is that when I called up my friend Louise to write my book after I’d just got out of a 10-year marriage, I was just going through my divorce, she came to live with me on and off for about a year to write it with me and got quite high up people that I’d worked with on The X Factor, producers, writers, they all collaborated on stories that helped the foundation of the book.
‘So the book was really truthful and honest. For me it was the celebration that I was no longer living a life of being shamed.’
However, Mel, who is still ‘pinching [herself]’ about getting the MBE, refused to gloss over the reality of being a domestic abuse survivor.
‘Abuse is not nice no matter what way you look at it, you always feel that guilt and shame and hold that for the rest of your life, it’s an onward journey,’ she said. ‘I’m just so glad that I spoke my truth and I’ve have so many people behind me.
‘I’ve got an army of women who my story is their story, and their story is my story.’
To help Women’s Aid continue their incredible work providing life-saving services and promoting zero tolerance of domestic abuse, sales from the NFT collection will contribute vital funds in support of the Women’s Aid 50th anniversary campaign: Come Together To End Domestic Abuse.
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org.
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.
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