Leeds' former Spice Girl Mel B opened up to Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain (GMB) in a candid interview on Monday, 17th May.
The singer shared her own experiences of domestic abuse with the presenter, appearing on the TV show to talk about her work with Women's Aid.
Mel has just released a new music video about domestic violence, in which she appears battered and bruised. Called Love Should Not Hurt, it was created in partnership with classical composer Fabio D'Andrea.
The new release is inspired by her conversations with other survivors of domestic abuse at a refuge in Leeds and the impact of lockdown on their situation.
Through it, she aims to highlight the different forms of abuse victims can suffer at the hands of loved ones.
The Guardian
Speaking to Susanna on GMB this morning, Mel said: "There were around 20 women sitting cross-legged on the floor and we all told our story. I told mine, then one woman went: ‘Oh my God, I went through the same thing. He took my car keys away on week three.’ We all had exactly the same story.”
"You just don't really know how to get out, or how to deal with it.
"There's a lot of shame and I'm saying lift that shame up."
She said the song, called Love Should Not Hurt, and its video were also inspired by her own experiences with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
During the course of their decade-long marriage, she accuses him of subjecting her to sustained “emotional and physical abuse” - a charge which he denies.
"The only way out is to kind of sporadically run and you don't even know where you're going or where you're going to get the help, you probably don't even have your own phone anymore and your friends probably haven't heard from you in months.” Mel continued on GMB.
"We really wanted to highlight how it can just escalate very very quickly to you feeling so trapped and alone.
Page Six
"I thought it was normal to not have my phone, normal to not have cash or a credit card on me, because I was told I lose things, everything was justifiable.”
Known for her Scary Spice persona, Mel B split from her ex-husband in 2018 after ten years together.
Now living back in Leeds with her mum Andrea and her eldest daughters, she revealed in a Guardian interview that at times she feared Belafonte would kill her.
She is now encouraging the Women's Aid film to be shared to raise awareness.
Speaking about the project, Mel B said: “I’m so incredibly proud to be part of this project which means so much to me because this is a collaboration of three things that are so important in my life. Music, dance and a way to highlight the ever-increasing issue of violence towards women.
“It seems strange to say I am proud of showing something so brutal and disturbing but it is my mission to raise awareness of something so many women go through every day, every week, every month of their lives.
“I have had my own experiences of abusive relationships but as patron of Women’s Aid I have spoken to so many other women, listened to what they have gone through and I know how very real the danger is to so many women out there and I’m not going to stop breaking the silence and the shame around this subject because it’s too much and we have to stand up and do something.
“This performance represents the stories and the experiences of those women I have met, spoken to or heard about.
“My heart breaks for every single woman and child who suffers from some form of domestic abuse. I want this to count for all victims of abuse. I want to help raise awareness, raise money and do anything I can to put a stop to this epidemic.”
UK News
What is going to be included in the UK’s planned under-16s social media ban?
In case you missed the landmark announcement yesterday, it has been confirmed that social media is to be banned for under-16s in the UK.
That’s right – in what is said to be a bid to ‘give kids their childhood back’ and set ‘a new normal’ for future generations by kickstarting a cultural shift, the Government has announced that social media platforms will be banned from offering their services to under-16s – meaning less time for scrolling and more time for play.
The Government says it plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, which was introduced back in 2024.
But what exactly does that mean? And what social media platforms are set to be included within the upcoming ban and which ones aren’t?
Well, according to the Government and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, the UK’s ban would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction, allow users to post their own material, alongside algorithms.
The Government has announced a social media ban for under 16s / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)
The ban will, therefore, include popular social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
But crucially, at this time, it is not intended for messaging services like WhatsApp to be included.
The Government says it is also planning to go even further than any other country, as on top of a blanket ban on social media, world-leading blocks on harmful functions – such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children – will also be blocked for under-16s, and will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites.
Restrictions on these functionalities will also be on by default for 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent what ministers are calling a ‘cliff-edge’ at 16.
And to go even further, the Government says it will be ‘looking in more detail’ at the potential to introduce overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18 – with more information to be provided on this next month.
“This is a decisive first step which marks a clear choice to put children’s wellbeing first and give them a healthy life online,” the Government said in a statement. “We stand ready to take further measures in the future.”
Speaking on the upcoming ban and further restrictions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.
“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”
Pioneering Bradford artist David Hockney has passed away aged 88
Clementine Hall
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential and recognisable artists, has sadly died.
Born in Bradford in 1937, David Hockney built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
He was best known for his vibrant paintings, from the iconic swimming pools of Los Angeles to the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy.
And of course you can't forget the adorable paintings of his sausage dogs Stanley and Boodgie.
This morning on Friday 12 June, it was sadly announced that David Hockney had passed away - just one month prior of his 89th birthday.
Admired by critics and the public alike, Hockney's work was exhibited around the world and attracted record-breaking prices, cementing his place as one of the defining artists of the modern era.
Most recently, his incredibly immersive exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' was a hit across the country, proving his work still resonated with the people of today.
His work at Salts Mill has remained in exhibit for years, including his special digital drawings that he did on his iPad.
His death marks the end of a truly extraordinary career, but his influence on British culture and contemporary art will endure for years to come.
A true West Yorkshire icon that will be missed by many from across the globe. RIP David.
Georgina Pellant -
17th May 2021 
