Mel B shared a rare snap with her three children as she celebrated receiving an honorary doctorate for her work with victims of domestic abuse.
The Spice Girl, 49, wore a custom-made leopard-print prom dress on Monday as she collected an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.
But after the ceremony, Scary Spice took to Instagram on Wednesday to share family photos from her big day, including her three children, Phoenix, 25, Angel, 17, and Madison, 12.
In an adorable family photo shared by Phoenix, Mel posed with her kids in front of a glittery backdrop as all four of them sported cutesy smiles.
While in another snapshot posted by Mel herself, the four were accompanied by the singer’s boyfriend, Rory McPhee.
Mel B shared a rare snap with her three children Phoenix (right), Angel (center-right) and Madison (center-left) on Wednesday as she celebrated receiving an honorary doctorate for her work with victims of domestic abuse.
In an adorable family photo shared by Phoenix, Mel posed with her kids in front of a glittery backdrop as all four of them sported cutesy smiles.
Mel welcomed Phoenix with dancer Jimmy Gulzar, while she shares middle son Angel with actor Eddie Murphy, who only acknowledged being the father after a paternity test.
Finally, Mel shares her youngest daughter, Madison, with her abusive ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
Sharing the family photos on social media, Mel wrote: ‘WOWWWWW I’m at a loss for words… 48 hours later I still feel so emotional… this day has been so special for me.’
She added: ‘My family thanks you all for being here at this time too, you are all so special and I feel so honoured and happy to have you all with me at this time.
“I will think about this day A LOT and cry about it. There are so many emotions. Thank you all for your support. This is my mission, it’s about one thing: being a survivor – helping survivors, breaking the silence, and using my voice to help others.”
Mel said receiving an honorary doctorate was “as big an achievement as performing at Wembley Stadium with the Spice Girls”.
During a ceremony at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the singer accepted the award which recognises her campaigning efforts on behalf of victims of domestic abuse.
Mel looked incredible in a dazzling green dress at the event, which she wore underneath a red, blue and yellow tunic that gave a nod to her signature style by adding a leopard-print lining.
Mel welcomed Phoenix with dancer Jimmy Gulzar, while she shares middle son Angel with actor Eddie Murphy, who only acknowledged being the father after a paternity test.
Mel B looked sensational in a custom-made leopard-print prom dress on Monday as she received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.
Scary Spice said receiving an honorary doctorate is “as big an achievement as performing at Wembley Stadium with the Spice Girls”
She said: ‘Receiving this honorary degree from Leeds Beckett University has changed my life.
‘I didn’t just want to accept an award. I wanted to be accepted as a student at Leeds Beckett. Not only have I been awarded this degree, but I have also been accepted as a student on the Trauma-Informed Care course, which has been a huge step for me in many ways.
‘I am proud to feel part of this university in my hometown, proud to have arrived here as Melanie Brown, proud to have worked alongside other students and to have received excellent guidance from the teaching staff.’
Mel said becoming a student was “scary” but added that it had “changed” her life.
She explained: ‘In my life I’ve been to many, many places and done many extraordinary things, but to be here today as a graduate of Leeds Beckett University is honestly as big an achievement as performing at Wembley Stadium with the Spice Girls.
‘To understand yourself you have to understand the world around you. To understand what has happened to you, you have to understand the impact it has had. I wanted to understand. I wanted to learn. Leeds Beckett gave me that opportunity, that gift.
‘Walking through those doors as a student was probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever done in my life, but it changed my life. And, just so you know, I passed my exams.
“I want to thank everyone here. I stand before you as Melanie Brown, the daughter of an immigrant who has learned to value British education in exactly the same way as her father. My university degree will go straight into a frame on my wall along with my student ID.”
University vice-chancellor Peter Slee said Mel was “exactly the kind of citizen we are here to champion”.
During a ceremony at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the singer accepted the award which recognises her campaigning efforts on behalf of victims of domestic abuse.
Mel looked incredible at the event in a red, blue and yellow gown and gave a nod to her signature style by adding a leopard print lining.
Mel B pictured in her iconic Scary Spice leopard print outfit while performing in 1997
Mel said: “Walking through those doors as a student was probably one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but it changed my life.”
She said: ‘On behalf of all our students, colleagues and governors here at Leeds Beckett University, I would like to congratulate Melanie Brown MBE on this honorary degree.
‘As a daughter of this city who rose to the top of her industry and then used her platform to stand up for those who shared her struggles, Melanie is exactly the kind of citizen we are here to champion.
‘This year, he joins more than 2,300 School of Health graduates, preparing a generation of professionals to meet the nation’s health care challenges both now and in the future.’
The university later took to Instagram to share a gallery of photos of Mel during the special day.
They wrote: ‘A moment for the dress. A huge congratulations to the Spice Girl and domestic abuse campaigner who was awarded an honorary doctorate by Leeds Beckett University today.
‘The award recognises her role as an activist and advocate for victims of domestic abuse, as well as her reputation as a world-renowned musical icon.’
Mel was appointed Patron of Women’s Aid in 2018 and has been invited to speak in Parliament about domestic abuse.
In 2022 she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to survivors and this year she added three more chapters to her memoir, Brutally Honest, focusing on overcoming the trauma of abuse.
The Spice Girl has spoken out in recent years about the ‘abuse’ she suffered while married to ex-husband Stephen Belafonte
Mel revealed that five years after leaving Stephen, she still suffers from panic attacks and PTSD, and had previously tried to end their marriage six or seven times.
The Spice Girl claimed in her book that she had been abused by her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
The Spice Girl has revealed that five years after leaving Stephen, she still suffers from panic attacks and PTSD, and had previously tried to end their marriage six or seven times.
Speaking on Loose Women, Mel made an appearance on the show during its Facing It Together campaign, which aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
Mel B and American Stephen were married from 2007 to 2017 and share a daughter, Madison, 12.
Over the years, Mel B has accused him of physical, emotional and financial abuse, allegations he denies.
Mel told the panel she felt reluctant to leave Stephen because he had completely isolated himself from his family.
