Mel B shares rare snap with all three of her children as she celebrates being awarded an honorary doctorate for her work with domestic abuse victims
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Mel B has shared a rare snap with all three of her children as she celebrated being awarded an honorary doctorate for her work with domestic abuse victims.
The Spice Girl, 49, sported a custom-made leopard print graduation gown on Monday as she picked up an honorary doctorate at Leeds Beckett University.
But following the ceremony, Scary Spice took to Instagram on Wednesday to share family snaps of 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 children against a sparkly backdrop as all four sported cheesy grins.
While in another snaps posted by Mel herself, the four were joined by the singer's boyfriend Rory McPhee.
Mel B shared a rare snap with all three of her children Phoenix (right), Angel (centre-right) and Madison (centre-left) on Wednesday as she celebrated being awarded an honorary doctorate for her work with domestic abuse victims
In an adorable family photo shared by Phoenix, Mel posed with her children against a sparkly backdrop as all four sported cheesy grins
Mel welcomed Phoenix with dancer Jimmy Gulzar, while she shares middle child Angel with actor Eddie Murphy - who only acknowledged he was the father after a paternity test.
Finally, Mel shares her youngest child Madison with her abusive ex husband Stephen Belafonte.
Sharing the family photos on social media, Mel wrote: 'WOWWWWW I have no words … 48 hours on I still feel so emotional …this day has been so special to me.'
She added: 'My family thank you for all being here for this moment too you are so special and I'm soo honoured and happy to have you all with me in this moment.
'I'm gonna be thinking about this day A LOT and have a cry about this day, so many emotions. Thanks everyone for their support. This is my mission, this is all about one thing being a survivor - helping survivors, breaking the silence and using my voice to help others.'
Mel said being awarded an honorary doctorate is 'as massive an achievement as performing at Wembley Stadium with the Spice Girls'.
During a ceremony at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the hitmaker accepted the award recognising her campaigning efforts for domestic abuse victims.
Mel looked incredible in a green dazzling dress at the event which she wore under a red, blue and yellow robe that she gave a nod to her signature look by adding a leopard print lining.
Mel welcomed Phoenix with dancer Jimmy Gulzar, while she shares middle child Angel with actor Eddie Murphy - who only acknowledged he was the father after a paternity test
Mel B looked sensational in a custom-made leopard print graduation gown on Monday as she picked up an honorary doctorate at Leeds Beckett University
Scary Spice said being awarded an honorary doctorate is 'as massive an achievement as performing at Wembley Stadium with the Spice Girls'
She said: 'Being awarded this honorary degree from Leeds Beckett University has been life-changing.
'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 was also accepted as a student on the Trauma Informed Care course which has been a huge step for me in so many ways.
'I am proud to feel part of this university in my home town, proud to have come here as Melanie Brown, proud to have worked alongside other students and received excellent guidance from the teaching staff.'
Mel said that becoming a student was 'terrifying' but added that it had 'changed' her life.
She explained: 'In my life I have been to many, many places and done many extraordinary things, but being here today as a graduate of Leeds Beckett University is honestly as massive 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 need 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 most terrifying things I've ever done but it's changed my life. And, just so you know, I passed my exams.
'I want to thank everyone here. I stand in front of you as Melanie Brown, daughter of an immigrant, who has learned to value British education in exactly the same way as her father. My degree certificate is going straight in a frame on my wall alongside my student pass.'
The university's vice chancellor, Peter Slee, said Mel was 'exactly the type of citizen we are here to champion'.
During a ceremony at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the hitmaker accepted the award recognising her campaigning efforts for domestic abuse victims
Mel looked incredible at the event wearing a red, blue and yellow robe and gave a nod to her signature look 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 most terrifying things I've ever done but it's changed my life'
He 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 child of this city who reached the top of her industry and then used her platform to advocate for those who shared her hardships, Melanie is exactly the type of citizen we are here to champion.
'This year, she joins over 2,300 graduates from the School of Health, equipping a generation of professionals to meet the healthcare challenges of the nation both now and into the future.'
The university later took to Instagram to share a gallery of pictures of Mel during the special day.
They wrote: 'A moment for the gown. A huge congratulations to Spice Girl and anti-domestic abuse campaigner who was awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University today.
'The award recognises her role as a campaigner and advocate for domestic abuse victims, as well as her reputation as a globally recognised music icon.'
Mel was made a patron of Women's Aid in 2018 and has been invited to speak in Parliament about domestic abuse.
In 2022 she was made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her service to survivors and this year she added a further three chapters to her memoir, Brutally Honest, focusing on overcoming the trauma of abuse.
The Spice Girl has opened up in recent years about the 'abuse' she suffered while married to her 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 her marriage six or seven times
The Spice Girl made claims in her book that she had suffered abuse from 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 her marriage six or seven times.
Speaking on Loose Women, Mel made an appearance on the show during their 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 daughter Madison, 12, together.
Over the years, Mel B has accused him of physical, emotional, and financial abuse, claims he denies.
Mel told the panel that she was reluctant to leave Stephen as she had completely ostracised herself from her family.
