'I believe she's probably been through hell': Nicole Contreras takes a swipe at her ex Stephen Belafonte amid his bitter divorce battle with Mel B... as she throws her support behind the former Spice Girl

By Katie Storey For Mailonline

Published: 14:49 EDT, 27 April 2017 | Updated: 15:13 EDT, 27 April 2017

Stephen Belafonte's ex Nicole Contreras has thrown her full support behind Mel B. 

The former Spice Girl, 41, is currently locked in a bitter divorce battle with estranged husband Belafonte and since announcing their split, he has found himself at the centre of a string of allegations - including claims he has been physically abusive and has links to the porn industry. 

Suggesting she is not surprised by the allegations, Nicole - who shares 12-year-old daughter Giselle with Belafonte - told TMZ: 'I have Mel's side... I believe in her.' 

'I have Mel's side': Nicole Contreras revealed she has been left 'concerned' by the former Spice Girl's bitter divorce battle with her ex Stephen Belafonte - she spoke to TMZ while out at Catch in West Hollywood on Wednesday evening

'I have Mel's side': Nicole Contreras revealed she has been left 'concerned' by the former Spice Girl's bitter divorce battle with her ex Stephen Belafonte - she spoke to TMZ while out at Catch in West Hollywood on Wednesday evening

She was quizzed over the singer's split with her former beau and Nicole told the publication: 'I believe [Mel has] probably been through hell. It's sad.'

The real estate professional admitted she has been following the furore surrounding the couple since they filed for divorce on March 20 and claimed she has been 'left concerned for her daughter' following the allegations that Belafonte has found himself subject to.

Mel had claimed in court papers that she was the victim of 'multiple physical beatings' at the hands of Stephen and that he threatened to 'destroy' her career by releasing sex tapes of her.

She had been granted a temporary restraining order against him, over claims of domestic abuse, and had alleged Belafonte was a danger to her children due to 'criminal connections' and his links to the porn industry. 

Bitter divorce battle: The former couple filed for divorce on March 20 and Mel has claimed in court papers that she was the victim of 'multiple physical beatings' at the hands of Stephen

Bitter divorce battle: The former couple filed for divorce on March 20 and Mel has claimed in court papers that she was the victim of 'multiple physical beatings' at the hands of Stephen

Having her say: The real estate professional didn't hold back when addressing Belafonte's divorce battle and took a swipe at her ex by claiming he doesn't give her any 'child support' - they share daughter Giselle, 12

Having her say: The real estate professional didn't hold back when addressing Belafonte's divorce battle and took a swipe at her ex by claiming he doesn't give her any 'child support' - they share daughter Giselle, 12

Lawyers for Belafonte have branded the allegations 'outrageous and unfounded', and 'nothing more than a smear campaign'.

However, Nicole hit back at his suggestions of a 'smear campaign' and said: 'I know him and that's b******t. I've had experience with him, I know who he is and I know what he's about... unfortunately for Mel she's spent ten years of her life with him. 

'Thankfully she got out of it.'  

She then went on to take another swipe at her ex when asked if she believes Stephen had 'asked Mel for money to fund his expenses' and remarked: 'Well considering I haven't got any child support, probably.'

Nicole had stopped to talk to reporters following her dinner at the LA eatery and hitting out at Belafonte's claims Mel has set up a 'smear campaign' against him, she remarked: 'That's b******t'
Exes: Nicole and Stephen were together for six years and welcomed their daughter together in 2004

Nicole had stopped to talk to reporters following her dinner at the LA eatery and hitting out at Belafonte's claims Mel has set up a 'smear campaign' against him, she remarked: 'That's b******t'

Messy: The singer also alleged Belafonte was a danger to her children due to 'criminal connections' and his links to the porn industry - Mel had opposed his request for unsupervised visits to see their five-year-old daughter Madison 

Messy: The singer also alleged Belafonte was a danger to her children due to 'criminal connections' and his links to the porn industry - Mel had opposed his request for unsupervised visits to see their five-year-old daughter Madison 

According to The Sun, the producer's lawyers had asked the former Spice Girl, 41, for a cash advance to fund his 'living expenses' during their messy divorce battle.

However the mother-of-three has reportedly refused his request, and instead accuses Stephen of owing her £800,000 - a claim he vehemently denies.

The claims came after reports Mel had blocked her estranged husband from accessing her £40million fortune.

A source had told The Sun: ‘This has hit Stephen hard. Mel has finally pulled the rug out from underneath him and that seems to have left him a bit lost.’ 

Granted visitation rights: It has since been confirmed Belafonte (pictured with Mel in 2009) has regained his visitation rights to five-year-old daughter Madison, but only under heavy supervision 

Granted visitation rights: It has since been confirmed Belafonte (pictured with Mel in 2009) has regained his visitation rights to five-year-old daughter Madison, but only under heavy supervision 

Belafonte, however, lost his battle to regain contact with Mel's daughter Angel, who was born three months before their wedding - but is fathered by actor Eddie Murphy

Belafonte, however, lost his battle to regain contact with Mel's daughter Angel, who was born three months before their wedding - but is fathered by actor Eddie Murphy

Nicole's comments about Belafonte come after it was revealed he has regained his visitation rights to five-year-old daughter Madison - who he shares with Mel - but will only be allowed to see her with heavy supervision. 

Appearing at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, a judge ruled that he can see his daughter, but only in the confines of a counselling center with a court monitor present. 

The judge ruled that the visits will occur twice a week for four hours, but he must attend alone.

Belafonte, however, lost his battle to regain contact with Mel's daughter Angel, who was born three months before their wedding - but is fathered by actor Eddie Murphy.

Happier times: The singer and Belafonte had married in June 2007 following a whirlwind romance that began in the February of that year 

Happier times: The singer and Belafonte had married in June 2007 following a whirlwind romance that began in the February of that year 

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