Stephen Belafonte | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Mel B has permanently removed a tattoo from her body, which had the name of her ex-husband Stephen Belfonte.

The 42-year-old America’s Got Talent judge and Spice Girls singer used to have the words, “Stephen, till death do us part you own my heart” written down the side of her body.

While some people will cover up tattoos or use laser removal, Mel decided to literally cut the skin off her body and needed 13 stitches to heal the wound.

“I wanted the tattoo removed to help close the final chapter on a toxic relationship,” Mel told People in a statement. “Even though I’ve taken the steps to remove Stephen’s name from my body, the domestic abuse will forever remain with me.”

To see the graphic image of the removed skin, visit TMZ.com.

Mel B and Stephen Belafonte‘s divorce has been finalized, nine months after they split.

The former couple will share custody of their six-year-old daughter Madison and they will split the profits from the sale of their home in Los Angeles.

Mel will be paying Stephen $15,000 a month for the next three years, which amounts to $540,000 in spousal support.

After filing for divorce in March, Mel was granted a restraining order against Stephen, who she alleged abused her throughout their marriage. Their split has been very public and in the headlines throughout the past year.

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Mel B appeared to be in a serious mood while making her way out of her lawyer’s office.

The 41-year-old entertainer and former Scary Spice rocked a trendy ensemble as she headed to her car on Monday (April 10) in West Hollywood, Calif.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Mel B

That same day, it was revealed that Mel‘s fellow X Factor and America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell reportedly played a role in helping Mel gain the courage to divorce Stephen Belafonte. (via TMZ)

Simon reportedly told Mel that Stephen was “a bad guy” and “bad news.”

It was also recently reported that Mel‘s request to recover private footage from Stephen was denied.

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Stephen Belafonte has filed his response to his estranged wife, Mel B‘s, divorce petition.

The 41-year-old film producer wants the former Spice Girls singer and current America’s Got Talent judge, also 41, to pay spousal support and his lawyers’ fees, according to documents obtained by People.

Mel has previously requested to terminate the court’s power to grant spousal support.

Stephen is also seeking joint physical and legal custody of their five-year-old daughter Madison.

When she filed for divorce last month, Mel listed their date of separation as December 28, but Stephen said the date was March 1 in his response.

Earlier this week, Mel was granted a restraining order against Stephen, alleging horrific abuse.

Mel B was granted a restraining order against estranged husband Stephen Belafonte, and in her declaration papers, described some horrifying alleged abuse from her estranged partner.

The 41-year-old entertainer said her estranged husband would often force her to engage in sexual activities with a third partner, and he would often record the encounters. Stephen then allegedly would threaten to release the tapes if she refused to take part in the three-way sex.

She also described many incidents of alleged physical abuse, including the day before performing at the closing ceremonies of the London Olympics in 2012, where he punched her and pushed her on the carpet, where her injuries “actually scabbed over the rug burns.”

Mel B also claimed Stephen got their nanny pregnant and wanted them to all live together as a family. Eventually, Stephen forced the nanny to get an abortion. She also added in her filing, he “threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life in every possible way … destroy my career and take my kids from me,” via TMZ.

Mel B filed for divorce last month.