Mel B ‘will use her America’s Got Talent fee to pay off crippling debts’

Mel B will be given an opportunity to pay off staggering debts after taking a lucrative new role on America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

The former Spice Girl, 43, has reportedly being paid £1million to appear on the talent show, which is set to launch in the United States next January, by head judge Simon Cowell. 

But the sum will go towards easing crippling debts following a costly divorce from her second husband, film producer Stephen Belafonte.

Lifeline: Mel B will be given an opportunity to pay off staggering debts after taking a lucrative new role on America’s Got Talent: The Champions

A source told The Sun: ‘On paper the money is great and looks set to help Mel to cover her debt issues. But the truth is that she has many mounting debts, with the taxman looking for £200,000, and more bills due.

‘She agreed to hand a large sum to Stephen, which he is waiting on and her lawyers are needing their pay as well. 

‘The way her financial matters stand presently, she is living month to month. Things are very serious, even though she tries to put a brave face on it.’ 

Happy to help: The former Spice Girl, 43, has reportedly being paid £1million to appear on the talent show, which is set to launch in the United States next January, by head judge Simon Cowell

Happy to help: The former Spice Girl, 43, has reportedly being paid £1million to appear on the talent show, which is set to launch in the United States next January, by head judge Simon Cowell

The singer is currently on the judging panel of America’s Got Talent after joining in 2013, but according to reports, she had shared her concern of not being asked back once it ends in September, which would worsen her financial situation.

But now Mel has reportedly signed a deal to be on the one-off special show, with Simon apparently insisting to NBC bosses that she was ‘essential’.

A source told The Sun: ‘This deal could not have come at a better time. She is feeling the pinch massively and many more debts are piling up.’ 

MailOnline has contacted both Mel and Simon’s representatives for comment.

Present role:  The singer is currently on the judging panel of America¿s Got Talent after joining in 2013

Present role:  The singer is currently on the judging panel of America’s Got Talent after joining in 2013

'Essential': But she has reportedly signed a deal to be on the one-off special show, with Simon apparently insisting to NBC bosses that she was 'essential'

‘Essential’: But she has reportedly signed a deal to be on the one-off special show, with Simon apparently insisting to NBC bosses that she was ‘essential’

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Spice Girls star estimated that she’s now spent more than $1 million (£755,355) in legal fees and owes another $800,000 (£604,622) to attorneys and accountants.

Mel, who shares her daughter Madison, six, with Stephen, claim’s the drawn-out split with him has left her more than $3 million (£2,266,00 million) in the red.

It was reported that the IRS has started garnishing her America’s Got Talent salary to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes she owes.

Fears: The singer had shared her concern of not being asked back once it ends in September, which would worsen her financial situation (pictured 2017) 

Fears: The singer had shared her concern of not being asked back once it ends in September, which would worsen her financial situation (pictured 2017) 

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Mel’s America’s Got Talent pay cheques are now being garnished, meaning money to pay her bills is automatically being deducted before she receives her salary.

As a result of the extra costs of her long divorce battle and being the main breadwinner between herself and the producer, the I Want You Back singer – who has daughters Phoenix, 19, and Angel, 11, from past relationships and six-year-old Madison with Eddie – is struggling financially.

She writes: ‘I do not have the financial capabilities at this point to pay for these community property debts. I am currently a judge on the NBC television show, America’s Got Talent.

‘I am currently in contract until the end of October 2018. I do not know if I will be asked back as a Judge on America’s Got Talent or if they will renew my contract…

‘My current state of financial affairs is of utmost concern due to the fact that Stephen and I have immense tax debts and have been unable to repay those debts.’

Judging panel: Mel is currently on the judging panel of America¿s Got Talent after joining in 2013 

Judging panel: Mel is currently on the judging panel of America’s Got Talent after joining in 2013 

Meanwhile, just last week, Mel hinted that there is a light at the end of the tunnel after her divorce battle with Stephen who is raging on over his visitation rights to her daughter Angel, 11, as well as other outstanding issues. 

The former Spice Girl set pulses racing as she exhibited her peachy posterior in a skimpy pink set of intimates and leopard print Louboutins for an Instagram image captioned: ‘Free at last.’

Completing the come-hither look with a pair of towering stilettos, Mel captioned the image: ‘#freeatlast #currentmood #nostopping #dressup #forme #lovetheskinyourein.’

Divorce drama: It was recently revealed that the Spice Girls star's bitter divorce with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte has left her close to financial ruin (pictured together in 2016)

Divorce drama: It was recently revealed that the Spice Girls star’s bitter divorce with ex-husband Stephen Belafonte has left her close to financial ruin (pictured together in 2016)

Her saucy display comes after the songstress continued her bitter divorce battle with Stephen, over visitation rights for her daughter Angel.

It was recently revealed that Mel and Stephen spent four hours locked inside an LA courtroom as they were unable to come to an agreement.

Stephen, who claims Mel’s daughter by Eddie Murphy has called him dad ever since she could talk, has been trying to gain step-parent visitation with the child.

Mel who headed to court on Monday in a busty coral dress, pink reflective shades and a pair of leopard print stilettos, has vehemently opposed his efforts, refusing to let him see Angel.

Despite their marathon session on Friday, the warring couple couldn’t reach agreement on the step visitation or their other outstanding financial issues, and the hearing was postponed. 

Stress: It was recently revealed that Mel and Stephen spent four hours locked inside an LA courtroom as they were unable to come to an agreement over visitation rights for her daughter Angel (pictured together in 2016) 

Stress: It was recently revealed that Mel and Stephen spent four hours locked inside an LA courtroom as they were unable to come to an agreement over visitation rights for her daughter Angel (pictured together in 2016) 

When Mel took a cigarette break during her half day in court, DailyMail.com asked her what was happening in the closed-door proceedings, the exasperated America’s Got Talent star replied: ‘Nothing – nothing’s happening in there.’

The court then reconvened on Monday, as the estranged couple headed back to settle the outstanding issues regarding their divorce.

Stephen, who wore his trademark grey suit in court, and Mel were divorced last December after a nine-month battle in which lurid tales of kinky sex, drug and alcohol abuse and allegations of domestic violence made headlines.

Despite their divorce being final more than six months ago, trying to settle complicated issues between them over children and money has dragged on through this summer. 

'Light at the end of the tunnel': Meanwhile, just last week, Mel hinted that there is a light at the end of the tunnel after her divorce battle with Stephen

‘Light at the end of the tunnel’: Meanwhile, just last week, Mel hinted that there is a light at the end of the tunnel after her divorce battle with Stephen



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