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Cape Town - Former Spice Girl Mel B has finally opened up about why she’s going into rehab – and it seems sex and alcohol addictions have nothing to do with it.
Social media users went into a frenzy after the singer revealed she planned to check herself into rehab next month.
Mel appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and clarified the real reason was because she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Entertainment Tonight reports.
The 43-year-old told guest host Lea Michele: “I’ve been in therapy since my father got diagnosed with cancer nine years ago. My therapy changed a little bit because I was in a very intense relationship which you can all read about in my book, Brutally Honest.”
She said the book, due for release in November, will address a number of issues she’s been battling with.
“I do address a lot of issues but no, I’m not an alcoholic. No, I’m not a sex addict.
“I was with the same person [ex-husband Stephen Belafonte] for 10 years and that was quite a turmoil – very intense,” she said.
“That’s all I can say about it. I’d like to say a lot more but let’s just keep it PC.”
Mel filed for divorce from Stephan in March 2017 after 10 years of marriage, accusing him of “emotional and physical abuse”. The charges were later dropped.
The couple have shared custody of their 6-year-old daughter, Madison Brown Belafonte.
Mel is also mom to 19-year-old Phoenix with Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar, and 11-year-old Angel with actor Eddie Murphy.
In the interview she admitted that drinking had become a way for her to “ease my pain”. But she maintained she wasn’t an alcoholic.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE:
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Mel’s “best friend” told Entertainment Tonight she wasn’t an addict.
“She’s not sex-addicted at all,” Gary Madatyan said. “She’s working on herself. She is and has been seeking therapy for PTSD for four to five weeks. She’s on top of it. She sees a therapist in Los Angeles.”
Gary added that Mel is good with her children and that they’re her main priority.
“She’s a very good mother, she takes her kids to piano and gymnastics lessons and the four of them do a lot of activities together.”
Heidi Klum shared her support for Mel, telling People magazine: “I’m her friend and I have been for many years. If she needs my help I’ve always offered it to her and she can come and chat with me.
“You know, you need to have your girlfriends when you’re going through hard times. I’m here to help her with whatever she needs.”
Sources: Entertainment Tonight, PEOPLE
