Leeds Beckett University to Award Spice Girls’ Mel B with Honorary Doctorate for Advocacy Work with Domestic Abuse Survivors
In acknowledgment of her advocacy for domestic abuse survivors, Leeds Beckett University is set to confer an honorary doctorate upon Spice Girls’ Mel B later in the month. Reports from The U.S. Sun indicate that Mel, aged 49 and the patron of the charity Women’s Aid, is looking forward to attending the ceremony dressed in a graduation gown donning her iconic leopard print.
Aside from the honorary degree, Mel, who escaped her abusive marriage to American producer Stephen Belafonte in 2016, has been pursuing a qualification in trauma care at the same institution. She mentioned, “I completed a couple in Trauma Informed Care at Leeds Beckett earlier this year. When I was told I was being given the doctorate, it was an incredible honor,” as reported by the publication.
Mel B to be awarded an honorary doctorate for working with survivors of domestic abuse
In her interview with the mentioned publication, Mel B shared that she had a personal understanding of abuse on an emotional level, which was further deepened during her marriage with Belafonte. This has fueled her desire to contribute more in this area.
The singer was married to Belafonte from 2007 to 2017 and has accused him of physical, emotional, and financial abuse throughout their marriage. They have a daughter, Madison, aged 12, together.
During her appearance on Loose Women as part of their Facing It Together campaign, Mel B opened up about her struggles with panic attacks and PTSD due to her past experiences. She disclosed that she tried to end her marriage several times but stayed out of fear of blackmail.
After finally breaking free from her husband, Mel B relocated to Leeds with her children and reconnected with her mother after years of estrangement.
Looking towards the future, the singer hopes that some of her bandmates will be present at the ceremony to support her as she is rightfully bestowed the title of a doctor. She mentioned that her Spice Girls friends were unaware of her academic pursuits and were surprised by the news.
ALSO READ: Mel B Opens Up About Walking Out Of Abusive Marriage With Stephen Belafonte; Says She Had To ‘Start From Scratch’
Attending college was a daunting task for the superstar
According to reports, Mel B attended lectures at the university for three months without many students realizing her status as a pop star. She shared that she enjoyed the camaraderie in her class and her celebrity status never became a topic of discussion with her classmates.
However, towards the end of her time at the university, a fellow student approached her, expressing disbelief that she was the famous icon, mistaking her for a lookalike.
Mel B admitted that walking into the classroom on her first day at the university was more nerve-wracking for her than performing at Wembley with her band.
Leeds Beckett Vice-Chancellor Prof. Peter Slee, as mentioned in the entertainment publication, praised Mel B for her accomplishments, stating, “As a child of this city who reached the top of her industry, then used her platform to advocate for those who shared her hardships, Melanie is exactly the type of citizen we are here to champion.”