PHOTOS/INTERVIEW:MELANIE BROWN AND HER CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY
As previously reported, singer Melanie and her family were featured in Hello! magazine last month. In the issue, Melanie talks about her close-knit family, which includes her daughters Phoenix Chi and Angel, and Stephen’s daughter Giselle,5. Phoenix, who will turn eleven this month, is Mel’s daughter with dancer Jimmy Gulzar; Angel, who will turn three in April, is Mel’s daughter with actor Eddie Murphy. The following are snippets from the interview:
On her parenting style:
“Before Stephen was part of our family, I was super strict, because it was just me being mum and dad all in one. Now, I think i’ve gone a little bit softer because i can.”
“We share responsibility of raising our kids. So it’s nice to be able to go, ‘oh, Stephen, you tell her about her homework today!’”
“As parents, we’re very routine-based. bedtime’s at a certain time every night. They have to tidy their rooms. That’s what i grew up with. And I think that gives them responsibility and respect for their things.”
On how much time Giselle spends with the family:
“She usually comes every weekend,which is nice because Angel shares a bedroom with her. All three girls together-it just works. i see phoenix sitting and laughing her head off at the the little conversations she hears them having, or when they start dancing and singing songs. She finds it very amusing.”
On whether or not Eddie Murphy plays a role in Angel’s life:
“No. I have full custody of Angel, and that’s about it. He doesn’t want to see her. That’s just the way it is. But Angel-she calls Stephen daddy. her sister’s her sister, not her half sister. She’s very content. She doesn’t know any different.”
On whether or not Eddie pays child support:
“All that’s legal stuff that i don’t even really care to talk about. Those are personal and legal matters. Everything is what it is. And Angel’s a very happy kid.”
Photos/Interview:Hello!magazine issue #1106/Interview Scans by Blackcelebkids.com
BCK Says: Unfortunately, Melanie did not make mention of Angel’s fascinating hairstyle.
the hair is all about PERSONALITY!…kudos to Mel B’s parenting rules etc. thats all that matters!
“No. I have full custody of Angel, and that’s about it. He doesn’t want to see her. That’s just the way it is. But Angel-she calls Stephen daddy. her sister’s her sister, not her half sister. She’s very content. She doesn’t know any different.”
Maybe now people will stop asking when Angel will meet Eddie, as if Stephen is a door-stopper or something.
IKR!!!! The child is happy without him and probably better off.
really cute kids. and i like how she answered the questions. gave some info, but didn’t put Eddie on blast. i think that’s very decent of her.
I am sorry, but I don’t agree with the hair at all. I think she is trying to make a statement to Eddie by having that baby’s hair stand up on top of her head. Eddie has no control over that. But to me, she is not making a statement but a Mockery! That’s right, I said it!!!!!
LMAO she’s trying to make a statement to Eddie by making the child’s hair stand on top of her head to show he has no control??? Lmao. That’s funny. Eddie probably wouldn’t care is she dyed Angel’s hair pink and yellow.
PlainMean, you took the words right out of my mouth. LisaLisa, Mel said he doesn’t even want to see Angel- do you really think he’s caring about what her HAIR looks like? C’mon y’all- stop with the “Mel’s doin Angel’s hair like this to get back at Eddie” nonsense, it just sounds kind of stupid… not to mention extremely petty.
My goodness, Angel is such a cutie!!! Such a beautiful little girl, she has the prettiest eyes. Great pics!
I agree with LisaLisa! MB is sending a subliminal message to Eddie. Why does Angel have to look like the outcast! That baby’s hair is a MESS and Eddie ought to kick MB’s behind for that mess!! I don’t see the others girls hair looking a mess!!
angel and her half sister phoenix are so cute. im not feeling angel hair. im mad that jada and mel b would cut they girls hair. finally they dress her like a girl. eddie murphy is a trafflin daddy. he cant even see his child.
I am curious as to what dressing like a girl entails for you?
Angel~ is a very pretty young lady, amazing eyes!!
Her eyes are amazing she is a beautiful little girl!!
Angel is adorable. Sad to think her real Dad doesnt want anything to do with her. I hope he (Eddie) knows that God dont like ugly.
I’m glad Mel did not get into the hair bit. Hair is hair is hair is hair. It’s superficial. What is most important is that the child is well cared for and able to explore and express herself as well as think outside the box. These skills support 21st century learning. I think the same of other children such as Willow Smith and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. These kids won’t follow trends. They’ll set them! Mark my words.
That Angel Iris is too darn cute. I love her features, if not the hair. Oh well,it is just hair AND its not my kid-lol.
Like Leo in the above post stated, to all the doomsayers, Angel has a dad, it is Spice’s new husband-get over the Eddie connection, I am sure this family has to the extent that they can.
I’m not feeling the hair either, but who cares!! The family is very beautiful and I like how Mel answered the questions. If it is true about Eddie then its real sad. I hate it when men make babies and then don’t want to be in their lives. They need to realize that they are hurting the child and not the mother. Sad it it’s true.
Wonderful family! Its good that Angel has Stephen in her life to be her father since her sperm donor wants nothing to do with her. Her and her sister are beautiful little girls. I’m not exactly feeling the hairstyle though…
her youngest daughter Angel is beautiful but i think she would look even cuter if she didnt have her hair like that.
Cute girl but not feeling the hair at all! SMH@Eddie!
If Melanie thinks that the hair style is so cute, why didn’t she cut her own hair in that style? I, for the life of me, don’t understand why she wants that style on that cut little gir.
They are a gorgeous family. I do not approve of the hair but I guess all that matters is Angel is healthy and happy.
Why did she do that to that baby’s head?!?!? Yeah it’s good that she appears to be healthy and cared for, but I think this was more about Melanie’s decision than Angel’s; for crying out loud she’s only a toddler!!! I understand Willow’s decision to cut her hair as she is old enough to understand and formulate an opinion. I think Angel’s hairstyle is a product of her momma’s need to get attention…SMH.
Awww Angel is too adorable!!! But the MoHaWk NOOOO!!
Mel B seems like such a wonderful mother. She’s appears to be very classy. It’s wonderful that Stephen loves that baby whether she is his biological or not. He’s daddy to Miss Angel. Everyone looks happy. Very good story, BCK.
What I dont’ get is why Mel B gave Angel Eddie’s last name…. I mean he has never seen her, doesn’t want to see her and has made it abundantly clear that he WILL NOT be in Angel’s life, so why give him that respect of naming her with his last name if he’s not going to be there? You can still get child support without having the child have the same last name as the father.
I think it makes it more confusing, Angel will wonder why her last name is Murphy instead of Belafonte or even Brown.
I think because they had the paternity test and he is the father. So the parents of the child, since he did not marry her would be Brown-Murphy. As her older daughter’s name is probably written the same way. They are both the legal parents of the child though not in marriage.
AngeL is soo beauTifuL! head fuLL of hair or NOT. maybe it suits her personaLity. im sure meL wouLdnt have done this for no reaSon ppL! As for Eddie…he wiLL get what he deserves in the end! smh..
I have lost an incredible amount of respect for Eddie over these past few years. But, he will get his in the end.
Well since it takes two to tango and he couldn’t make the baby on his own; Will she get hers too?
What do you mean? She takes care of her daughter,Eddie does not.Hence them saying he will get his.
I mean that she and he were both involved in the act of making the baby. She chose to give birth when she knew that he did not want a child with her. So she takes physical care of the child and he bears the financial responsibility. Both of them were negligent, so there’s enough guilt for both to share. He’s involved in the life of his other children that are not of his marriage.
No matter what Eddie feels about Mel. Shame on hi, He has four daughters what does he tell them if they were in this situation. AND NOW I KNOW WHY IT WAS SO EASY FOR NICOLE MURPHY TO GIVE UP THE MONEY AND LIFESTYLE TO LEAVE EDDIE.
What money and lifestyle did Nicole give up? If Melanie got that huge chunk for Angel, I can’t even begin to imagine what his ex-wife with the children received. I can’t see what she has given up except, unfortunately, her marriage. From pictures, we see that he loves their children. It’s just strange to me since he includes his children that he had prior to his marriage; this little girl is left out. There’s something that’s not getting in the news. Why is it only this child? Sounds fishy to me, since everybody keeps blaming him for not being in her life.
She gave up a 30 thousand square foot home and the life of living with Eddie Murphy and more. Not so much the money. My point was Eddie must really be an [curse word] for Nicole Murphy to leave him. I mean he is Eddie Murphy. But nicole said he was a fuddy duddy, Nicole said he was in love with the idea of being a Father, but not an active Father. Now don’t blame me, Nicole Murphy said this. Which makes it easier for me to see how he could deny this child Angel. And like I said even if Mel B lied to him and said she was on the pill and got prego on purpose he should still be in Angels life. Even if the rumors are true that she told Eddie he would have to buy her a million dollar house, and all the other rumors about what went wrong between Eddie and Mel B. He can’t understand why he will not see his beautiful child. He is not hurting Mel B. she has moved on with her way husband.
With those children she could have kept the house if she wanted it. If she doesn’t have it I’m certain it’s because she didn’t want it. He may have been exactly what she said, I don’t know and I really don’t care. However, the statements made by the woman he lived with and later married after all those years is, I’m sure, valid. Given that we do not know the particulars of their agreement regarding this child, we don’t really know nor can we demand, regardless of our outlook, that he be a part of this child’s life. The child seems quite happy and you can’t miss what you’ve never had. It’s not like he was a part of her life and then walked away as many a father has.
I guess u don’t know people who never knew there their Father, Or found out who their Dad was and he did not want to have anything to do with them. One day Mel B will tell Angel who her real father is, Or the media or someone at school, And she will have questions and they most likely will be I wonder what it would have been like to know my real Dad. Why he rejected me. My cousin lost her mother when she was 2 years old. Now she is 18 and has so many questions, what was her Mother like, did she love me, how did she dress me. There is a void. Can’t say this will happen to Angel. But if I were a betting person I would bet yes! look like u said we really don’t know and really don’t care, we are just making comments on the situation. You can’t miss what u never had. Well we don’t know yet. We have to wait and see. Right now she knows nothing but the love she is getting now from Mel and her Stephan, I wish her well.
Angel is cute, but I think the haircut is too severe for her tender age. Sure it’s JUST hair, but it could have JUST grown naturally and JUST be braided or otherwise styled.
And just as a previous writer noted at a previous blog, it just makes her resemble Woody Woodpecker.
I agree Pisces! It is just hair, but I’m sure that little girl didn’t just wake up and say “mommy, I want a mohawk.” So I seriously doubt that this is a form of this young child’s expression. Mel B has issues to want her little girl to look like this. Her youngest daughter’s hair looks nice and so does Mel B’s, but she has made this beautiful baby look like a monster! Selfish!
MissStep, I agree with you whole heartedly and I too believe Mel B. is somehow using the child to express her subconcious rage. She’s ferocious and expressing this through making the innocent child appear animalistic.
Also, in addition to the obvious neglect of Angel’s hair ( people do get roots touched up), Mel may want to check what she’s feeding her child (look at that cereal) because those wrinkles around her tiny neck could be signs of an imbalanced and improper diet or some glandular disorder
Pisces, most toddlers necks are like this. They get the rolls there from being tucked in the womb for 10 freakin’ months just takes a few year to air out-the question is what is Kimora’s excuse. Sorry for that one. That’s my girl. or rather that’s the mother of my girls and one especially cute boy-just sayin’
@GTSA…Oh. Thank you!
Oh!! the ignorance!! You go from her roots to malnourished? Look these blogs are not meant for the negative crap!! If my daughter(3) asked me to cut her hair like that I WOULD!! It’s her hair not mine! Dye is something else but her hair is clearly natural and not chemically treated (hence the roots) Ever hear of a blowout, hot comb!! Duh!! SMH!!!!
JoJo, you obviously have a hair up your butt for no apparent reason today. Who cares about you or your child? I for one don’t. It’s a celebrity blog. Go to a professional for your issues.
Wow! What an adorable family. Angel is so precious and the older daughter looks cute too.
This is a beautiful family. Why doesn’t everyone have a mohawk/punk look, especially her sister? That way the entire family can compliment each other. I don’t think this hair style was her choice.
When she grows older/teenager, she probably won’t be too happy about these photos. God bless them.
p.s. Stephen is her father and Phoenix is her sister (not half sister)
When Angel gets old enough to read, she will find out who Eddie Murphy really is. What will happen when she is in daycare or preschool and watching Daddy Daycare or Shrek and the teacher says, “That is your father!”
Mel has lovely kids. But like a lot of others, I do wonder why she made the decision to get Angel’s hair cut like that. It makes her look like a boy.
Why doesn’t Mel chop up hers and the daughter’s hair exactly like Angel’s hair? If Angel was older and had a say in how she wants to wear her hair, the haircut would be fine. Everyone is correct when they say it’s only hair, I’m just wondering why Mel and her daughter are not chopping up their long, beautiful locks…make it a fun family affair.
You asked a question, then answered it all in one sentence. Mel B and older daughter are old enough to make a decision in regards to their hair. Anngel not. Let’s jut hope Eddie comes around and be a part of the child’s life, Until then thumbs up t Mel’s husband.
10 years from now Angel will not remember or care about the messed up hair cut her Mother gave her. She will always have a void and wonder how Eddie her real Dad wanted nothing to do with her. And he can’t blame Mel B trapped me. WHAT DID HE THINK WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX. After what 6, 7 8 whatever the number of kids he should have known the answer.
And after having a child herself, what did she think would happen having unprotected sex? They both are at fault. I think she thought she was going to become Mrs. Eddie Murphy…..That’s what I Think! And it didn’t work out like she thought it would. Just like Babyface’s wife thought she was going to become Mrs. Eddie Murphy. I’ll be surprised if any other woman becomes Mrs. Eddie Murphy.
From my understanding, Mel B has come out publicly and said that she and Eddie PLANNED to have this child, which I totally believe as Mel has wanted another child for sometime. So, it isn’t a case of she got knocked up for being irresponsible and not using protection. She was in an monagamous relationship with someone she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with. Of course, I’m not Mel and only her and Eddie know what REALLY went down at the end of the day.
Here’s the thing, Eddie has made it clear as to what kind of man (or not he is) between not claiming his daughter, all the rumors about him and Johnny Gill, and that whole Tracy Edmonds fiasco, I think that says pretty much who he is. The content of his character is very much questionable and I think he’s a sucky individual. My two cents.
CaramelKiss-you ain’t minced no words ;-). I remember shaking my head when I heard him reply to the press, “I don’t know whose child that is until we get a DNA on it” or something along those lines.
I do see that Angel does have a father at least in Mel B’s husband. Maybe Eddie will have a change of heart down the line and its just taking a little time. He probably felt like Mel B was trying to trap him, but that is still not a good excuse and unless she poked holes in the condom or highjacked his sperm in some sort of covert operation he really needs to grow up and own up.
Let’s not forget the good citizen he was, when he gave a stranger a ride home, but wont see his own child.
Mel B can be the worst person on earth. Eddie made a baby with her and he should be a part of that childs life. It’s on him not us. Thank GOD. cause he will be the judge of Mr. Murphy in the end.
It is not my intent to be the defense for Mr. Murphy; but Mel B. can lie just like Eddie. I find it difficult to believe that they planned to make a baby and then once she is pregnant he denies the baby until given a paternity test. That just sounds stupid. He was already engaged to Babyface’s ex when she announced that she was pregnant. Besides, a man can tell me all he wants that he wants a baby with me…until he marries me….NO BABY! But that’s just my way. From reports, the fiancee did not want to sign a pre-nup and media reported years ago about Eddie Murphy and his demand for pre-nups. That’s half the reason for his break up with Robin Givens. IMO, both women were delusional to get deeply involved with him so soon after his divorce.Both he an Mel were adults and they should have acted like responsible adults instead of star struck teenagers. She holds just as much blame as he. So I feel that if there is dealing to be done, both will be dealth with. The baby is beautiful and seems to be doing fine without Eddie so why do we keep railing about what he SHOULD be doing for the baby.
*sigh* I’m over the whole hair issue. This child isn’t going to even remember this and I doubt there will be irreparable harm. So IT IS WHAT IT IS.
The only reason it’s in issue for me is that it limits her options on syling. She has to look like that every darned day until that cockatoo mess grows out. She could have easily given her a faux-hawk which would have been just as cute and she would still have hair. But, whatevs…I guess at the end of the day, as long as she’s a good parent, who cares about something soooo temporary?
CaramelKiss…you’re right…it looks just like a cockatoo. And the roots of the perm growing out makes it even more of a nappy mess.
Love your name.
Not just a nappy mess but a nappy “nest” as well. Thank God she has a beautiful little face.
Please don’t tell me she had a perm in that baby’s hair. That child is too young for such mess.
I am sure Mel B knew what she was doing. THE ROAD GOES BOTH WAYS. MEL IS DOING HER PART. I AM TALKING ABOUT EDDIE.
Having all of these photos taken of her for posterity as a reminder of her hair being cut like this, as well as having an older sisters to tease her all of your life and pull out these pictures forever to remind her of “back in the day” or other nostalgic sister reasons…I think Angel will never forget or live down this haircut!
I dont think that it is fair or right that HE (Eddie) ignore his own damn child. That is outrageous. Happy for MelB that her husband plays his role as husband and father…more men should take note.
Well, Eddie’s career is basically over! All of his movies have failed. Eddie must not have realized that women are his key audience and their kids. Women do not like men that treat children that way. So, his movies have failed these last 3 years. He will never and I mean never get anymore of my money, until he take responsibility for his daughter. You do not treat God’s children in this way. I’m glad Mel got a stand up guy!
As for little Angel’s hair, she could have made a better choice. I put my daughter hair in a mohawk these last two days. One style was with braids and the hair out and the other with ponytails in the middle. They both were really cute and suitable for a child. But, she is hair mother. So, if she loves it, I like it. lol
Eddie has lost a lot of his fan base, but I choose to remember the Eddie from 48 hrs, SNL and his earlier career in general. The guy use to be funny and hip. What happened? The best he’s got going is the Shrek franchise these days.
Well, I don’t watch his movies anymore because he has been doing the things that appeal to children. I think that’s why he has lost his fan base with many of my friends. It had nothing to do with his personal life. I mean there are men out there, like Clint Eastwood who have been making babies and moving on for years and it hasn’t seemed to harmed his fan base. But since Shrek, Eddie seemed to have gotten into film that his children could enjoy. I’m on edge waiting for the BEVERLY HILLS COP that he’s due to make.
It would be nice if he could make a comeback in a real way. Yes, he has been appealing more to the Jr. set of late.
I still don’t like what happened between him and Mel B. It just tainted my view of the man.
He does at least appear to be involved in his other children’s lives.
And see, that’s the question I have. He’s involved, or at least, he brings the other children he has outside of him marriage around and seems to have a part in their lives; so what it is about the relationship that makes him not want to be a part of this little girl’s life. There’s more to this story that’s not being told. It seem out of character with his other children.
Angel is a beautiful little baby, and I’m glad that Mel B and her girls are happy!!!
is that a boy or girl…
Angel’s adroable. Cute family
From personal experience, Mel B is a wonderful person and mother. Her and her family are good people and I always knew that Eddie was lying during that whole “the baby isnt mine” nonsense. I wish this family the best. When Angel grows up to be a well-rounded and respectful human being, Eddie will realize he missed out on the opportunity to be Daddy to that precious little girl. More power to Mel on picking up the pieces and building a wonderful life for her and her girls. And hats off to her husband for being a real man and father to all his girls.
Or maybe he won’t. We don’t know what is behind all of this and yet we continue to make Eddie the culprit. He’s taking care of the child, it is not demanded that he be in her life. We have not heard one word from Eddie about this situation. Men don’t always feel like women about their children.
Angel is beautiful, I think her hair is cute(I have a mohawk too :)) I think alot of people are socially conditioned when it comes to hair . Some people feel it just isnt right for a little girls hair to be like that. They feel as if braids and ponytails is what is needed for a little girl to be a little girl, so not true in my opinion… ..shrug…shes so cute
Eddie doesn’t give a damn about this child’s hair, you guys do. lol
@ BCK…Ha! That’s true but someone has to care. Remember…it takes a village.
When I see this family, I say to myself that they are beautiful. That is until I focus on Angel. She is a beautiful little girl, but if it wasn’t for us already knowing she was a little girl, you would think she was a boy. Mel, her husband and her oldest daughter look like they are ready to be cover models or something. But Angel looks out of place because of the way her head looks. I don’t care how the situation with her and Eddie evolved then dissolved, it doesn’t make sense for that baby head to look like that. If she did that to her baby out of some get back at Eddie, she has failed because he hasn’t showed any sign of caring. And like it KHRISH we really don’t and probably won’t know the whole story behind these two and I really don’t care about him or her, but I do care about her making a mockery of that baby’s head. I was told when I was younger that a woman’s hair is her glory and shouldn’t be whacking it off especially at an early age. Mel has disgraced herself in my eyes for what she has done to this baby’s head. I don’t care if does grow back, the way society is today, little girls need the opportunity to be little girls and look like little girls without standing out as though they are making a statement for their parents own issues.
tmaria..I TOTALLY agree with you! A Black woman’s hair is very important to each and every one of us no matter what the texture. It would be different if this were really a “Mohawk” style…maybe it started out as such but now the baby’s head is just an unkempt wreck!
You both sound superficial and lame!! Hair is just hair and teaching a child at that age that HAIR is IMPORTANT is ludacris!!!!
This little girl is gorgeous. She seems like the spunky type.
All this over hair. Comments like is that a boy or a girl & she looks like a woodpecker. You guys are talking about a little girl. My goodness…she’s not your daughter, leave the baby alone. Like every hairstyle your mom put on you, you liked. Get over it black people, hair does not define the child.
I do not care if Mel drugged Eddie, ripped his sperm out of him, froze them & implanted herself with them years later, Angel is here, nothing is her fault & she should not be punished because Eddie has an issue with her mom. No matter what Mel may or may not have done to becoem pregnant with Angel, she is now taking care of HERS. Eddie should be doing the same.
Thank God for blessing Angel with a father figure who truly cares about her. His cup will overflow with blessings from the Lord above. Let’s pray when Eddie does come to his senses, Angel will find it in her heart to acknowledge him.
Dear Sherley, I am really sorry if I upset your sensibilities. I like you from your writings at BCK. I wasn’t the first person that has made the woodpecker remark, though.
I love what you said about Eddie Murphy in your comment. I appreciate you being my conscience here. We all need gentle reminders at times and thank you for not attacking me personally when addressing your concerns.
I’m not convinced that she(Mel B)is really happy.looking at the pictures seeing fake smiles.In the family picture Angle look to me to be the happiest.Angle is dressed in the cutest pink outfit.While,everyone else is looking fake.Angle hair looks cute on her.Not alot of kids can pull that hair style off.Hair is hair.Who are we to judge.As far as Eddie goes, he will not be the first or the last Man to walk away from a child.Sometime we need to see the blessing in walking away.Yes,it hurts to know that two people have made a wonderful child that God has given them.But, I rather raise my child alone,than to have a person around to mistreat that child mentally.Angle is an Angle and she is happy.All Mel be need to do now is get her ears pierces and let her rock some 3 carat solitaire diamond earrings.:-)
Lol all of the concern over Angel’s hairstyle is hilarious. Mel B and Angelina Jolie better hope they never come in contact with any BCK followers. “Why you do that child’s hair like that?” “Do you comb it?” “That’s not a style!” LMAO!!!
And don’t forget Thunderdome (Tina Turner in that movie)and Mr. T. And tons of boy punk rockers.
To quote Wanda Sykes “take them to a Black beauty parlor or just ride through the hood and hang their heads out the window”. LOL
NICE PICS ANGEL SO CUTE I WISH SHE HAD HER HAIR FULLY DONE MAYBE IN THE FUTURE SHE WILL.
Eddie Murphy is a fool. I will not support him any more. All these dead beats.
Angel is adorable. I know the child is young but her hair looks like it was damaged and it was cut and shaved to salvage and grow new hair. Instead of completely balding her she gave her what she thought was a trendy doo. I am just guessing. She is still a cutie though.
krish, i suppose men don’t always feel the same as women about their children because they did not carry them for nine months. they also did not have to go thru the emotional situation as a woman either. i agree with u, there is more to this story than we are hearing and it will come out soon as soon as big e opens his mouth about it.
I agree. He is hurting the child in the long run, not Mel.