Mel B cleared up negative assumptions about her recent decision to check herself into a rehab facility.
“No, I’m not an alcoholic. No, I’m not a sex addict,” she said during her appearance on Wednesday’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show where she spoke with guest host Lea Michele.
The Spice Girls singer added that what actually prompted her decision to seek intensive treatment was post-traumatic stress disorder.
Working on her upcoming book Brutally Honest forced her to revisit what she referred to as her “emotionally abusive” relationship with her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, triggering extensive emotional distress.
“You know, I was with the same person for 10 years and it was quite a turmoil, very intense,” she told the Glee star. “That’s all I can say about it. I’d like to say a lot more, but let’s keep it PC. But yeah, I address a lot of those issues and I did kind of have to ease my pain.”
Mel B, whose birth name is Melanie Brown, divorced Belafonte last December after 10 years of marriage. The two wed in 2007 in a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas after dating for five months.
This inpatient experience won’t be her first time asking for help.
“I’ve been in therapy since my father got diagnosed with cancer nine years ago,” she said. “But then my therapy changed a little bit because I was in a very intense relationship.”
Mel B also explained why she chose a rehab facility in the United Kingdom.
“I have made the decision to go into a proper therapy program in the next few weeks, but it has to be in the U.K. because I am very, very British and I know that will work best for me,” she said.
Mel B is one of many celebrities destigmatizing mental health services by publicizing their decision to seek help, including Kid Cudi and Michelle Williams.
We hope she gets the help she needs and inspires other to do the same.
