Mel B. says Angel Iris was ‘completely planned’
In a new, no-holds barred interview with Essence magazine, Spice Girl Melanie Brown (aka Mel B.) expounded on earlier statements that Angel Iris, her 3 1/2-month-old daughter with actor Eddie Murphy, was no accident. According to Mel — who also has daughter Phoenix Chi, 8, from a previous marriage — the couple collectively decided to have her IUD removed in order to conceive a baby by Christmas 2006; To their surprise, Angel Iris was conceived right away.
It happened quicker than we expected but it was perfect timing … This was a completely planned pregnancy. This wasn’t some random ‘Oops, I fell over and I’m pregnant.’ I don’t live my life like that. I’m a responsible parent and have been a responsible single parent since I got divorced. This is the one thing that really annoys me. If I wanted to have a baby I would have had a baby a long time ago. I wouldn’t have waited eight years to have another one.
Once the pregnancy was realized the relationship began to unravel, according to Mel, after the couple clashed over Eddie’s need to make ‘lifestyle changes‘ before Angel arrived. At an apparent impasse, Mel left for London, where she saw Eddie’s infamous interview with a Dutch television station during which it was suggested that he was not the father of the then-unborn child. For the remainder of her pregnancy, Eddie stayed out of touch.
I called to let his assistant know that I was going into labor and the baby would probably be born within the next 24-hours. I asked her to please let him know and she responded ‘He knows.’ And still nothing; Not even a hello to the baby, not even a nappy or flowers bought. Nothing.
Click continue reading’ for more of the interview!
On her reaction to the Dutch TV interview: I laughed because that wasn’t the guy that I knew who told me he wanted to have a baby and get married. I just didn’t believe it. I had my lawyer send me the link for the clip of that Dutch TV show. I had to see it to believe it. When I saw it my heart dropped down to my gut. Obviously, there was something within him that I didn’t know. Then I thought, If that’s the kind of person that he truly is, then I’m better off by myself.
I had to switch gears because I had press outside my property walking up to my front door. It was awful because I was pregnant. Eddie and I were extremely low-key; you didn’t see me going anywhere with him maybe once or twice. One of the reasons I moved to this country was to avoid the limelight so I could take my kid to the park and do my grocery shopping. So to have him embarrass me worldwide and have press knocking on my door—frankly, I was pissed and I was like, "Thank you! You have now put me in a whole different lifestyle where I have to have security, move to a new house, and move my kid out of the school she attended." That was no fun.
On the importance of giving her kids a ‘normal life’: I have a baby with this guy so I have to be somewhat respectful. I’ll simply say that there were lifestyle changes that he would have to make if we were going to live together and do it properly. I have a house where it’s about my kids and me. I don’t have people knocking on my door at 3 and 4 in the morning. I have a very simple life—I don’t have a ton of people looking after my kids—I’m a very regular person when it comes to that because I want my kids to have a normal life as much as possible.
On whether Phoenix is exposed to gossip: No, I tell her what she needs to know because there are certain things that your kids don’t need to know. They don’t need to know the ins and outs of breakups. I simply give her a heads-up: This is how it is and if you have a problem with that, then let’s talk about it.
On her decision to retreat from the public eye after Eddie’s comments regarding Angel Iris’ paternity: I’m not about to go knocking on somebody’s door like, "Hold on a minute, what happened? Why are you doing this to me?" I have too much pride and self-esteem to be treated that way. Obviously, what I said must have hurt him to make him react that way because the guy doesn’t speak about his relationships, period. I didn’t want to have a rocky pregnancy, so I moved to the beach with my kids and my dogs. I had an amazing pregnancy—my labor was so easy—and I gave birth to an amazing daughter.
Source: Essence
- Posted on Jul 24, 07 at 2:15PM
- Permalink
- 28 Comments
July 24th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I am just struck by Mel B’s classiness in this interview. Both her and Brynn Cameron (Matt Leinart’s babymama) are in similar situations, and it’s interesting to compare how they both broached the topic. She got her point across that Eddie was not that involved without resorting to pettiness. Class act.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Well, good for her for defending herself and her babies!
I wonder what on earth got into Eddie Murphy?! I mean, you’d think he’d realize that his fans come from all backgrounds: from those adults that love his raunchy comedy, to entire familes that loved him in Dr. Dolittle, the Nutty Professor and Shrek.
Not that the fans are the reason he should fess up to being little Angel’s dad but, still, he must realize this is awful negligence on many planes.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
That’s impossible because if she was conceive around Christmas 2006, she would have been born around September 2007.
Sarah’s note: I think you misread the article. She had her birth control removed with plans to conceive BY Christmas 06, and it happened earlier for them.
July 24th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I think it’s HORRIBLE. He knows he had sex with her, he knew it was his baby, he knows it is is baby and nothing! That is just wrong. It couldn’t be about money because he has too much.
Also, his new lady is always taking up for him in interviews and she needs to quit. Encourage your man to STEP UP and be a Da. Afterall, he has 5 other kids, so he has experience!
He has 2 children before he married he never talks about (I know they are adults now), five from his marriage and you cannot own up to this new beautiful baby? It cannot be amount money because he has plenty!
I wish Mel B. had taken her time with him. Afterall, he was newly divorced and was probably rebounding (not that he didn’t care for her).
At least she is being civil and taking care of her babies. He will get his in court I am sure!
July 24th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
You know, I respect this lady so much for not laying down and taking his crap in the name of protecting Eddie for Angel’s sake. While there are two sides to every story, I do believe the lout had her believing he was wanting a baby. I don’t see her going as far as removing her IUD without some prompting from him. The only thing I fault her for is not giving it more time before she agreed. There are men who are so smooth they can talk cream out of coffee with little effort. Seems Eddie is one. Maybe if she’d given it more time he would have shown his true colors and this would have been avoided. On the other hand then she wouldn’t have her beautiful girl so I guess it’s worth the hardship. From the sound of it Phoenix and Angel have a wonderful mother who will raise them in a solid and loving environment, whether there’s a man around or not. Not being a part of Angel’s life is Eddie’s loss, and to be frank I don’t think he deserves it. As long as he’s made to be financially responsible for her then he can whistle Dixie where ever he chooses. Looks like she’ll be a happy and healthy girl either way.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Even if the baby was not planned he has a child, and he needs to make some sort of arrangements to care, or meet his child. Otherwise he will have a lot of questions to answer one day. He needs to think if his other children, and think how they might be feeling about all of this.
July 24th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
ugh, I’ll start by saying its my own fault for reading these articles - I need to just stop. But I hate these ‘he said - she said’ issues that play out in the press. I like to think (I hope to god is more like it) that if I were a public figure of any kind, I would keep my personal dramas out of the public arena. I know, I know - in this situation Eddie started it by saying to the press that he didn’t know who’s baby it was and Mel feels the need to defend her reputation and honor. But I’m an equal opportunity criticizer - he should have kept his personal business private and she wouldn’t have had to respond.
July 24th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Eddie Murphy: El Jerko!!!
July 24th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I really don’t understand either one of them! How can a man who was recently divorced and who already has how many kids 7? tell his girlfriend of a couple of months I want to have a baby and get married. It just doesn’t fit. Now I can understand Melanie probably falling hard for him and totally believing his lies but even I would be like wait you just got off a divorce we are getting to know each other…why take such a big step and purposely become pregnant. On top of all this the paternity is confirmed and still hasn’t acknowledged or requested to see his daughter. That is just really really strange.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
i just don’t believe her. i think if baby were planned, this whole mess wouldn’t have happened
July 24th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
I think there is more to this story than we have heard. I’m sorry, but I find it highly strange that Eddie Murphy, who has 5 kids already and probably did make the decision to have one with his then current girlfriend, suddenly decide to deny it. What happened that made him do that?
Honestly, I think she should just not even talk about it publicly anymore. Since the DNA test proved that Angel is his daughter, then this should become strictly a court matter. Eddie may be a total jerk, but I am glad he isn’t saying anything to the press. It is a private matter now. It is up to him to see or not see this baby. I love Mel B., but it’s like “Enough, we get it!”
July 24th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Whether or not Eddie sees the baby or does anything for Angel, I just don’t have anything further to say on that part, but I’m just wondering if his children, at least his five with Nicole, have seen their new baby sister yet? As much as Eddie may or may not be doing for Angel, I’d at least hope they’d get to know their baby sister, bond with her.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Grayson, I have to say I disagree with you. My own divorce was very bitter and my ex said a lot of nasty, inappropriate things to our daughter. It was very difficult, but I chose not to discuss some of his very suspicious behavior, including that which ended the marriage. As she grew up, our daughter saw a lot of his craziness for herself. I think Mel would have done better for Angel (and Phoenix, who is old enough to read this stuff) to just stay quiet.
As for Tracey Edmonds, Eddie’s new gf, she is just flat-out crazy. I don’t know what happened with her first husband, Babyface, but by not only dating but defending Eddie, she made it clear to me that she’s not all there.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Eddie is a piece of work, besides Angel he has 2 other kids he denied at first too. Plus the 5 with his wife, so he is up to 8 kids, He should get clipped or something, that way he doesn’t keep making babies and asking for DNA or use protection when you have sex lol. As for Mel who knows if the baby was planned or not,she is just saying her side. But even if Angel wasn’t planned, it’s still Eddie’s child and he should wanna be a part of her life.
July 25th, 2007 at 12:16 am
Yeah, I must say I was definately surprised by the fact that they planned to have a baby when they were dating what? 6 months total? Of course there are sides to this person that you don’t know, you’ve know them a very short time! It just seemed very rushed…and I would have been weary from the start, if a man was telling me (right after being divorced) that we should have a baby and get married…after a few months! This celebrities move in light years I tell yah!
July 25th, 2007 at 4:09 am
What ever went on between mother and father - it’s so sad not having any interested in meeting your baby… He hasn’t even seen his daughter once…? Really, really poor character-move of Eddie Murphy
July 25th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Isabel and Lila?
Ive heard that NICOLE had found another lover prior to their divorce and maybe Eddie was feeling sad and alone and might have promised Mel things he didnt want at the time…
There are also those persistent rumors that he dates all these women and NEEDS a woman to be seen with cause hes secretly gay and needs a beard… There was that little incident years ago with that transvestite, ya know?
BTW- NNDB.com lists Eddie as Bisexual
July 25th, 2007 at 8:21 am
When did Mel & Eddie start dating ?
July 25th, 2007 at 8:29 am
It is terrible period when father deny their kids.
Mel says she is smart, so y was she s quick to remove her IUD? She says she was conscious about keeping the relationship private & shielding her daughter..so was she not aware that he was going thru a divorce? He was not in the best state.
Have sex fine, but I think she removed the IUD to soon.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Eddie Murphy is a. All I have to say about him.
Poor little baby didn’t do anything to receive rejection from this coward.
I see Mel B differently now, I have increasingly gotten a huge respect for her, for her class toward this situation. The way she deals with it is really mature and smart. She really seems like a good mom, very responsable, and certainly is.
I wish her and her baby much luck and joy together along with Phoenix.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Lila, I completely agree with you. While everyone else is praising Mel for being so “open and honest,” the first thought in my mind was, “You meet a guy who just got divorced, has five children with his ex-wife plus two others, you’ve been together for six months if that-and you decide you’re going to be responsible for creating human life with this person?” Why does Mel not own any responsibility for taking Eddie’s word as gospel and not choosing to take things more slowly. She said herself that there were lifestyle changes Eddie was going to have to make for them to live together, and still she willingly chose to have a child with him? If she waited a little longer before choosing to start a family with a new man, she might have actually seen that in the long run, things weren’t going to work out. Honestly, this is the kind of reasoning teenagers use when they get pregnant: “Well, he told me he loved me and promised me we’d be together forever and get married! *Sob.” Please. I’d have expected an older woman who already had a child and was divorced to know better.
July 25th, 2007 at 8:53 am
i just cannot force myself to believe her story. i mean, they were dating for few months only and he already has 5 children. or maybe he just wasn’t involved in ‘planning’ ?
July 25th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Madame Prince… I agree with your comment about Tracey Edmonds. What on earth is that woman thinking?!
July 25th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I think this mess is more Mel’s fault than it is Eddie’s. Crocodiles don’t purr, and she expected one to. Having unrealistic expections of someone is more the fault of the person WITH the expectations.
Her getting pregnant on purpose and THEN telling him that he needed to change for her is like jumping into a swimming pool when someone promises there will be water in it by the time you hit bottom. You’re supposed to wait for the water, not ask for it when you’re mid-air.
July 25th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
So she made a “choice” to have a baby with a man who has only been divorced since April 06 and decided to have a baby who was born about a year later? Was their relationship serious? I mean you have to also take responsibility for your own choices in life as well. I am sure Eddie could of promised her things and could of told her he wanted more children but then again I would just decide to have a baby with someone unless I had been going out with him for a long time and know for sure this is something I want to do. What kind of father is he to his other kids?
I feel bad for Mel B. that she has to go through this and think Eddie is being a jerk, however I can’t put the full blame on him when Mel B. should of perhaps took some time to evaluate the relationship as well as Eddie himself. JMO
July 25th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Madam Pince, I’m really sorry you and your daughter had to endure that. That said, I think this is different. It isn’t as if they are co-parenting and she’s deliberatly setting Angel up to hate him by being vile in public. The man has refused to acknowledge the child and be a presence in her life. While I absolutely DO NOT agree with trashing a parent to a child, I also think she has a right to publicly defend herself since he used the forum to attempt to discredit her. She hasn’t called him names and she hasn’t been nasty, she’s just said exactly what happened in her estimation. Given his track record with the eldest two of his children, it’s more likely that what she’s saying is true. He really took a swipe at her by basically implying she was promiscuous, and I believe he would have kept on going if DNA hadn’t shut him down made him look stupid. I do hope now that she’s defended herself she lets this go through the courts as quietly as possible. There isn’t much Eddie can come out and say now that won’t make him look worse, so there’s no more need for public statements from her. Lets all hope she can concentrate on raising her daughters in the anonymity she they deserve.
July 25th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
aw, i just adore mel, what a woman, what a role model.
someone said something above, about eddie’s new lady, and how she should encourage him to step up. i can’t imagine doing some of the things i hear about celebrities/people doing… my boyfriend’s ex is pregnant, and swears it’s his. when he first told me, he was on a “i don’t know if she’s mine” kick. i said to him, “did you sleep with her? do you have any reason to suspect she was with someone else?” No and no. So, I’m happy to say that he is now much more involved in this baby-to-be’s life, and I’m very proud.
If only we all lived by the golden rule.
July 25th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Sure she made a mistake trusting him but who hasn’t ever made mistakes on trusting someone? Give her a break.