Spice Girl Mel B Gets Honorary Degree From Leeds Beckett University For Domestic Abuse Advocacy

Melanie Brown, the former Spice Girl, has received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University. She has been recognised by the university for her contribution to the welfare of domestic abuse victims by capitalising on her influence as a global icon. Overjoyed by the achievement, the pop star compared the achievement to performing with her legendary girl band, Spice Girls, calling it “life-changing.”

Melanie Brown was awarded during their graduation ceremony on Monday, July 15. To accept the award, Melanie dressed in her true Scary Spice style, wearing an animal-print graduation gown. Notably, the singer-turned-campaigner embarked on the journey to help domestic abuse victims following her own similar experience from her previous marriage. Mel B’s tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband inspired her to advocate for other domestic abuse survivors.

Mel B had also enrolled in the Trauma Informed Care course at Leeds University, passing all of her exams to understand the issue at all levels with more depth. During her acceptance speech, she highlighted, “Being awarded this honorary degree from Leeds Beckett University has been life-changing. I didn’t just want to accept an award. I wanted to be accepted as a student at Leeds Beckett. Not only have I been awarded this degree, but I was also accepted as a student on the trauma informed care course, which has been a huge step for me in so many ways.”

Having passed all her exams, Mel B proudly announced that though her experience as a student at Leeds was “most terrifying” and daunting, it has definitely transformed her life. Reflecting on her further plans, the pop star shared that she would frame her honorary degree alongside her student card in a bid to commemorate her advocacy journey.

Mel B and her ex-husband and film producer Stephen Belafonte got divorced in 2017 after the singer accused him of physical and emotional abuse. Later, she moved back to England from Los Angeles only to face major financial crises due to the legal fees and payments that she had to pay her ex-husband. As per the BBC, she was left with nothing, in terms of money. The portal, in one of its reports, also claimed that Melanie was ordered to pay Stephen $350,000 (nearly Rs 3 crore), and also $5000 (nearly Rs 4 lakh) per month for their daughter Madison.