Friends of Melanie Brown today said the Spice Girl knew about her new husband’s past, as it was revealed he is a convicted wife beater.

Film producer Stephen Belafonte battered the mother of his three-year-old daughter in a “malicious and unlawful” drunken frenzy.

A friend of the singer said although Brown was shocked to hear about his past, she went into the relationship “with her eyes open”.

The friend added: “Mel knows he’s no angel.”

According to court papers, Mr Belafonte, 32, was charged with battery after he attacked his commonlaw wife Nicole Contreras at their home in 2003.

He was spared jail but had to take part in a ‘Domestic Violence Batterers’ Programme’.

He was thrown out of the course twice for skipping classes.

Three years before his battery charge, Mr Belafonte also pleaded guilty to vandalism.

He and Brown are said to be “deeply in love” and she has described him as “a rock” in her battle with film star Eddie Murphy over maintenance for their baby daughter, Angel Iris.

Source

Also pictured: Hilary Swank.

We’ve all heard the reasons why Angelina is so skinny (grief after her mother’s death)…but Angie really should start gaining a bit of weight.  It’s just not attractive when a woman gets that skinny.

Can you tell who this 17 year old is? She plays a bitchy teen on a cable drama. I didn’t recognize her at first. Answer after the jump! (more…)