people - Mel B is deeply moved by the honorary doctorate
Doctor Scary Spice: The former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B, has been honored with a Doctorate. The 49-year-old accepted the award from Leeds Beckett University at a ceremony on Monday evening and was deeply moved.
Mel B was awarded the Doctorate in her birthplace Leeds, which she described as life-changing and an achievement akin to performing with the Spice Girls in front of thousands at Wembley Stadium. Brown reportedly received the accolade for her work with victims of domestic violence.
Leopard-patterned Cloak
Being a student at an advanced age was also deeply significant for her, Brown told the PA news agency. "Walking through these doors as a student was probably one of the most terrifying things I've ever done, but it changed my life." She passed her exams, she added.
The former pop star also made a fashion statement. Mel B wore a green dress with a red, blue, and yellow cloak featuring a leopard-print lining over it.
From great fame came difficult times
Mel B had previously spoken in her autobiography "Brutally Honest" about how she had to navigate challenging times after the fame of the Spice Girls ("Wannabe").
The tabloid "The Sun" reported earlier this year that she had only a few hundred euros in her pocket after her separation from her former husband Stephen Belafonte in 2017. Her life has since stabilized, Brown claimed. She accuses Belafonte of domestic abuse. He has always denied the allegations.
Brown was already honored with an Order of the British Monarchy in 2022 for her work with victims of domestic violence.
Melanie Brown, now a Doctor of Honor, shared her gratitude for the award in her hometown of Leeds, comparing it to performing with the Spice Girls at Wembley-Stadium. Despite striking fear in returning to education at an advanced age, Brown found success and passed her exams. On the night of her ceremony, she made a bold fashion statement, donning a green dress with a leopard-print lining on her leopard-patterned cloak.
Though Mel B found great fame with the Spice Girls, this brought about challenging times in her personal life, as she revealed in her autobiography "Brutally Honest." Facing financial hardships after her separation, Brown reportedly had only a few hundred euros in her pocket. However, she asserted that her life has since become more stable.
In 2022, Mel B was honored with an Order of the British Monarchy for her dedicated service towards victims of domestic violence.
Together with her fellow Spice Girls, Brown has made a significant impact on music and touched the lives of many people around the world.
