Who is Lorraine Gilles? Mel B and Stephen Belafonte’s nanny entangled in affair, abortion and sham marriage allegations
MEL B's divorce from Stephen Belafonte turned ugly when the singer alleged her husband impregnated their nanny and arranged a sham marriage to keep her in the country.
Lorraine Gilles suddenly found herself caught in the crossfire – with Mel B even getting a restraining order against her former employee. Here's all we know about her...
Who is Lorraine Gilles?
Lorraine Gilles, 26, was Mel B and Stephen Belafonte's nanny for years and formed a close bond with their children.
The blonde German was previously pictured in a number of both Mel and Stephen's social media snaps.
In one picture she was seen onboard a private jet, while another showed Mel B kissing her cheek and wishing her a happy birthday.
Lorraine, who lives with her events manager husband Michael Bleau, 32, in Tarzana, Los Angeles, arrived in the US from Germany in 2007.
What is her background?
Lorraine signed up with the Happiness in Hospitality website before being snapped up in 2009 to look after Mel’s children from previous relationships, Phoenix, now 18, and Angel, 10, and her daughter with Stephen, six-year-old Madison.
However, while things started out good, it didn't end that way.
Mel claimed her husband got their nanny pregnant before paying Lorraine £241,000 to have an abortion, though Lorraine denies the affair and says she fell pregnant by another man.
Friends have since told the that the disclosure of the abortion, which did happen, is 'what hurt her the most', adding: "'She has been seeing psychologist for several months now in LA to try and help her cope."
Is Lorraine married?
Lorraine is married to events manager Michael Bleau, 32.
However, in September it was reported that the marriage was a sham, organised by Belafonte.
Documents alleged Michael bought a ring for £23 on eBay and no photos were posted on Facebook.
But although Lorraine insists it is legal, friends say it is crumbling under the strain of Mel's claims that Stephen impregnated her.
Sources told that Lorraine has fled back to her home country of Germany to spend time with her family following the fallout with Mel and Stephen.
The friend said: "She feels guilty for dragging her husband into this and as a result they are arguing much more. They have started counselling to help them get through this."
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What has Lorraine said about Mel's claims?
Lorraine has filed a defamation claim against Mel B and is said is to be preparing to sue the pop star for “unspecified damages” over the allegations she has made.
She denied Mel B's claims that she was having an affair with Stephen behind her back and the claims that she took the £241,000 to abort 'his' baby.
The German au pair has admitted she willingly took part in threesomes with the couple.
But court papers filed on her behalf said: “At no point did Gilles and Belafonte engage in any sexual acts without Brown’s knowledge or participation and at no point did Gilles and Belafonte represent to Brown that Gilles was pregnant with Belafonte’s child.”
What has Lorraine Gilles' family said about Mel B's accusations?
Lorraine's sister has denied Mel B's accusations and has said she did NOT have a sexual relationship with Stephen Belafonte.
Despite Lorraine's own admissions, Jacqueline Baartz, who lives in Germany, denied her sibling had a relationship with the film director, and also claims Lorraine was married during the time she was working for the troubled couple.
Jacqueline said: “My sister and I are very, very close and I would have known about this, believe me.
“She never was involved sexually with him. I don’t know where this is coming from. She worked for the family for seven years and had nothing but positive experiences.
“My mum and I went over there a couple of years ago and we saw how well they all interacted. I am shocked to hear of this side of a relationship because it was not one that was displayed to us.
“She is married now and trying to get on with her life.”
Have Mel B and Stephen reached a divorce settlement?
Mel B and Stephen Belafonte were granted a divorce on December 15, 2017.
The former Spice Girl was not in court in Los Angeles to hear the settlement, which will allegedly see Stephen "walk away with over £8 million".
In the ruling, Mel was forced to cover Stephen’s legal fees – reported to be around £180,000 – and has agreed to split the proceeds of the sale of the companies they created during their marriage.
Mel and Stephen will also share custody of their six-year-old daughter Madison.
The judge ruled that the former lovers, who married in June 2007, must also split the profit from the sale of their Los Angeles mansion.
Speaking to , Stephen continued: “I am happy. I got everything I wanted. She put me through the worst hell ever. But now it's all over - I hope.”
Mel later spoke out in a cryptic Instagram post, telling fans that she has been "incredibly weak" in the past.