When Melanie 'Mel B' Janine Brown of Spice Girls fame asked Eddie Murphy for child support years ago, tabloid stories about the situation made jaws drop. Many had no idea the pair had even been dating, and their three-month relationship didn't seem like a very long one. Many called Brown a "gold digger" for pursuing Murphy's money, particularly after famed attorney Gloria Allred took her case.
Since Mel B came forward with a book about her version of the story, which she says the press largely got wrong, there are new facts to ponder. In it, she explains how she and Murphy enjoyed a whirlwind romance that took a dark turn after she discovered she was pregnant with their child.
Find out some of the details she revealed in these 20 Little Known Facts About Mel B's Relationship With Eddie Murphy.
20 Eddie Asked Her Father For Her Hand In Marriage
People may not peg Eddie Murphy as an old-fashioned kind of guy, but it turns out that he asked Mel B's father for her hand in marriage after she'd already selected a ring. It was so important to Murphy that he even asked him at an upscale restaurant in Beverly Hills, the Viceroy L'Ermitage.
19 Mel Fell In Love With Him Instantly
Mel B says that when she locked eyes with Eddie Murphy while meeting him for the first time, it was love at first sight. The feelings she experienced were so intense she had to leave the party to regain her composure. She also said that while dating, he made her happier than any man had before.
18 Their Relationship Lasted Nine Months
One of the many myths about their relationship that Mel B wants to debunk is that they were together for just three months. In fact, she says the relationship lasted nine months, with plans to get married before they split up. This is something that reporters seemed to not know during coverage of the legal battle.
17 Eddie Had Her Name Tattooed On His Body
For those who didn't think the relationship was all that serious, consider the fact that Eddie had Mel B's name tattooed on his thigh, in her own unique handwriting. He got the ink at a tattoo shop in Hollywood. Mel B did the same with Murphy's signature. It was a unique way of celebrating her boyfriend.
16 They Met At A Dinner Party
When Mel B first met Eddie Murphy, it was at one of his famous dinner parties for his elite guests. Murphy was 45 years old at the time, while Mel was 32. When she was invited to the party, she was single after a long-term relationship. She met him in his kitchen and says that sparks flew immediately.
15 Eddie Moved The Party To Mel's Hotel
When Mel B fled Murphy's party due to the intensity of their first meeting, she excused herself, saying that she needed to meet friends at the Mondrian hotel. Murphy was so smitten that he moved his party to the hotel, even though that wasn't really where Mel had gone. She later met up with the party at the hotel.
14 Eddie Only Wanted To Date At His House
One of the things that Mel made clear in her book was how important it was for the couple to stay out of the public eye. When they started dating, Eddie didn't want to go anywhere; he wanted her to come to see him at his house for a few days. He called her after the party the next day to make his request, and she agreed.
13 They Watched Old Movies Together
This was one of the many activities the couple enjoyed while dating at Eddie's home. Mel said that she was fascinated when he shared his childhood memories with her. Some of these memories included his favorite old movies, like Blazing Saddles, which starred his idol, Richard Pryor. They also watched Elvis films together because Murphy enjoyed them.
12 Eddie Used His Jacuzzi For The First Time With Mel
Mel said that Murphy's home was pristine and opulent and that there was a gym, as well as a glass roof that opened up at the push of a button. It also had a Jacuzzi that Murphy had never even used. Mel convinced him to use the Jacuzzi, which she says was enormous. They got in the Jacuzzi without swimsuits.
11 Murphy Had Her Chauffeured In His Rolls-Royce
Eddie seemed to treat Mel B like a queen when their relationship began. He offered her a credit card to use, saying it would make him happy, and she says she did use it for a time, but stopped (and gave it back to him) after some weeks went by. He also had her chauffeured around in his fancy Rolls-Royce.
