Former Spice Girls star Mel B has wiped out her multi-million fortune after leading an 'extravagant' lifestyle, a court was told during a bitter divorce battle.
The singer, 42, attended court in Los Angeles on Friday for the first time to face Stephen Belafonte, who she says tortured her to years of physical and mental abuse according to DailyMail.
The pair both have outstanding tax debts after making 'improvident' lifestyle choices, Los Angeles Superior Court was told.
Photo of Mel B and SPICE GIRLS performing live on stage. Photo / Getty
She was revealed to be making between $194,000 US and $198,000 US a month.
Belafonte, who claims his income is zero, is asking for backdated support totaling $71,581 US in wages, $2,728 US in perks and $118,000 US in spousal support each month.
His lawyer, Susan Weisberg, asked Judge Lawrence Riff to order the sale of the couple's Los Angeles home if necessary. It is currently on the market for $8 million US.
Grace Jamra, representing Belafonte, said: 'Their lifestyle was extravagant and affluent.
'She wiped out all her Spice Girls money, approximately [$]50 million US if not more.'
In exclusive DailyMail.com pictures the former Spice Girl looked confident as she strode into the downtown LA court building in black pants, a white shirt, lace tie and a pair of trendy black shades.
Flanked by her legal reps, the pop star stayed quiet as she entered the building.
Recording artist Melanie Brown (R) and her ex husband in 2013. Photo / Getty
The former couple, who were married for 10 years, are battling over money and custody of their child.
Mel B, whose real name is Melanie Brown,sat clutching a tissue at the far side of the court to the suited Belafonte and they were separated by four lawyers.
Jacalyn Davis, representing Brown, spoke of their tax problems, saying they were 'sustained through improvident lifestyle choices'. 'They never had money at the end of the year to pay their taxes,' she added.
'All their community income was being spent and then some.
'In this marriage that would be Miss Brown's income from the Spice Girls.
'Prickly things happen when the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) doesn't get paid.'
Brown previously won a temporary restraining order after arguing her husband is abusive and has links to the porn industry.
Heidi Klum and Mel B take a picture. Photo / Getty
Her lawyers claimed he was a danger to their child as a 'convicted domestic violence offender' with an 'extensive criminal history'. Ms Jamra argued the allegations were part of 'an ongoing smear campaign'.
But Judge Lawrence Riff ruled Belafonte, 42, could only see five-year-old Madison twice a week at a supervised centre. Brown, now a judge on America's Got Talent, married the film producer in Las Vegas in June 2007.
She filed for divorce on March 20, citing 'irreconcilable differences'.
Mel, 42, earlier obtained a temporary restraining order against Belafonte accusing of mental and physical abuse, taking millions of dollars from her and forcing her into threesome sex, in explosive court papers.
The TV presenter also described how she was once so desperate she took an overdose.
And she also accuses her husband, also 42, of having an affair with their nanny Lorraine Gilles which resulted in the woman becoming pregnant.
She said in the filing earlier this year: 'I have tried to leave the Respondent many times. Every time I tried, the Respondent threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life in every way.'
Belafonte has denied the claims and said that he has been set up and made to look like a 'bad guy.'
