Joey Lawrence Embroiled in Adultery Scandal with Co-Star Melina Alves
Actor Joey Lawrence, 48, is facing accusations of adultery with his co-star and producer Melina Alves, according to new divorce documents. Alves’ estranged husband, Edward Rider, alleges that he discovered the affair in March, prompting him to file for divorce in July.
This news comes just weeks before Lawrence’s estranged wife, Samantha Cope, filed for divorce from the Melissa & Joey alum. The couple, who met on the set of the Lifetime movie My Husband’s Secret Brother in 2020, got engaged in August 2021 and tied the knot in May 2022.
Cope, 37, requested sole custody of their 19-month-old daughter, Dylan, in her divorce filing. She also blocked the court’s ability to award spousal support.
Months before filing for divorce, Cope shared a cryptic message about “loss” on Instagram, writing, “Not everything you lose is a loss. Some things are a freedom.” The passage, posted in June, seemed to hint at the couple’s troubled relationship.
Lawrence and Cope’s relationship was marked by romantic getaways and public displays of affection. However, their whirlwind romance was not without its challenges. In an exclusive interview, Lawrence gushed about meeting Cope, saying, “Meeting her has just been really the greatest thing ever.”
The actor’s personal life has been subject to scrutiny in the past. He was previously married to Chandie Yawn-Nelson for over a decade before their 2020 split. Lawrence also shares two daughters, Charleston and Liberty, with Yawn-Nelson.
Lawrence’s brothers, Matthew and Andrew, have also made headlines for their tumultuous love lives. The siblings have been staples in the entertainment industry since their early days on shows like Blossom and Brotherly Love.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.