Mother-in-law meltdown: the real reason Eddie Murphy split from Scary Spice
By CAROLINE GRAHAM
Last updated at 20:24pm on 9th December 2006
It sounds like a script from one of his hit comedy movies but for Eddie Murphy it's no joking matter.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that mother-in-law trouble was behind the breakdown of Murphy's romance with former Spice Girl Melanie Brown.
The troubled relationship finally hit the rocks because of Scary Spice's jealousy over the 45-year-old actor's close relationship with his mother.
Things came to a head on Hallowe'en in Murphy's magnificent £14.5 million Beverly Hills mansion when Murphy ignored Mel all evening, focusing his attention on his doting mother Lillian, 65, who was preparing his children for a night of trick or treating.
Melanie stormed from the room, snapping: "Why does he pay so much attention to his mother? I'm his girlfriend."
A source close to Murphy said: "Eddie heard that Melanie had criticised his mother. This wasn't the first time, either. He dumped her the next day.
"He said, 'When it comes down to it, my mother is the most important woman in my life. If a girl doesn't get on with her, she doesn't get to stay with me.'"
The couple's acrimonious split hit the headlines last week when Murphy declared he wanted a paternity test to prove whether Mel B's unborn child was his.
Mel, 31, responded: "There is absolutely no question that Eddie is the father."
Hollywood's unlikeliest romance began in June, just two months after Murphy divorced Nicole, his wife of 13 years and mother of their five children.
A friend of the actor, who amassed a £100 million fortune from hits such as Beverly Hills Cop and Dr Doolittle, said: "Melanie has a terrible temper and a foul mouth.
"He was used to having a wife who was subservient, but Melanie considered herself his equal.
"The biggest bone of contention was Eddie's mother. He moved her in to help him cope with the kids when they came to stay. They are extremely close. He always says if it wasn't for her support, he wouldn't be who he is today.
"Melanie was constantly criticising Eddie, saying she couldn't respect a 45-year-old man who still lived with his mum.
"She hated the time and attention he lavished on her," the friend added. "Lillian never got on with Melanie. Most of Eddie's friends and family thought Melanie was just using Eddie.
"She arrived in Hollywood three years ago and her career has gone nowhere. Everyone was stunned when she got pregnant."
Murphy's career had slumped in recent years but his performance in the musical Dreamgirls is tipped to win him a best supporting actor Oscar.
Leeds-born Melanie has failed to break America. Her last album, LA State Of Mind, sold just 670 copies in its first week and a horror film, Lethal Dose, went straight to DVD.
While Murphy spent last week promoting Dreamgirls, with new girlfriend Tracey Edmonds on his arm, Melanie was believed to be staying with friends in Malibu, emerging only to visit her lawyers.
A source said: "Eddie's mother is pleased the relationship is over. She never criticised Melanie but she knew Eddie wouldn't stand for anyone giving her a hard time, and she was right.
"Mother always does know best."
Source:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1773
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