Joey Lawrence is accused of having an affair with Brazilian actress and writer Melina Alves, according to divorce documents filed by Alves’ husband. Alves starred alongside Lawrence, 48, in the upcoming Christmas movie, “Socked in for Christmas.” The allegations come just days after it was revealed that Lawrence’s wife Samantha has started divorce proceedings after two years of marriage.
Alves’ husband, Edward Rider, filed for divorce from his estranged wife in New Jersey at the end of July, according to TMZ . It was just weeks later that Samantha submitted docs of her own. In his filing, Rider said he discovered Alves and Lawrence were allegedly having an affair at the end of March, which he claimed started in California.
According to photos taken on the set of Alves’ and Lawrence’s movie, the film was shot in Los Angeles in March and April. Samantha marked the date of her and Lawrence’s separation as June 7, per Daily Mail. Alves wrote the Christmas flick in addition to starring in it alongside Lawrence.
Alves posted a photo from the set of the movie via Instagram on April 18 showing her and Lawrence alongside two other cast members, captioning the snap, “We had a great team, that’s for sure 💕 @joeylawrence.” She added, “Miss you everyday @allisonelliottbeauty ! See you soon @ricardochavez33 🙏🏽💜💜 #filmmaking #christmasinjuly[.]” Rider’s docs also claimed that his wife and Lawrence’s alleged entanglement went on “at various other times and places” besides California.
Interestingly enough, Lawrence met his now estranged wife on the set of a Lifetime movie, “My Husband’s Secret Brother,” back in 2020. They got engaged in August 2021 and married in May 2022. In her divorce filing, Samantha cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for wanting to end her union with Lawrence.
She also asked for sole custody of her and Lawrence’s daughter, Dylan, who was born in January 2023. The actress also asked that Lawrence only be allowed to visit their child at her discretion. She went on to say that when Dylan turns 3, she would allow the child to spend up to two nights a week with Lawrence.
Samantha asked that he not be permitted to have custody of Dylan for an extended period of time until she is older and could consent to these visits. Samantha also asked that neither party receive spousal support. Alves also has a child from her marriage with her now estranged spouse.
The Post has reached out to reps for Lawrence and Alves..
