Melina Alves Says Her Relationship With Joey Lawrence Never Went Beyond Friendship
Melina Alves reveals that not only are she and Joey Lawrence just friends, but her own marriage has been fraught.
Updated Aug. 29 2024, 12:39 p.m. ET
In August 2024, actor Joey Lawrence's wife filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. The couple met in 2021 while filming Lifetime's My Husband's Secret Brother. Their whirlwind romance resulted in a 2022 marriage followed by the birth of their daughter Dylan in January 2023. Because Samantha requested that no non-family members visit Joey while he is spending time with their daughter, people began to wonder if that was referencing another woman.
Two days after Samantha filed for divorce, People reported that Joey might have stepped out with another co-star. In what feels like déjà vu, a source told the outlet he was seeing actor-writer Melina Alves. The two worked together on the upcoming movie Socked In for Christmas where the source claimed Joey "love-bombed her just like he love-bombed Samantha."
Melina Alves addressed the Joey Lawrence cheating rumors in a pretty vulnerable Instagram post. Let's get into it.
Ricardo Chavez, Allison Elliott, Joey Lawrence, and Melina Alves on the set of 'Socked In for Christmas'
Melina Alves addresses the Joey Lawrence cheating rumors and said they are just friends.
On Aug. 28, 2024, Melina took to Instagram in order to clear up the cheating rumors regarding her and Joey Lawrence. In the post, she explains that this update was a result of her hand being forced more than anything else. Melina describes herself as a private person who is uncomfortable with sensitive information being bandied about so publicly.
She clearly states that there was "no sexual relationship between Joey and myself while we were on set filming Socked in for Christmas." The two bonded over similar situations they found themselves in, as Melina was "immediately struck by his kindness, warmth, and genuine character." Their shared experiences grew into a deep friendship that has "been a source of strength for both of us."
Melina then goes on to reveal that she and her ex-husband had been separated since January 2023, and were sleeping in separate bedrooms. Sadly, Melina also wrote that due to her ex-husband's alleged behavior, she had to file a restraining order against him, which he violated. While reporting the violation to police, Melina alleges that her ex-husband "immediately contacted news outlets," further victimizing her. She ends the post by asking for privacy and hopes this clears up any gossip.
A day after Melina’s post, Joey Lawrence addressed the cheating rumors on social media, calling them “false.”
Joey begins by acknowledging his responsibility to address the curiosity surrounding his relationship with Alvina, especially since he and his wife have recently entered the divorce phase of their lives.. "Melina and I became close friends and I did not have a physical relationship with her while filming the movie "Socked in for Christmas." These rumors are false."
He explained that the bond between them was “based on shared experiences” and “the challenges” they were facing. Joey continued by saying that when he met Melina, he “was in the midst of a deeply troubled marriage” and revealed that his marriage had unraveled because he realized “there was no way my two eldest daughters were ever going to be accepted by my wife as part of my family.”
The two daughters Joey was referring to are those he shares with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson.
