Just over a week after his wife, Samantha Cope, filed for divorce, "The Masked Singer" star Joey Lawrence has been accused of having an extramarital affair with his married co-star, Melina Alves.
Fox News Digital has obtained court documents confirming that Samantha Cope filed for divorce from Joey Lawrence on August 13, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation. The split came two months after their date of separation, which was listed as June 7, 2024, and two years after they tied the knot in May 2022.
Multiple sources claim that Joey Lawrence's rumored affair with Melina Alves was a significant factor in the couple's divorce. The two actors reportedly met on the set of the upcoming film "Socked in for Christmas."
Joey Lawrence Accused of Extramarital Affair Amidst Divorce Proceedings
"Joey met Melina Alves on the set of their movie, where she was a producer," a People source revealed. "He then love-bombed her just like he love-bombed Samantha. He continued to date Melina even after Samantha found out about it and confronted him."
Sources allege that Samantha Cope suggested the couple attend counseling, but Joey Lawrence "fooled their counselor" and "would get ready for dates with Melina while Sam watched, bawling her eyes out."
Joey Lawrence Accused of Extramarital Affair Amidst Divorce Proceedings
Melina Alves' estranged husband reportedly filed for divorce a few weeks after Samantha Cope filed her paperwork to separate from Joey Lawrence. Representatives for Lawrence, Cope, and Alves have not yet commented on the allegations.
In the divorce filing, Samantha Cope is seeking full physical custody of their one-year-old daughter, Dylan, while permitting Joey Lawrence visitation at her discretion. She has also requested that the court block any potential spousal support awards to either party.
Joey Lawrence Accused of Extramarital Affair Amidst Divorce Proceedings
"Samantha will have 100% physical custody of Dylan with visitation to Joe at Samantha's discretion. Once Dylan is 3 or older, Joe will have the option to take her for 2 nights in her home location if he is not working and can facilitate her visiting," the court documents state.
Samantha Cope and Joey Lawrence welcomed their daughter in January 2023. Prior to his divorce from Cope, Lawrence was married to Chandie Lawrence for 15 years, and they share two daughters together, Charleston and Liberty.
Despite the divorce proceedings, Joey Lawrence posted a fan video on Instagram that featured some of his iconic scenes from various television shows, including "Blossom," "Brotherly Love," "Gimme a Break!", and "Melissa and Joey."
Before their split, Samantha Cope shared a cryptic message on social media that read in part: "Not everything you lose is a loss. Some things are a freedom. Some things are a second chance. Some things are a miracle in disguise."
Joey Lawrence's acting career has spanned over four decades, beginning with commercials and guest appearances on shows like "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Silver Spoons." He gained popularity with his role in "Brotherly Love" alongside his real-life siblings, Matthew and Andrew Lawrence.
