Joey Lawrence's Divorce After Alleged Affair Takes an Unexpected Twist
Joey Lawrence confirmed on Wednesday, Dec. 4 that he and his formerly estranged wife Samantha Cope had a happy ending to their divorce story. The duo relaunched their relationship at a red carpet event for their movie, Merry Christmas, which they filmed before their marital troubles and his alleged affair.
“I am beyond grateful ????I am beyond blessed????I am galaxies beyond thankful,” Lawrence wrote in the caption of his Instagram post. “My heart is so full ❤️.” The carousel featured cozy images with Cope, and he even wrote “My forever after” in a snapshot of them kissing. Cope agreed with that assessment writing, “love you” with a red heart emoji in the comments.
The couple’s drama played out in public when Cope filed for divorce in August and then TMZ caught wind of another divorce on the East Coast. It was rumored that Lawrence had an affair with his Socked in for Christmas co-star, Melina Alves. Alves’ estranged husband Edward Rider named Lawrence as the reason for their divorce.
“Joey met Melina Alves on the set of their movie, where she was a producer,” an insider claimed to People in August. “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.” Even after Cope and Lawrence attended couples’ therapy, the 48-year-old actor “fooled their counselor” and got “ready for dates with Melina while Sam watched, bawling her eyes out.”
What makes this reconciliation tale even more curious is that Alves confessed to People in a written statement on Dec. 5 that the marital reunion was a “surprise” to her. She reiterated that she only had a friendship with Lawrence despite her ex-husband’s claims and she wished them “all the love” in their marriage.
Alves’ response might leave you scratching your head — we are a bit confused by her reaction, too. It feels like there is more to the story with her cryptic statement, but let’s hope Lawrence and Cope are back on track to their happily ever after.
Before you go, click here to see all the celebrity couples who have stayed together after cheating scandals.