Anyone wondering if Stephen Belafonte is related to renowned singer Harry Belafonte should know that the film producer changed his surname later in life.
According to reports, the accomplished television producer was born Stephen Stansbury and he changed it to Belafonte after moving to Hollywood.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Belafonte is not related to Harry Belafonte, as the two renowned figures have different surnames.
- Stephen and Harry hail from the different parts of the United States.
- While the television producer was born in Los Angeles, California, the singer was born in Harlem, New York.
Is Stephen Belafonte Related To Harry Belafonte?
No. Stephen Belafonte is not related to the prominent musician Harry Belafonte.
As stated above, the television producer’s original surname is not Belafonte but Stansbury. However, this fact came to light in quite a bit controversial way.
In 2017, Stephen Belafonte’s ex-wife, Mel, claimed that he changed his surname to Belafonte so he could tell others that he was the son of Harry Belafonte, the King of Calypso.
Mel further alleged that she didn’t know his birth name at the time of their marriage in June 2007.
Regardless of the reason, Stephen doesn’t share any familial connection with the musician.
Furthermore, they also come from different cities of the countries.
Stephen Belafonte was born Stephen Stansbury in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California to his parents, Thomas and Sheryl Stansbury.
On the other hand, Harry Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, New York.
Stephen Belafonte And Harry Belafonte Family Ethnicity
Talking about their family ethnicity, both Stephen and Harry are of black American ethnicity.
However, Harry Belafonte has a more diverse ethnic background. His parents were Jamaican.
Additionally, the musician’s father, Harold George Bellanfanti Sr., was reportedly the son of a Black American mother and a Dutch-Jewish father.
Similarly, his mother, Melvine Love, was welcomed by a Scottish Jamaican mother and an Afro-Jamaican father.
On the other hand, Stephen Belafonte also belongs to the Black-American ethnicity.
While both Harry and Stephen Belafonte are of Black American ethnicity, their family backgrounds and heritage are quite different.
Harry Belafonte’s heritage includes Jamaican, Dutch-Jewish, and Scottish roots, while Stephen Belafonte’s heritage is primarily Black American.
Stephen Belafonte Net Worth
As reported by Celebrity Net Worth, Stephen Belafonte’s net worth is $1 million.
His primary income source is his job as an American producer and director.
Apart from his income as a television personality, there are many factors that significantly influence Stephen’s fortune. For instance, spousal support fee.
In 2017, Mel B divorced Stephen Belafonte, accusing him of a decade-long physical abuse.
She got a restraining order against him, alleging that he was jealous of her relationship with Usher, a fellow judge on X-Factor Australia, and was abusive to her team.
The court ordered Mel B to pay Stephen $40,000 monthly as spousal support in July 2017.
It was revealed that Mel had spent most of her fortune, which was once over $30 million.
She had less than $1,300 in her bank account but earned about $240,000 monthly from America’s Got Talent. They owned a $6.5 million mansion with a $3 million mortgage.
In 2018, Mel paid Stephen $422,000. Her net income in 2017 was negative $3.2 million after expenses.
Besides spousal support, she spent $1.7 million on legal and accounting fees, had $100,000 credit card debt, and owed $800,000 in taxes.
FAQs
Is Stephen Belafonte Harry Belafonte son?
No. Though they share the same surname, they are unrelated. Stephen is the son of Thomas and Sheryl Stansbury not the prominent singer Harry Belafonte.
Who Has Custody Of Stephen And Mel B kids?
Stephen Belafonte has the custody right to their daughter, Giselle, who is 19-year-old as of 2024.
