Melina Alves sets the record straight on recent rumors linking her to co-star, Joey Lawrence. On August 28, 2024, the actress took to her Instagram to rigidly deny any involvement in an extramarital affair.

The allegations against Alves surfaced amidst Lawrence’s ongoing divorce with his wife, Samantha Cope. The cheating rumors added more fuel to the already messy situation. Therefore, in her statement, Melina clearly clarified the nature of her relationship with Lawrence. She wrote,

“First and foremost, I want to clarify that there was no sexual relationship between Joey and myself… Our relationship was a meaningful friendship that developed naturally due to the many similarities in our personal situations…”

The Until Forever star further shared her first impressions of meeting Joey and explained the foundation of their close friendship. She revealed,

“When I met Joey, I was immediately struck by his kindness, warmth, and genuine character. We found common ground in our shared experiences, which led to a strong , supportive friendship that has been a source of strength for both of us”. 

Melina Alves’ Estranged Husband First Sparked the Cheating Rumors

A day after Cope filed for divorce from Lawrence, Melina’s estranged husband, Edward Rider, followed suit by accusing her of adultery and filing for divorce. These accusations ignited a firestorm of rumors and public backlash against both Melina and Joey. 

Rider claimed to have discovered his wife’s infidelity with her co-star during the filming of their upcoming movie, Socked In For Christmas, in March 2024. He further hinted that this affair may have contributed to Joey’s own marital breakdown.

However, in her Instagram post, alongwith denying the affair rumors, Melina also shed light on her deteriorating marriage with Edward. She revealed that the couple had been living separately since January 2023. She added,

“Our marriage had been struggling for some time, and the separation was a necessary step for both of us… Joey… has been unjustly dragged into this situation”. 

Melina Alves and Joey Lawrence first met on the set of the film, Socked In For Christmas. They soon struck a close friendship with each other following their joint work. 

Fans Remain Unconvinced Of Melina’s Affair Denial Statement

Despite Melina’s strong denial, many fans remain skeptical about her involvement in an affair as her husband claims. Some netizens downright called her a liar and harshly voiced their frustration. Such comments read,

“She’s lying… She also sadly cheated on her first husband…”

“… morally wrong. They should have left it alone until they were both officially out of their respective relationships”.

“She didn’t want anyone to find out she was having an affair with a married man. Doesn’t matter if sexual or not! he’s married back off. Shame on both of them”.

As the drama unfolds, only time will tell whether Melina can successfully clear her name and quell the growing skepticism surrounding her involvement in the affair.