Joey Lawrence has addressed his divorce from Samantha Cope for the first time publicly since she filed for divorce.
The actor and singer, known for his roles in “Blossom” and “Melissa & Joey,” shared his thoughts on their separation, expressing a mix of emotions.
He acknowledged the challenging nature of the situation and emphasized the importance of maintaining privacy and respect during this difficult time.
Lawrence and Cope, who got married in 2022, have been dealing with personal issues leading up to this decision.
While Lawrence has not divulged specific details, his statement reflects a desire to handle the matter with maturity and care, especially for their family and loved ones.
More than a week after Samantha Cope filed for divorce on August 20, Joey Lawrence, 48, has broken his silence about their separation after two years of marriage.
Joey Lawrence spoke about their decision to part ways, acknowledging the challenges of their breakup and the importance of moving forward respectfully.
In his statement, Lawrence also addressed the allegations of an affair with his “Socked In for Christmas” co-star, Melina Alves.
He denied any wrongdoing, stating that his relationship with Alves is strictly professional and that the rumours have been hurtful to all parties involved.
He emphasized that the allegations are baseless and have added unnecessary strain to an already difficult situation.
Joey expressed his focus on healing and moving forward while maintaining respect for his family and those affected by the rumours.
“With a deep sense of responsibility, I want to respond to the recent allegations surrounding my personal life, including my divorce and the claims of an affair with Melina Alves,” he began in a statement on Instagram.
“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 continued.
“Our bond was based on shared experiences and an understanding of the challenges we were both facing in our personal lives.”
Lawrence noted that he met Alves amid his “deeply troubled marriage” to Cope, adding,
“I was clinging to hope that I could save a relationship that, in my heart, I knew was beyond saving. My short-lived marriage was fraught with difficulties from the beginning. Our differences became insurmountable.”
“As a father, my three daughters are my world. They are, and always will be, my top priority,” he said.
“The unraveling of my marriage was tied to my realization that there is no way my two eldest daughters were ever going to be accepted by my wife to be part of my family. I cannot and will not compromise on the love and care that my daughters deserve, and this realization played a significant role in the breakdown of my relationship.”
“I understand that my life is often in the public eye, and with that comes a level of scrutiny that can be difficult to bear,” he added.
“However, I must emphasize that the well-being of my children is of the utmost importance.”
He concluded the statement by thanking fans for their “understanding and respect.”
In a statement of her own, Cope said:
“As a mother who values her daughter above all else, I find these false accusations deeply troubling.”
“I am confident that the truth is known to me, to Joey, and to God,” she added. “I am choosing to put my focus on healing, caring for my daughter, and processing the loss of my marriage and my family.”
Joey Lawrence and his estranged wife Samantha Cope are divorcing after two years of marriage, with Cope citing irreconcilable differences in her filing.
She submitted the paperwork on August 13, two months after their separation date of June 7, 2024, and requested full physical custody of their 19-month-old daughter, Dylan, while allowing Lawrence visitation at her discretion and blocking spousal support for both sides.
Amid the divorce, rumours of an affair between Lawrence and his Socked In for Christmas co-star, Melina Alves, emerged. Alves denied having a “sexual relationship” with Lawrence, stating their relationship started as a “meaningful friendship.”
Lawrence echoed this sentiment in his statement, denying any affair and emphasizing that the rumours are unfounded.
Another source later told that Lawrence and Cope’s separation helped improve the actor’s relationship with his loved ones and mend his coparenting relationship with Nelson.
“Once they split, things got exponentially better between him and his ex wife and their girls,” the source said of Lawrence.
“Joey’s strong and strong in his faith so he’s trying to take it all in stride, but he is very disappointed and upset at how all of this has turned out.”
