Update:  Gloria Allred

Originally posted Aug. 3: Eddie Murphy is refuting assertions by Melanie Brown that their 4-month-old daughter Angel Iris was "completely" planned, as well as claims by Melanie that Eddie has failed to pay "one penny" of child support in the wake of a DNA test confirming the baby’s paternity.

Eddie Murphy always has and will continue to honor his responsibilities as a father. Mr. Murphy and Ms. Brown dated very briefly and never made any plans of ANY sort. He acknowledges paternity of the child Angel, and has paid child support to Ms. Brown as well as covering the expenses of her pregnancy.

The statement, issued this afternoon, comes on the heels of a press conference held by Melanie and her attorney Gloria Allred on Wednesday.  Eddie said that he views the issue of child support for Angel Iris "as a private matter" and the actor "will not be making any further comments about it."

Sources:  The Insider, Metro

Melanie Brown

He’s not doing a DNA test and he’s not signing the birth certificate. So it’s going to have to go to court so hecan be forced to do it, which is strange since he was the one askingfor it.

I just think no woman should have to go through that and no baby shouldhave to go through that. Be responsible. What else can you say? I feel great! I’m happy. I was a happy pregnant woman and now I’m ahappy new mom. Life goes on, and I have two beautiful children.

Mel elaborates to EXTRA, saying,

I don’t know what happened and I still don’t know what happened…we had a few little disagreements and things that we were working though, but I didn’t think for one second it was completely over…my main thing now is I want him to be a responsible parent.

This baby was planned and he knows it’s his…this is what’s mind-boggling. Angel can’t speak, she can’t defend herself…and I’ve got a situation where I’m dealing with a father who won’t do a DNA test, who won’t sign the birth certificate.  So, now I have to go through lawyers and I think it’s really sad. I’m not quite sure, but I don’t think it’s a very good representation for a black father in 2007.

Be responsible…as simple as that! It takes two people to make a baby.  It takes two parents to be responsible for a baby. I’ve got no bad feelings.  I feel sorry that this baby isn’t seeing her dad and isn’t having the beautiful contact…I just want to get a move on and I just think it’s disappointing that it’s ended like this, so publicly.

Source: People and EXTRA.

Other sites have reported the name to be Nadine Bibi – however, that’s Melanie’s publicist’s name, not her daughter’s.

Update April 6th: Brit tab The Mirror reports that the baby’s name may be Fortuna Daphne Bay. The Mirror also reports that older daughter Phoenix Chi, 8, brought mom Cadbury chocolates to eat while she nurses the baby!

Originally posted April 3rd:Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (aka Scary Spice) welcomed her second daughter early this morning. The baby girl, who has yet to be named, was born at 12:11am at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica. Baby Brown weighed in at 5 lbs, 4 oz and is 18 inches long.

According to her publicist,

Mel had driven herself to hospital after experiencing initialcontractions and breakage of waters at home. The birth was straightforward and withoutcomplication. The baby is completely healthy with a good head of hair. No name has been decided on yet, and she is purely known as Baby Brown.

Melanie’s mother and daughter, Phoenix Chi, 8, from her marriage to Jimmy Gulzar, were present at the birth. Melanie’s mother said,

She is looking forward to catching up on some sleep. Both mother and baby are expected to leave the hospital in the next few days and are looking forward to going back home.

A friend told US Weekly that,

It was an easy birth. The baby’s light-skinned and beautiful. Mel is thrilled!

Eddie Murphy is said to be the father of the little girl, but he disputes this claim. The baby was born on his 46th . The same source tells Us that,

Mel said, ‘He can read about it.’ The baby being born on his is purely coincidence – Mel had anatural birth, not a Cesarean section.

Source: Extra, News.com.au and PEOPLE

Thanks to CBB readers Jade, Michelle, Steffi and Katherine.

He’s definitely been named on the birth certificate.

Her rep tells Extra,

Yes it is correct. Eddie is down as the father.

Melanie and Eddie have been at odds over the paternity of Melanie’s infant since she announced her pregnancy.  The former pop star has insisted that Eddie is her baby’s father, while he has publicly said the baby ‘could be anyone’s.’ Friends say Melanie does want Eddie to step up and take responsibility, but doesn’t want the funnyman to be present in her or her baby’s life. The friend adds,

She doesn’t want him involved because he has hurt her too much. She just feels that he will have to accept responsibility at some point and there was no need for him to be so dismissive of their relationship.

Source: Mirror & People

Thanks to CBB readers Michelle and Mary Beth.

Geri [Halliwell] lives near me now, so Emma [Bunton] and I spent the day with her and Bluebell [10 months] recently. Geri is just really enjoying motherhood and is happy doing that. Meanwhile, Emma is a glowing mum-to-be! We’re all in our 30s now so it’s a natural time to be focusing on family.

Still, although she would love to have children, Sporty Spice says she’s concentrating on her career for the time being.

I definitely want to be a mum and I’d like more than one child. At the moment my priority is my music, but I’m already 33, so I’d better get cracking!

While Mel is still close with Geri, Emma and Victoria Beckham, she has lost touch with Mel B, who is expecting her second child, and was not aware of Scary Spice’s paternity battle with Eddie Murphy. The two would get a chance to catch up should there be a Spice Girls reunion, but Mel doubts that would happen any time soon.

With the impending babies, family is the priority in Spice World right now! A one-off gig would be ideal, but we haven’t had any offers yet.

Source: The Metro

Source: PEOPLE

Best Actress in a Motion Picture
- Kate Winslet for Little Children – mom to daughter Mia, 6, and son Joe, 3.
-Judi Dench for Notes on a Scandal – mom to daughter Tara, aka finty, 34.

- Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada – mom to son Henry, 27, and daughters Mary, 23, Grace, 20, and Louisa, 15.                                                                                                                                         

Best Actor in a Motion Picture
- Will Smith for The Pursuit of Happyness – dad to son Trey, 14, son Jaden, 8, and daughter Willow, 5.
- Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland – dad to son Ocean, 16, daughters Sonnet, 10, and True, 8, and stepdad to Autumn, 15.
- Peter O’Toole for Venus– dad to daughters Kate, 45, and Pat and son Lorcan.

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
- Cate Blanchett for Babel – mom to sons Dashiell, 5, and Roman, 2 ½.

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
- Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine – dad to sons Adam, 50, Matthew, 47, and Anthony, 29.
- Eddie Murphy for Dreamgirls – dad to daughter Bria, 17, sons Christian, 15, and Myles, 14, and daughters Shayne, 12, Zola, 6 ½, and Bella, 4 ½. Believed to be father of Mel B’s baby, due in late spring.
- Jackie Earle Haley for Little Children – dad to son Christopher, 20, and daughter Olivia, 8.
- Mark Wahlberg for The Departed – dad to daughter Ella, 3, and son Michael, 10 months.

Source: OscarWatch

She told waiting photogs, "I’m feeling great – I couldn’t be happier, and I’m really looking forward to the baby."

While being interviewed by Dutch TV over the weekend, Eddie was asked if he and Melanie were excited about the baby. He responded, "You’re being presumptuous, because we’re not together anymore. And I don’t know whose child that is, until it comes out and has a blood test. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, sir." Yikes! It was just announced that he’s been dating Babyface’s ex-wife Tracey for about 6 weeks.

Source: Crunk and Disorderly and TMZ.

Thanks to CBB reader Veronique.