Joey Lawrence ‘love-bombed’ Alleged Mistress Prior to Samantha Cope Divorce: Report

Joey Lawrence allegedly bombarded his co-star Melina Alves with adoration and affection, hoping to make her fall for him, even though they were both married to other people, a source told People on Friday.

“Joey met Melina Alves on the set of their movie, where she was a producer,” an insider shared. “He then love-bombed her just like he did with Samantha [Cope].”

According to WebMD, love-bombing is an emotional manipulation technique involving excessive compliments, attention, or affection to control the recipient over time.

On August 13, Cope, 37, filed for divorce from Lawrence, 48, after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. Less than two weeks later, it was revealed that Alves’ estranged husband, Edward Rider, accused the “Brotherly Love” alum of having an affair with Alves in his divorce filing.

Documents filed in July reveal that Rider discovered in March that Lawrence and Alves, who met on the set of their upcoming “Socked in for Christmas” movie, allegedly had a sexual relationship. The husband reportedly believed the hookups occurred in California at various times and places.

Representatives for Lawrence and Alves have not responded to multiple requests for comment. The actors have also stayed silent on social media regarding the cheating allegations.

People’s source claimed that even after Cope discovered the affair and confronted Lawrence about it, the “Blossom” star “continued to date Melina.”

The “Deadly Deed” actress reportedly wanted to go to counseling, but the insider says Lawrence “fooled their counselor” and continued his affair despite the therapy.

The source revealed that the father of three would “get ready for dates with Melina while Sam watched, bawling her eyes out.” Cope, who shares a 1-year-old daughter, Dylan Rose, with Lawrence, is now seeking primary physical custody of their child but no spousal support.

Leading up to the announcement of their split, Cope posted a cryptic message on Instagram, stating, “Not everything you lose is a loss. Some things are a freedom.”

Lawrence and Cope got married in May 2022. They met on the set of Lifetime’s “My Husband’s Secret Brother” and were engaged by August 2021, before his divorce from Chandie Yawn-Nelson was finalized. Lawrence also shares two teen daughters, Charleston, 18, and Liberty, 14, with Yawn-Nelson, his second wife. He was previously married to Michelle Vella.

Source: People