In a startling revelation regarding Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope’s recent separation, an exclusive source has shed light on infidelity as a major contributor to their marital breakdown.
According to the source, the couple’s decision to part ways was influenced significantly by Lawrence’s alleged affair with Melina Alves, a writer and co-star in his forthcoming film, Sock It In For Christmas. The source claims that Lawrence, 48, and Alves met on the set where Alves was a producer. Reports suggest that Lawrence’s behavior towards Alves mirrored his past actions with Cope, described as “love-bombing.” Despite Cope’s confrontation and attempts to salvage their relationship, Lawrence continued his involvement with Alves.
The source further alleges that during a period when Cope, 37, sought counseling to address their issues, Lawrence was allegedly deceitful, preparing for dates with Alves while Cope suffered at home.
Compounding the drama, TMZ reported on August 22 that Edward Rider, Alves’ estranged husband, discovered the affair in late March. Rider’s divorce petition, filed in July, revealed that Alves and Lawrence’s relationship extended beyond California, where the film was being shot. The filings suggest that the affair involved multiple instances and locations.
Attempts to reach representatives for Lawrence, Cope, Alves, and Rider for comments have so far been unsuccessful.
Lawrence and Cope, who met while working on Lifetime’s My Husband’s Secret Brother in 2021 and married in May 2022, officially announced their separation on August 20. According to the divorce documents, Cope cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. She filed for divorce on August 13, with their separation date listed as June 7, 2024. Cope has requested no spousal support and full physical custody of their 19-month-old daughter, Dylan, while allowing Lawrence visitation rights.
Cope’s filing specifies that Dylan should not be in the presence of non-family members during visits with Lawrence unless mutually agreed upon.
The separation rumors began when Lawrence was spotted without his wedding ring during a family vacation to Jamaica in August, with Cope notably absent from the photos. Lawrence and his brothers, Matthew and Andrew, along with their family, had described the trip as a “vacation of a lifetime.”