Joey Lawrence’s estranged wife Samantha Cope breaks silence after divorce filing: ‘Don’t be afraid of the tears’
Joey Lawrence’s estranged wife Samantha Cope has spoken out for the first time since filing for divorce from the actor on August 13.
“An amazing friend of mine recently told me ‘Don’t be afraid of tears. Let them flow. Because every tear is God gently squeezing the pain and devastation out of your heart to make room for new beautiful feelings,'” she captioned an Instagram Reel on Saturday.
Adding some humor to the inspirational post, he wrote, “She also reminded me: ‘The more you cry, the less you pee.'”
“So let them flow. You can do this. 🩵🙏🏻.”
The video features several clips of Cope, 37, spending time with her and Lawrence’s one-year-old daughter, Dylan Rose. Matching the message of the post, she also added a few clips of herself crying.
It was narrated through a poignant voice that said, “Look at yourself, look how far you’ve come.”
“You’ve faced your trauma, and you’ve gotten through it. And I’m sorry for getting a little emotional.”
“But there were times when I was very worried about you, Miss Girl. But look at you today. I am so proud of you. You are a living child.”
Though Cope didn’t directly mention his divorce, it’s been a tumultuous week for him.
On Thursday, the 48-year-old “Melissa & Joey” star was accused of having an affair with his “Socked In for Christmas” co-star Melina Alves.
Elwes’ husband, Edward Ryder, filed for divorce and in his court documents accused her of sleeping with Lawrence. He claimed he found out about her extramarital affair in March.
“Joey met Melina Alves on the set of his movie, where she was a producer,” a source claimed to People Friday.
“He then drowned her in love, just as he drowned Samantha. Even after Samantha found out about this and confronted him, he continued to date Melina.”
Additionally, the insider alleged that Lawrence “prepared for a date with Melina while Sam watched and burst into tears.”
Cope and Lawrence got together in 2021 after meeting on the set of Lifetime’s “My Husband’s Secret Brother.”
They tied the knot in May 2022 and their daughter was born in January 2023.
The actress cited mutual differences as the reason for their separation and stated the date of separation as June 7.
On June 11, he shared a cryptic message on Instagram, writing, “Not everything you lose is loss. Some things are freedom.”
Cope is seeking full physical custody of her daughter and has requested that Lawrence only be allowed to visit her at his own discretion.
They also demanded that Dylan be barred from taking her with him for long periods of time until she was older.
“When Dylan reaches 3 or older, Joe will have the option of taking her to his home for 2 nights if he is not working and can facilitate visitation,” her filing reads.
“He will not keep her with him for a long period of time until she is old enough to specifically ask for a visitation time and all parties are agreeable and able to facilitate.”
Lawrence has not responded to the divorce petition as of Saturday evening.
