Joey Lawrence denies affair rumors with costar, reveals real reason why marriage with Samantha Cope ended

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Joey Lawrence is speaking candidly about the emotional turmoil surrounding his recent divorce, following allegations of an extramarital affair.

In an interview on the 'Brotherly Love' podcast, Lawrence acknowledged the public scrutiny of his private life and expressed his sadness over how the situation has impacted his family, as reported by Fox News.com.

Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope's divorce takes new turn amid public feud

"There’s a lot of speculation… it’s out there," Lawrence shared on the podcast. "What was a private journey for my family… has now unfortunately been made public… that makes me very sad for my children."

Lawrence who is currently in the midst of a divorce from Samantha Cope, addressed the rumors of an affair with co-star Melina Alves.

"I try to protect my children at all costs, and what’s been going on lately is just not okay," he added. "This has been a multifaceted journey these last four… five years. Actually, there was a lot of pain involved in that journey despite what it looks like and what the public perception of it is."

"What’s going on right now, there’s so many things that are just not true."

Alves also refuted the allegations on social media, emphasizing there was no sexual relationship between them during the filming of their project 'Socked in for Christmas'.

"First and foremost, I want to clarify that there was no sexual relationship between Joey and myself while we were on set filming ‘Socked in for Christmas,’" Alves wrote on Instagram.

Following speculation about an affair during his divorce, Lawrence has acknowledged that he is working to move past the accusations and focus on moving forward. Amidst the controversy, Lawrence has emphasized his commitment to his children. "Life will move on and we will move through this. And my children will be at the forefront," he stated.

Lawrence, who has three children including a daughter with Cope, reiterated his dedication to being a supportive father.

"I have always and will always be the best dad I possibly can be and I will take care of my girls until the day I die… I will cherish them and honor them… do my best by them," he said.

"I'm not perfect but I will do my best by them for sure."

Lawrence wrapped up his podcast remarks by stating, "Just try to understand that it’s such a private journey… we’re just going to do the best we can."

"And I'll make sure that the best is done by Dylan, obviously like I have for daughters Charlie and Libby. That’s the most important thing."

People reported that the day before the podcast's release, Cope issued a statement to the media following Lawrence's remarks about their "deeply troubled marriage" and his claims on Instagram that his daughters, Charleston and Liberty, were not welcomed by the actress.

"I am deeply troubled by these false accusations," Cope said in a statement. "The truth is known to me, to Joey, and to God." She expressed a strong focus on her daughter, stating, "I am choosing to put my focus on healing, caring for my daughter, and processing the loss of my marriage and my family."

Lawrence, who has three children in total, shares two daughters, Charleston and Liberty, with his former spouse Chandie Lawrence.

Cope is seeking full physical custody of their daughter Dylan, while allowing Lawrence visitation rights at her discretion. Additionally, Cope has requested that the court not award spousal support to either party.

Who Is Samantha Cope? A closer look at Joey Lawrence's estranged wife

As Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope's marriage comes to an end, many are curious about the actress behind the headlines. Cope, who filed for divorce from Lawrence in August 2024, has been a notable figure in her own right, balancing a career in acting with a deep passion for animal advocacy.

Samantha Cope, a familiar face from TV movies and series, first met Lawrence on the set of the Lifetime film 'My Husband's Secret Brother'.

Their professional collaboration quickly turned personal, leading to their marriage in May 2022 and the birth of their daughter, Dylan Rose, in January 2023. Despite their publicized romance, the couple's relationship faced challenges, including alleged infidelity that contributed to their split.

Cope's acting career includes roles in popular TV series and films. She has appeared in 'The Lake', 'Private', and 'Insecure', as well as guest spots on 'Rizzoli & Isles', 'Master of None', and 'NCIS: Los Angeles'. Her filmography extends to projects like 'Revenge for Daddy' and 'An Organized Killer.'

Beyond her screen work, Cope is known for her dedication to animal rescue. She volunteers at Big Heart Ranch in Malibu, California, and is involved in rehabilitating shelter animals.

Joey Lawrence speaks out about 'pain' in marriage, Internet weighs in

Joey Lawrence’s recent comments about the challenges in his marriage to his estranged wife, Samantha Cope, have sparked a wave of reactions online. 

The Internet was quick to react to Lawrence’s revelations.

One user expressed disbelief, writing, "A woman hating children is wild," while another offered sympathy: "I'm sorry you felt you had to choose between your wife and your children. I'm also sorry that people feel the need to be putting their nose in your personal life."

Some users praised Lawrence for prioritizing his children’s well-being. "YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!!!", one commenter wrote, "You have to protect your babies. They cannot be in an environment without love and acceptance from all parents and stepparents. Those girls have a great dad!"

However, not everyone was entirely supportive. One commenter pointed out the timing of Lawrence’s statements, suggesting a possible narrative at play: "It’s the way you both declared 'while filming' for me. There’s a twisted narrative here. But I digress, because it’s none of our business."

Another urged Lawrence not to engage in public mudslinging, "My hope is that you don’t drag Sam through the mud to save face and vice versa."

"This is the first I’ve heard of this 'rumor,' but sounds like you’re guilty if you’re addressing it," one user noted.

Yet, others praised him for setting a strong example for his daughters. "Bravo. You just taught your daughters to never accept less than they deserve. We need more of that in this world."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.