When people think of the popular ’90s sitcom Martin or The Cosby Show, they often remember actor Carl Anthony Payne II. But behind this well-loved actor is a woman who has been by his side for over 30 years — Melika Payne.
Melika isn’t a Hollywood star or a big name in the entertainment world. But she has quietly built a strong life filled with love, family, and strength. She is also known as the mother of Landon Brown, the son she had with R&B singer Bobby Brown before marrying Carl.
In this article, we’ll explore who Melika Payne really is. From her early days in Los Angeles to her life as a young mom, her marriage to Carl, and her quiet but powerful role in their long-lasting family — here’s the full story.
Melika Payne Quick Bio
|
|
| Full Name |
Melika Michem Williams Payne |
| Date of Birth |
April 10, 1969 |
| Age (2025) |
56 years old |
| Birthplace |
Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality |
American |
| Ethnicity |
African-American |
| Marital Status |
Married |
| Husband |
Carl Anthony Payne II (since 1992) |
| Former Partner |
Bobby Brown (1980s) |
| Children |
4 (including Landon Brown, Malek, Carl III) |
| Residence |
Northridge, California, USA |
| Profession |
Boutique owner, former sales associate |
| Business Name |
Feisty Boutique |
| Net Worth (Est.) |
~$1 million |
| Known For |
Wife of Carl Payne, mother of Landon Brown |
| Social Media |
Private Instagram (@mmwill10) |
Melika Payne’s Early Life and Background
Melika Payne was born on April 10, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. That means she is 56 years old as of 2025. She grew up in a city full of movie stars, studios, and music. It’s a place where dreams are big, and many people try to become famous. But Melika’s story is different.
Even though she lived in Los Angeles, she didn’t chase fame. Instead, she focused on learning and dreaming about the arts. She loved performing and later studied Theater Arts. This shows that she had a creative side and maybe once thought about being on stage herself.
But life had other plans for her — plans that would test her strength early on.
Becoming a Young Mom at 17
Melika’s life changed in a big way when she became a mom at just 17 years old. At that time, she was in a relationship with a young and rising singer — Bobby Brown. They were both very young when they started dating in 1984, and just two years later, in 1986, Melika gave birth to her son, Landon Brown.
Becoming a mom so young isn’t easy. Many teens are still in school and figuring out life. But Melika stepped up. She stayed strong and focused on giving her son a good life. She didn’t run to the media or try to make her life a big public story. Instead, she quietly worked hard to raise Landon with care and love.
Even though she became a mom early, Melika never gave up on herself or her dreams. That shows real strength.
Melika Payne and Bobby Brown’s Relationship
Before Carl Anthony Payne came into her life, Melika had a serious relationship with Bobby Brown, who later became famous for his music and for marrying Whitney Houston.
Melika and Bobby’s relationship started when they were both teenagers. It wasn’t just a quick fling — they were together for several years, and their son, Landon, was born in 1986. But like many young couples, things didn’t last forever. They broke up in 1987, only a year after Landon was born.
What’s important is how they handled the breakup. Instead of fighting or creating drama, they both stayed in Landon’s life. They co-parented and made sure their son had love from both parents. Bobby remained active in Landon’s life, and Melika never stood in the way of that. That’s something many families can learn from — working together even after things don’t go as planned.
Landon Brown: Melika Payne’s First Son
Landon Brown, Melika’s first son, was born on June 22, 1986. He had a childhood that many people would dream of. With Bobby Brown as his dad, Landon got to travel the world, meet celebrities, and enjoy exciting adventures.
Landon once shared that his dad took him to different countries when he was just a kid. He even celebrated his 7th birthday in Japan! But his mom, Melika, gave him something even more important — stability, love, and support.
After Melika married Carl, Landon gained something else too — a second father figure. Carl treated him like his own son. Landon started calling Carl his “other dad,” showing how close they became. Today, Landon works in both music and acting, just like his dad and stepdad. It’s clear that Melika helped guide him with love and care through every step.
How Melika Payne Met Carl Anthony Payne II
In 1992, something special happened in Melika’s life — she met Carl Anthony Payne II, the actor who played “Cole” on Martin and “Cockroach” on The Cosby Show.
By that time, Carl was already a TV star. But Melika didn’t fall for his fame. She saw the person behind the character — someone kind, funny, and full of love. The two quickly clicked. Just four months after meeting, they decided to get married. It was a fast decision, but one that changed both their lives forever.
Carl not only became her husband — he also became a loving stepfather to Landon. He stepped into the role with care and respect. Their story wasn’t about flashing lights or red carpets. It was about building a real family.
Melika and Carl’s Long Hollywood Marriage
In Hollywood, long marriages are rare. But Melika and Carl have been together for over 32 years as of 2025. That’s a huge deal — especially for a couple who’s spent time around fame, travel, and public attention.
Their marriage hasn’t always been perfect. Like any couple, they’ve had their hard times. But what makes their story special is how they stayed together through it all. They focused on their love, their children, and their shared life. Carl often shares posts thanking Melika for her support, calling her “the mother of our four amazing sons.”
Together, they’ve built a family full of love and respect. And even when things got tough, they didn’t give up on each other.
The Divorce That Almost Happened
Even strong couples go through tough times, and that’s what happened to Melika Payne and Carl around 2012. After being married for 20 years, Melika filed for divorce. She said there were “irreconcilable differences” and asked for custody of their children.
This moment shocked many people who admired their love story. It looked like the end of their long journey together. But something beautiful happened — instead of walking away, they chose to work things out. Melika later withdrew the divorce papers, and the two decided to stay together.
Carl later shared a smart piece of advice in an interview. He said, “You have to learn how to fight.” He meant that couples should learn how to talk, listen, and grow — even when they disagree. That lesson helped save their marriage and made their bond stronger than before.
Melika Payne’s Children and Family Life
Together, Melika and Carl have a blended family of four sons. This includes Landon Brown, Melika’s son with Bobby Brown, and two more sons she shares with Carl: Malek Payne and Carl Anthony Payne III. One more son is believed to be part of the family, though not much is shared about him publicly.
Raising kids is not easy — especially in the world of TV and fame. But Melika has always put her children first. She gave them a safe, loving home and taught them good values. Carl often posts about how proud he is of their kids and thanks Melika for being such a great mom.
One of their sons, Malek, even worked with Carl on a movie set. That shows how close the family is and how Melika and Carl supported their children’s dreams, just like they supported each other.
Melika Payne’s Career and Business Life
While many people know Melika as Carl’s wife, she’s also a hardworking woman in her own right. For nearly 20 years, Melika worked at a company called Health Net. That shows she always had a strong work ethic, even while raising her kids.
But she didn’t stop there. Today, Melika owns a small fashion business called Feisty Boutique. It’s her own brand, and she runs it with passion and love. Her boutique shows that she has style, vision, and business skills.
Even though she’s not in the spotlight, Melika found ways to do what she loves while also caring for her family. She’s a great example of how a woman can wear many hats — wife, mom, business owner, and more.
Where Is Melika Payne Today?
As of 2025, Melika Payne lives in Northridge, California, with her family. She doesn’t appear in the news or go to many public events, but she seems happy living a quiet, peaceful life.
She enjoys simple things, like bike riding and staying active. These are the things that keep her happy and healthy. Even though her husband is famous, Melika prefers to stay behind the scenes. That’s what makes her story even more special.
Many people admire her for choosing a life full of love and meaning over fame or attention.
Does Melika Payne Use Social Media?
In today’s world, it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t share every moment online. But Melika Payne is different. She has a private Instagram account (@mmwill10), and she hasn’t been active on Facebook for years.
She chooses to stay off social media because she values privacy. She would rather spend time with her family than post about it online. And that’s something many people admire.
While fans might be curious about her daily life, Melika believes in keeping some things just for herself — and that’s perfectly okay.
Why Melika Payne’s Story Inspires So Many
Melika Payne’s story is not just about being married to a TV star. It’s about being strong, kind, and true to yourself. She became a mom at 17, faced ups and downs in love, and still built a great life full of love and purpose.
Her long marriage, her work as a mom, and her quiet strength all show that success doesn’t have to be loud. Melika teaches us that real happiness comes from family, love, and staying grounded.
She might not be on magazine covers, but her story touches people’s hearts. She’s a reminder that behind every great man, there can be an amazing woman — strong, calm, and full of love.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the full story of Melika Payne — the woman who has stood beside Carl Anthony Payne II for over 30 years. From her early days as a teenage mom to her life as a wife, mother, and business owner, Melika’s journey is full of quiet strength and lasting love.
She didn’t chase fame. She chased what matters: family, peace, and happiness. That’s why her story matters — and why it deserves to be told.
(FAQs)
Did Melika Payne really have a child with Bobby Brown?
Yes! At just 17 years old, Melika had a son, Landon Brown, with R&B star Bobby Brown before marrying Carl Payne.
Did Melika Payne try to divorce Carl Payne?
Surprisingly, yes. In 2012, Melika filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage — but later changed her mind and they got back together.
Is Landon Brown close with both his dads?
Absolutely! Landon calls Carl his “other dad” and shares a strong bond with both Carl Payne and Bobby Brown.
Does Melika Payne work or just stay home?
Melika isn’t just a celebrity wife — she worked nearly 20 years in sales and now owns her own fashion business called Feisty Boutique.
Is Melika Payne active on social media?
Not at all. Her Instagram is private, and she avoids the spotlight — very rare for someone tied to two celebrities!
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