Who Is Melika Payne? Meet the Wife of Carl Anthony Payne II and Mom of Landon Brown

Sometimes, the most interesting stories come from people who don’t always stand in the spotlight. One of those people is Melika Payne.

You may know her as the wife of actor Carl Anthony Payne II, the star of hit shows like Martin and The Cosby Show. But there’s so much more to her. She’s also the mother of singer Landon Brown, and her life connects two big names in entertainment — Bobby Brown and Carl Payne.

In this article, we’ll explore Melika’s life — her early years, her relationships, her role as a mom and wife, and how she’s quietly held a place in Hollywood without needing the fame herself.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Melika Payne Quick Bio

Who Is Melika Payne?

Melika Payne is an American woman who became known through her close ties to the entertainment world. She’s married to Carl Anthony Payne II, the actor best known for playing Cole in Martin. Before that, she had a relationship with R&B singer Bobby Brown, and together they had a son, Landon Brown.

Even though Melika stays out of the spotlight, people are curious about her because of the famous people in her life. But Melika has her own story — one that’s full of love, family, and strength.

She’s not an actress or singer, but she’s a strong woman who has quietly supported her family for decades.

Melika Payne’s Early Life and Background

Melika was born Melika Michem Williams on April 10, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. That makes her 56 years old as of 2025. She grew up in the United States and is proudly African-American.

Not much is known about her childhood or early education. However, some sources suggest that she studied theatre arts, which might explain her small connection to acting later in life.

While she has lived a quiet life, Melika’s early years set the stage for a journey that would link her with some of the most talked-about names in pop culture.

Melika and Bobby Brown’s Relationship

Back in the 1980s, when Bobby Brown was rising as a young music star, Melika began dating him. Their relationship started around 1984 when Melika was still a teenager. In 1986, at the age of 17, she gave birth to their son, Landon Brown.

Sadly, the relationship didn’t last. Melika and Bobby broke up in 1987, but they agreed to co-parent their son. Even after the breakup, Bobby stayed involved in Landon’s life, often taking him on trips and showing him the world of music and entertainment.

Though their love story ended, Melika and Bobby stayed on good terms for the sake of their son — a mature and loving choice that helped shape Landon’s life.

Landon Brown, Melika’s Son with Bobby Brown

Landon Brown, born June 22, 1986, is Melika’s first child. He followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the world of music and entertainment. He’s a singer, actor, and performer with his own career path.

Landon has often shared how close he is to his mother. In one sweet post from 2012, he even joked that people always say he doesn’t look like Bobby — and he proudly showed a photo of himself with Melika, saying, “Now you know why.”

But Landon didn’t just grow up with Bobby. He also grew up with another strong father figure — Carl Anthony Payne II — who raised him like his own.

By the age of six, Landon was already calling Carl his “other dad.” That’s the kind of love and support Melika helped create for her son.

Melika Payne and Carl Anthony Payne II’s Love Story

After her relationship with Bobby Brown ended, Melika met someone new — and very important — in her life. She met Carl Anthony Payne II, the actor who would go on to star in Martin.

Interestingly, they met in 1986, during a cameo appearance in one of Bobby Brown’s music videos, Girl Next Door. Carl and Melika crossed paths and stayed in touch. Then, after a few years, their connection grew stronger.

They got married in 1992, the same year Bobby Brown married Whitney Houston. Since then, Melika and Carl have been together for more than three decades.

Like all couples, they’ve had ups and downs. But their love story is about growth, patience, and learning how to stick together, even when things get tough.

Melika Payne’s Children and Family Life

Melika is the mother of four children, including Landon. After marrying Carl, they had three sons together. Two of them are publicly known: Malek Payne and Carl Anthony Payne III.

Carl has often shared how proud he is of his wife and family. In a 2019 Instagram post, he called her “the mother of our 4 amazing sons” and thanked her for holding him down for over 25 years.

Melika and Carl raised their kids with love and care, keeping them mostly out of the spotlight. What makes their family story even more special is how Carl stepped in to help raise Landon, making their home one filled with unity, not division.

Their story shows how love can build a strong family, even when life is complicated.

Where Does Melika Payne Live?

As of 2025, Melika Payne and her family live in Northridge, California, in a quiet neighborhood in Los Angeles.

They bought their home back in 2003 for around $630,500. The house has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and is over 2,400 square feet. Today, it’s estimated to be worth $1.38 million.

It’s a peaceful home, far away from the busy lights of Hollywood. This private lifestyle fits Melika perfectly — she enjoys staying out of the spotlight while focusing on her loved ones.

Did Melika Payne Ever Work in Acting?

Even though Melika Payne is not a celebrity in the traditional sense, she does have a small acting credit. According to her IMDb profile, she played a character named Donna in a 2003 film called Swirl. That’s the only acting role known to the public.

There isn’t much more information about her acting work, and it seems like she didn’t pursue a full-time career in Hollywood. Still, it’s interesting to know she had at least one role in a film, especially since she once studied theatre arts.

This small detail shows that Melika has always had some connection to the world of entertainment — even beyond being married to Carl Anthony Payne II and raising Landon Brown.

Melika Payne’s Divorce Filing and Reconciliation

Like many couples, Melika Payne and Carl Anthony Payne II faced tough times. In 2012, Melika filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage. The news was made public in 2014, and she asked for sole physical custody and joint legal custody of their kids. She also requested spousal support.

At the time, it looked like their long relationship was coming to an end. But love had other plans. Before the divorce was finalized, Melika decided to withdraw the petition. The couple worked through their issues and chose to stay together.

This shows how committed they are to their family. Even during hard times, they found a way back to each other.

Carl Anthony Payne’s Quotes About Marriage

In an interview with FOX 5, Carl opened up about how marriage really works. He said something many couples can relate to:

“You got to learn how to fight. It’s about communication, and you’ve got to learn how to grow together and learn how to argue.”

He didn’t mean physical fighting, of course. He meant that couples need to understand each other, even when they disagree. It’s about picking your battles and learning how to talk things through.

Carl also said that after years of being together, they realized most arguments were not worth it. This honest and simple advice shows why their marriage is still going strong today.

Why Is Melika Payne Famous Today?

Melika Payne is famous because of the people in her life — her husband Carl Anthony Payne II and her son Landon Brown, whose father is Bobby Brown.

But more than that, people admire Melika for being strong, loyal, and supportive. She has spent most of her life standing beside the people she loves, helping them grow while choosing to stay away from the spotlight herself.

Even without a big career in acting or music, Melika’s name still gets attention. That’s because her story is full of real-life moments — love, family, struggles, and second chances.

Where Is Melika Payne Now?

As of 2025, Melika Payne lives in Northridge, California, with her husband Carl and their children. They live a quiet, happy life in their beautiful home, away from the flashing lights of Hollywood.

She doesn’t post on social media or make public appearances often. But whenever she’s seen with Carl at events, people notice her grace and presence.

Melika may not be a star on the screen, but she’s clearly the heart of her home — and the steady support behind two generations of entertainers.

Final Thoughts

So, who is Melika Payne?

She’s a proud mother, a devoted wife, and a woman who has quietly made her mark through love, loyalty, and family. From her early relationship with Bobby Brown to raising Landon Brown and building a lasting marriage with Carl Anthony Payne II, her journey is full of real-life strength and grace.

Even though she doesn’t chase fame, Melika Payne continues to inspire people with her quiet role in a very public world.