In an exclusive statement shared with PEOPLE, the renowned Socked In For Christmas star, Melina Alves, has now stepped forward to address the apparent reunion of Joey Lawrence with his estranged wife, Samantha Cope. This situation holds significant importance as it unfolds in the public eye and impacts various lives.

Unraveling the Tale of Joey Lawrence's Relationship

Friendship Amidst Marital Struggles

Melina Alves emphasizes that while these situations are often complex, she wishes to keep the details of her friendship with Joey Lawrence private. She writes, "As far as Joey and Sam reuniting and reconciling, it came as a surprise to me as everyone else, and if it’s true, I wish them all the love." This shows her respect for the privacy of those involved.During this time, Alves continues to express her hope for restoration in Joey Lawrence's relationship with his two older daughters and his wife. She believes that this relationship is of utmost importance, especially as their sweet girl, Dylan, gets to be raised in a home with both parents. Surrounded by her sisters, wonderful and loving grandmother Donna, and the rest of the family, it truly is a beautiful sight.

On-Set Friendship and Clarifications

Alves issued a statement to her Instagram to set the record straight about her relationship with Joey Lawrence. She firmly states, "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. Our relationship was a meaningful friendship that developed naturally due to the many similarities in our personal situations."The two found a common ground in their shared experiences, which became the foundation for their strong, supportive friendship. This friendship has been a source of strength for both of them during their challenging marital times.

Joey's Perspective on the Allegations

For his part, Joey Lawrence also addressed the allegations and life after Cope's divorce filing on an episode of his podcast The Brotherly Love Pod. He shared, "This has been a multifaceted journey these four [or] five years. Actually, there was a lot of pain in that journey despite public perception and what it looks like [on social]. Life will move on and we will move through this. And my children will be at the forefront."This shows Joey's honesty and his focus on his children during this difficult time. It gives a deeper insight into his perspective and the emotions he has been experiencing.