Well, this is an interesting turn of events. Melanie Chisholm, a.k.a., “Sporty Spice” of the Spice Girls, has climbed upon a virtual soapbox to complain about the oversexualization of young girls, a phenomenon which she claims has been willingly perpetuated by the likes of Rihanna. Never mind that the Spice Girls themselves have recently been, ironically or not, invoked by Shia LeBeouf as an example of faux-feminism and also previously bared their midriffs on an long-term and quite willing basis. That’s different, you see, because today is an altogether different matter and, conveniently, most of the Spice Girls themselves are now mothers of young, impressionable girls. That would necessarily include Mel C. herself, who has spoken out in protest of the unseemly example that today’s pop stars are setting for young girls:

She might be a big fan of the Barbadian singer but Melanie Christholm has spoken out about Rihanna’s ‘inappropriate’ overtly sexual behaviour.

The former Spice Girl believes that the singer has a responsibility to younger children to protect them, something which she has realised since becoming a mother.

Mel, 37, took to Twitter and posted: ‘For the record. I am a big fan of Rihanna, I am also a mother.’

She said: ‘People have to take some responsibility because we’ve got to a point where over-sexualisation of young children has gone too far,’ the Mirror reported.

‘I think music is a big part of that. Women in music, very successful women, are extremely sexual and they have young fans. It is inappropriate.

‘Rihanna has responsibility and although culture’s always changing, it’s changed too much. It needs to be dealt with. It’s reached saturation point, we owe it to our kids to protect them.

‘Rihanna’s free to do as she pleases, of course, but I think her take on the criticism she’s had is interesting.’

Mel, who found fame as Sporty Spice in the most successful girl group of all time, gave birth to her daughter Scarlet Starr in February 2009.

And since then her priorities, and views have changed and she accepts that Rihanna might not understand her viewpoint given that she doesn’t have children of her own.

She told the paper: ‘I love Rihanna, I think she’s a f****** brilliant artist, with great songs, a great record and she looks fantastic… but she’s not a mum. Maybe if she becomes one she’ll feel different. I hope so anyway.’

Mel was no stranger to strutting her stuff in skimpy outfits during her Spice days and were often seen backflipping her way across the stage in cropped tops and tracksuits bottoms.

She said: ‘It’s a long time ago since the Spice Girls were first together and we were criticised for being sexual. Yes, we wore crop tops, I mean look how much has changed.’

And it isn’t just the music industry that has changed since Melanie rose to fame with Geri Halliwel, Melanie Brown, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton.

The mother of one has made a furrow into acting enjoying s successful West End theatre debut in Blood Brothers, which she received a Laurence Olivier nomination for.

But like her fellow Spice Girl Geri, Mel C has also been back in the recording studio working on her latest album Sea.

Mel’s new single “Think About It” is out on September 5.

[From Daily Mail]

First off, I’d like to point out that a couple of Spice Girls tunes still reside within my iTunes collection. However, if Mel C. doesn’t think that she still monetarily benefits (royalty wise) from the fruits of the poisoned tree — that is, the bared midriffs of the entire group and the extremely short hemlines of Posh Spice — then she is sadly mistaken. In fact, much of the money with which she raises her little girl comes precisely from that source. With that said, yes, Rihanna is a bit too sexualized for today’s tween audience, but she’s not really any worse than, say, Katy Perry, who takes great pleasure in wearing cupcake bras and shooting whipped cream out of her boobs. Ultimately, it’s up to parents to decide whether or not their tweens listen to Rihanna, Katy Perry, or any of their contemporaries. As to Mel C, I do sympathize, but it’s also fairly apparent that she’s not only hypocritically expressing outrage but also promoting her own upcoming album. And yes, I do wish Mel C. much luck with her new prospective demographic.

Photos courtesy of WENN

“Sporty Spice” Mel C is pregnant with her first child, she confirms on her website. Mel had people wondering when she showed up at a performance last week wearing a loose jumpsuit showing a telltale round tummy. When Mel gives birth, probably early next year judging by her size, she will become the last member of British girl group The Spice Girls to become a mother. Mel has been with her boyfriend, Thomas Starr, for six years:

Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm has confirmed that she is pregnant by her partner of six years, Thomas Starr.

The 34-year-old singer announced the news on her website today.

Mel C said: ‘Some happy news. Well, I can now announce that Tom and I are expecting a baby and we are very happy.

‘As I’m sure you’ll understand we needed time to wait for results and tell our families.

‘I will be taking it easy but am also excited to start writing for the fifth album.

‘I will need to take some time off to be a mum but, before you know it, we’ll be back.’

[From The Daily Mail]

Mel C has had the most successful solo music career after the Spice Girls disbanded for the first time and is thought to have been the final holdout before they eventually agreed to reunite and tour last year.

Mel’s band members have seven children between them. Baby Spice Emma Bunton has the youngest, with 12 month-old boy Beau. Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell has daugher Bluebell Madonna, two. Scary Spice Mel B has daughters Phoenix Chi, 9, and Angel Iris, 16 months. The tiniest and richest spice, Victoria Beckham aka Posh has Brooklyn, 9, Romeo, nearly 6, and Cruz, 3. Mel can surely get plenty of parenting advice from the other Spice Girls if she’s open to it.

Congratulations to Mel and Thomas and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and bouncing baby.

Melanie Chisholm and Emma Bunton are shown out in London on 3/20/08. Credit: WENN

The Spice Girls must have the most restrained and logical concert rider in history. We recently reported on some of the crazy celebrity contract riders as mentioned in the book “The Little Red Riders Book: The Backstage Requests Of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Most Famous Artists” by Steve Lamacq. Among a few of the better ones were Mariah Carey’s request for Cristal champagne, one box of bendy straws, one special attendant to dispose of used chewing gum, tea service for eight, a Honey Bear pack of honey, two air purifiers, a puppy, and kittens. And Mariah’s request were certainly not the most outlandish. Marilyn Manson requested a bald toothless hooker (which we hope was simply a reflection of his dark sense of humor) while David Hasselhoff requests a life-size cutout… of David Hasselhoff. I’m assuming frozen in that dramatic beach rescue running pose.

By comparison, the Spice Girls don’t exactly seem like the divas they used to be portrayed as.

All five have submitted a rider asking for a regular supply of light salads, steamed fish and fresh fruit. Geri Halliwell has asked for Evian and Melanie Brown will have sparkling spring water. [Melanie] Chisholm wants a kettle in her dressing room, Emma Bunton will have scented candles, slippers and flowers while Victoria Beckham’s fridge will be replenished daily with edamame soya beans.

[From the Daily Mail]

The most lavish thing the girls have requested is a daycare to be installed at London’s O2 Arena, where they’re playing 17 sold-out dates. Considering all the kids and nannies they’ll have in tow, it seems pretty reasonable.

The Spice Girls have had a creche [daycare] installed at the O2 ahead of their 17 nights of sell-out gigs.

The group – who, with the exception of Melanie Chisholm, are all now mothers – have requested the facility so their small army of child-minders can keep the children occupied during their two-hour concerts, which start tomorrow.

An insider said: “They all want their babies close by and looked after, so their nannies also come with the package.”

[From the Daily Mail]

When I first started researching this story, I assumed it would head in the direction of “Spice Girls have crazy diva demands.” I also assumed a creche was some type of fancy air ionizer or something. Since the article just called the arena the O2, I was thinking oxygen. So I was mightily disappointed – though impressed – that the girls were just asking for a quiet, fun place to put their kids. So far their concerts are getting pretty good reviews. Emma Bunton took a spill during a show last week and sprained her ankle, but has continued to perform, despite her leg being wrapped and hobbling around on crutches. Say what you want about their talent, but either they’re keeping their petty differences to themselves, or the Spice Girls are – at the very least – consummate professionals.

Picture note by Jaybird: Header image of the Spice Girls (with Sir Richard Branson) opening Virgin Atlantic’s new terminal at Heathrow Airport yesterday. Images thanks to PR Photos.

The Spice Girls are touring, making them suddenly cool again (or maybe ‘cool’ for the first time). Victoria Beckham is featured on the cover of Elle magazine this month, and revealed what we’ve long suspected – she has no natural talents.

ON HER TALENT:
“It became very obvious from the start,” Beckham continues, “that I was never going to be the best singer or the best dancer or the best actress. I was never a ‘natural.’ ” She thinks about this. “You know, I’ve never been that good at anything, to be completely honest.”

[From Elle]

Actually, Posh seems to have a talent for attracting attention to herself and wearing naff outfits.

As if to prove that she has no talent, at the Los Angeles Spice Girls show she skipped her solo singing spot, instead opting for a prance down the runway.

Baby, Scary, Ginger and Sporty each belted out solo numbers. Mel C’s “I Turn to You”, Scary’s rendition of “Are You Gonna Go My Way” and Ginger’s of “It’s Raining Men” brought the house down! Meanwhile, Posh rested her pipes and opted instead for a maaayjah prance down the runway as a mix of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and RuPaul’s “Supermodel” played in the background.

[From TMZ]

When the Spice Girls were in their heyday it was always said that Posh and Sporty were the two strongest singers, so I wonder if Victoria’s reluctance to sing is actually from a lack of self confidence. Although, she did work that catwalk!

While I’ve never heard any of Victoria’s solo music, maybe a great cover would work for her. How much would you love to see her parody herself while singing ‘You’re So Vain’?

Note by Celebitchy: Victoria Beckham is shown in the video below singing live and acoustic. She’s not bad. Victoria is shown in the header image on 12/7/07 at “The Mint” in LA with Mel B, thanks to Splash News.

The Spice Girls world tour kicks off this weekend, and it’s been a busy week for the girls. Geri Halliwell blogs on the lead up to the first show on Sunday in Vancouver.

I actually feel like I’m in the Spice bubble… we are encapsulated in this world where we are just immersed in each other’s lives constantly. Just before the run through of the show this morning, Mel B, Victoria and I even went to the loo together… in separate cubicles, obviously!

But of course… there’s also my daughter Bluebell. She loves hanging with the Beckham boys. Cruz and Bluebell have play dates, and Romeo – well, he is just gorgeous with her. Actually, it was a beautiful moment when we were rehearsing the other day and all of our kids were playing on the stage at the same time. It made me smile.

As you probably know, Mel B was in the live final of Dancing With The Stars and we surprised her on Monday down at the show. She was so shocked, it’s the first time we’ve ever seen her quiet! She was with us in rehearsals yesterday morning and then went to the studio in evening for the results show. She SO should have won… I’m very disappointed. But we are all so incredibly proud of her. You’re a winner to us Mel!

Read the full entry at thespicegirls.com

Mel B was robbed! Robbed I tell ya!

The girls were also visited by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes this week, and surprised them with an impromptu performance.

Tom and Katie’s 19-month-old Suri danced around as the band belted out a selection of their greatest hits.

Following the surprise visit, Victoria – who is married to England soccer star David Beckham – said: “David and I are great friends with Tom and Katie. It was lovely of them to come down to rehearsals, a really nice surprise.

“Katie has told me before that she used to be a huge Spice Girls fan, so it was great for her to meet the other girls.”

Stuff

In other Victoria Beckham news, she’s just been announced as the new face of the Marc Jacobs campaign. We’re unsure whether her new boobs have been temporarily added at the designer’s request, or if they are a permanent fixture. They’re definitely nicer than her old half melons.

Sadly, the Spice Girls aren’t coming to my town. Still, video of the shows should be up on YouTube before I even make it out of bed. I’ll be listening to their CDs, and watching their movie this weekend. Not because they’re on tour – I do it most weekends…

Picture note by Jaybird: The Spice Girls made a surprise visit to the studio’s of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ to support Melanie Brown. Images thanks to Splash Photos.

The Spice Girls just added three new dates to their tour – and ten hair and make up people!

“There’s so much competition between the girls. They all want to look their best so each of them brought in their own separate team. It’s hilarious – and completely over the top. Why can’t they just share like in the old days?” the Mirror quoted the source, as saying.

The band of aids include 10 hair stylists and make-up artists, plus fitness trainers and nutrition experts, as well as personal assistants, managers and security guards.

“It’s a far cry from the old days when they had one make-up artist and a hairdresser between them,” the source said.

However, a band spokesman insisted: “It’s normal for each girl to have a team.”

The Times Of India

I think it’s appropriate to have a team for each Spice – there’s five of them, so it would take hours to groom them for public viewing. Also rumored to be on the Spice Train is clothing designer Donatella Versace. A source describes her as being “a big fan of the girls back in the day.”

Reports in today’s papers claimed the Spice Girls had found their much-needed fairy style godmother in the shape of Donatella Versace, who was said to be designing £200,000-worth of designer stage outfits for their comeback reunion tour – but a spokesperson for Versace has denied that this is the case. “It’s simply not true,” he told us. “I have no idea where the rumours have come from.”

Vogue

I guess it makes sense to have so many more stylists and trainers on hand then before – the girls have put on a few years! But what we all really want to know is – does Ginger have her Union Jack dress back yet? I’m sure Donatella could knock up another, but a new dress just isn’t the same as vintage. Besides, it’s kind of like your wedding dress. Every few years you try it on to see how much weight you’ve gained. Admit it, we all do it. I’m surprised Geri didn’t want to keep it for that purpose alone.

Photo via http://www.dlisted.com“>DListed.