Back in 1998, this Spice Girl fan saw a Ginger Spice-less Spice quartet perform in Atlanta. And, believe me, I was not happy about it, although it was still a fun show. Now, it appears the band is a trio. The British girl group, who shot to the top off the charts 20 years ago with “Wannabe” and became insanely famous worldwide, is planning a reunion starting with a one-off concert in London’s Hyde Park. The reunion could extend to new songs and possibly a tour (fingers crossed!)
Sadly, the only girls currently on board are Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell, Emma “Baby Spice” Bunton and Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown, a/k/a/ Mel B. Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham has refused to be a part of the reunion since the get-go (devoting her time to fashion) and now, Melanie “Sporty Spice” Chisolm is the latest Spice Girl to go back on the shelf.
The 42-year-old singer, who has had quite a few hits in the UK, recently wrote an essay for Britain’s Love Magazine, where she talked about her rise to fame, the ever-changing music industry and why she has chosen not to join her fellow Spice Girls on stage. It’s a lengthy, worthwhile read if you’re a fan, but if you don’t have that kind of time, here are some excerpts:
For a few years, with four other girls by my side, we achieved exactly what we set out to do. Thankfully, we all wanted the same thing. We still to this day believe a big part of our success was due to our absolute unquestionable belief that we would indeed become the biggest band in the world.
But my relationship with fame has changed over the years and at times of personal struggle (remember the angry rock chick years?) when you’d rather nobody knew who you were I’d have to remind myself that without fame from the band it would be far more difficult for me to do the thing that I love. You see, I’m a singer and songwriter. Not a celebrity. The two are very different things. You can earn a fortune being a ‘celebrity’ depending on how much dignity you want to keep in tact.
Look, I will be a Spice Girl until I die. But the continuous speculation on whether we will reform to celebrate 20 years of Wannabe has been particularly exhausting. Don’t get me wrong – I totally get it. But is it a new rule that bands have to reform? Why can’t we just be remembered for our incredible achievements in the nineties.
We’re constantly reminded of our famous line from Wannabe – friendship never ends. There will always be hurdles with friendship. I love the girls dearly. We have a very unique bond that will never be broken and I will continue to support them all as much as I can.
Also, I am under no illusion that my solo work will ever come close to a fraction of the impact that we make as the Spice Girls. I love the band I am beyond proud of my past and will always embrace and celebrate being a Spice Girl, It’s what I am.
I get Melanie’s reasons for stepping back from the reunion, but do I detect a little shade towards Mel B., who is pretty much the de facto ringleader of the reunion? The Hyde Park concert has already been booked, and I’m hoping to win the lottery before July of next year so I can get a ticket and head on over to jolly old England to see my complete guilty pleasure group. Besides, there were reports just a few weeks ago that Mel C. was considering taking legal action to stop the reunion. Not sure if the words she penned in her eloquent essay are ringing so true now.
Mel C. could be missing out on quite a payday, with reports claiming that each of the Spice Girls who performs at the Hyde Park gig stands to make around $14 million. For just one show? I’d certainly take that paycheck. She should reconsider, not only because I selfishly want to see as many of them together as I can. (There’s no hope for Victoria, and she reportedly had her mic turned off during live shows anyway, as she recently admitted.)
I don’t think Sporty wants to end up like band mate Geri, who regretted leaving the band’s 1998 tour. On last Saturday’s episode of Oprah Winfrey’s Where Are They Now?, she confessed that her actions were “immature”, adding, “There was a bit of ruction in the band. It was like, ‘You’re getting on my nerves and I don’t know how to talk this through, so I’m out of here.’” C’mon ladies, let’s get over this ruction and please, Mel C., say you’ll be there.
Photo credit: Getty Images, WENN.com, Love Magazine
Mel C always struck me as the one who was never comfortable with the level of fame that came with their success, out of all the girls she struggled with it. And i don’t blame her for not taking part and yes i do think its a subtle shade at Mel B, who needs the money the most. The other 2 want the media exposure.
She had eating disorders and depression during her Spice Girls year. Plus she said that she was in therapy too (during or after SG, I can’t remember). She said other girls were in therapy too after the band split up so it took a toll on all of them.
But yeah, Mel C has been the most vocal on her struggles with fame and the pressures of being in a band, touring etc. I love how candid she was about how hard it is to be on top of the world but having many internal struggles you have to hide because you have responsibilities. She’s been through so much. Maybe it’s triggering for her to perform again. She always said the girls were supportive of each other but even with the good times, maybe Mel C doesn’t want to risk reliving the bad times too.
Obviously VB doesn’t care for a reunion. She’s the most successful post-SG and doesn’t need that connection anymore. She upgraded through marriage and career! The other ones, who are they now? And Mel B is always thirsty for some attention. I agree with Mel C, why perform for nostalgia sakes? The SG were the best in their era, why revisit?
Mel C wasn’t the only one struggling with an eating disorder – didn’t Geri come out and admit the same thing, that she struggled with an ED before and during the SG era? A lot of people thought VB suffered with one but she’s never admitted to it, well not that i know of.
Does Mel B need the money though?
She is a regular judge on America’s go Talent and she has been involved with the X factor brand for a while until last year.
Plus endorsments and fitness videos. Plus SG roylaties are still coming in for all of them.
I don’t think she needs the money, she just wants to be in the limelight.
I think at one point Mel B was close to bankruptcy, due in various parts to her extravagant lifestyle, shady business deals and paying off ex husbands. Her current husband is a bit of a shady business man. I don’t think she is as wealthy as she once was and even with the X Factor gig, she won’t be making the kind of money that supports her (and her husbands) lifestyle.
No she doesn’t need the money. She’s doing just fine plus she’s still getting child support from Eddie Murphy for their daughter Angel. I think Mel just likes to be in front of the camera and she likes performing.
Mel C looks really good and not so sporty in those pics but sexy.
That husband of her really is bad news.
Unlike Emma and Mel C, Mel B’s expenses far surpass her actual earnings.
Plus unlike Geri and Victoria, Mel B’s the primary breadwinner of her household.
She’s tried a solo career, TV presenting, column writing, reality TV e.t,c.
She needs the money.
@Bettie I thought the gig was America’s Got Talent. That’s the show I see Mel B on.
4 out of 5 would be a decent reunion and probably preferable given how Posh almost appears to protest the idea while on stage (I mean, the London Olympics?). However, 3 out of 5 seems desperate. As a performer, you should want to give your fans the best. Maybe it will still be good, but I doubt it. Is it possible to call it something else other than a reunion?
Is it just me or she sort of looks like Kate Middleton here?
I think so too.
It’s not just you! I did a double take, I thought the small picture was Kate displaying a heretofore unseen level of vibrancy.
So no singers involved in the reunion?
I just think that these reunions are pale imitations of what they were like in their heydays. Anyway I always liked Mel C’s voice the best.
I completely agree with her. Also Mel C was the best vocalist and the album ‘Northern Star’ was amazing. Spice Girls should be remembered for the great success they had and I think GEM is a terrible idea. TERRIBLE.
Way to beat a dead horse.
I was co-opted into helping at too many little girl birthday parties with Spice Girl themes by my aunties and older cousins to EVER want the Spice Girls to get anywhere near my radar ever, ever, ever, EVER again, thankyouverymuch. I might remember the dance or something. This would be a fate worse than death.
The sister mafia in my family should have run their own birthday parties for their own kids.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
Surprised Geri is in, I got the feeling she tried to downplay her Spice Girl image after marrying Christian Horner.
Geri was always the fame ho – she doesn’t need the money, esp after marrying Christian Horner. She’ll use it to plug her new image, whatever that is at the moment.
Lol at Victoria’s mic being turned off. I still wish she would just take the major pay day and perform. Posh was always my favourite! And yeah, i hope mel c changes her mind. Like just take the money ladies!!!!
Her choice and I respect her for it. I have to check out her solo work as I always liked her vocals best. Also, am I crazy or does she very much resemble Maria Bello in that header pic?
Kudos on that last line, Corey, and I hope you get to see them xxxx
I always loved Post the most. Mel C really impressed me with her Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. I don’t blame her for not wanting to look back.
No comment on if they should get together or not just that GOD they were fantastic looking when they were younger, ya’ll don’t know how DELIGHTFUL Mel B was for Black girls! and also that whether by hook or crook… they all actually look FANTASTIC still, no shade whatsoever in that they all look like they could do it TODAY if they wanted to
I don’t blame her for not wanting to do a reunion. I think she knows she was the one Spice Girl who could really sing and that’s why she was brought into the group. On the other hand, the others were brought in because of the way they look and could carry a tune. I imagine it was hard being the “plain” one amongst the other beauties. I’m sure that did a number on her. She seems like she’s in a good place now emotionally so why mess with a good thing?
What songs can they even do without Mel C? She sang most of the songs!
i saw their last reunion. mel c has a really strong voice. mel c and emma sang the entire time. while victoria admits to not turning her mike on, neither geri or mel b had theirs on either.