‘I’M IN THE BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE’

She backflipped her way into our hearts, but Melanie Chisholm has turned down the chance of another Spice Girls reunion. Instead, she’s focusing on her music and introducing her daughter to true Girl Power...

Mel C talks about what Girl Power means to her now

MMore than 20 years ago, five young women burst into our lives and introduced the world to Girl Power. Posh, Scary, Baby and Ginger Spice launched a million Wannabes, but it was Mel C, as Sporty, who had the best voice and has, since they all went solo, had the biggest musical career. Today, Melanie is Mum to eight-year-old Scarlet and is about to go on tour with her latest album, Version Of Me. And when she arrives for our cover shoot, she is clearly super-fit, excited and ready to hit the road. She tells GH how she really feels about the Spice Girls reuniting, why she’s angry that, at 43, she’s a victim of ageism, and why this is the year to fight back...

How does it feel to be back on tour again this year?

It’s exciting! But whenever I’m back on stage after a break, it is so petrifying. It’s like anything in life – when you haven’t done it in a while, you question whether you still can. It’s been five years since my last record – my longest break. You find yourself entering a world that has changed so much, but the album’s been well received, and now I finally get to my favourite part, which is getting on stage and performing and being able to express those emotions night after night. It’s going to be fun!

Will Scarlet be going to any of your concerts?

She’s off school during the UK leg, so it works out quite nicely. I’m going to give her a gentle introduction to touring. She’s so excited about having a bunk on the tour bus – but she might not be as excited when she hears how much my musicians snore! I feel she’s old enough to really enjoy so much more of what I do. She has come to see me in things before and fallen asleep! She’s a good girl. She’s my little mate.

We hear you teamed up with your old bandmate, Victoria Beckham, at a gig in the Maldives earlier this year and sang your old Spice Girl song, 2 Become 1! We had a bit of a joke and I made her the offer: your last

chance! She came and it was lovely. We hadn’t been on stage together since the Olympics. It was fun for us, and I think it was really fun for the audience, too.

What does your friendship with Victoria mean to you?

I’m so proud of her. We all are. It is unprecedented the things she has done with her fashion label. She always was a very savvy businesswoman. It’s so lovely to sit with her. She’s really inspiring and is a brilliant mum. I value her words of wisdom.

What about the other Spice Girls?

I care about them all. We went through something so unique together. We had a crazy time with the band and had our families close by. They travelled with us a lot, but nobody knows what it felt like apart from each other. We all have different relationships, like you do with any of your friends. No matter what may or may not have happened between us all, we are there for each other. That’s something that will never go away.

You and Victoria turned down another Spice Girls reunion when a lot of people would have just taken the money. How did it feel to stick to your guns?

It’s mixed feelings. People do feel let down. Melanie (Brown), Geri (Halliwell) and Emma (Bunton) want to continue, and me not being involved does make it a bit more complicated. Five of us is the dream, four we can get by, but as the number dwindles, everything becomes a bit trickier. I do harbour some sad feelings, but I know I’ve done the right thing.

What didn’t feel right?

It didn’t feel like it was doing justice to the band or to the fans. Everything sounded very exciting, but there was a doubt in my mind. The last thing we did together as the Spice Girls was so incredible. Geri had left in 1998 and we did the US tour without her. So to get back as a five-piece and then to do the Olympics was just phenomenal! Within the band there is a dynamic. It’s different when people aren’t there. I just didn’t feel comfortable.

Have you always trusted your instincts?

As I’ve got older, I’ve been trying to really trust myself. If you are going to make a mistake, let it be your own and not somebody else’s. Last year was the year of me questioning loads of things. Your life is never plain sailing, is it? Being busy and away from home so much, I have often let things go and not dealt with situations. We are living in this era where it’s all about social media, and on Facebook everyone’s lives are so fabulous. But no one’s life is without its problems, is it? I have lots going on, and I feel ready and prepared. Last year I was building my armour, and this year I’m going to go out and fight!

So you are still ambitious?

I am! I want to enjoy my life and career. I come up against a lot of ageism in music, especially for women. There are certain radio stations that won’t play you because it doesn’t fit their demographic. I don’t have an issue with that. But there will be things that I would quite like to do and someone might say to me: ‘Well, you know we live in a very ageist society.’ Why can’t I be the face of a sports brand just because I’m 43? Why can’t I try? I want to break down these ageist barriers. I still feel youthful. I’m in the best shape of my life and I have just made one of the best records of my career.

Go Sporty Spice, we say!

I am passionate about sport. I do triathlons and see it’s a growing sport. There are women my age and we all go to yoga, we are into sports brands like Sweaty Betty and Lululemon. Are you telling me a 25-year-old can afford to go to Sweaty Betty? There is a big market out there. Women are in control of their own destiny, so advertisers need to get on board. It’s like with actresses who still find it difficult to get lead roles. I think that’s going to change. It has to, because it really doesn’t make sense. People need to catch up, because we have something to say!

What have you learnt from being a mother?

The wonderful thing is that the responsibility of being a really good mum means I need to be good to myself, and not let people take advantage or walk all over me. Scarlet is an incredible daughter and a best mate, she has taught me a lot. I want her to see me being a strong woman and making good choices. I thank my little girl every day because when she came along, I realised I owed it to her be strong and do the right thing. It’s just made my life better. My boyfriend has a little girl, too, and she’s the same age as my daughter. We’ve got a little team. And becoming a mum, I really reconnected with my mum again. I have always been close to her, but I think there is just something about that maternal thing. My mum is a really important person in my life. Fundamentally, if you are lucky enough to have a great family, then their opinions matter, even if sometimes you don’t want to hear them!

Do you pass on life lessons to your daughter?

Yes, absolutely. I’ve always been a people pleaser. When you see that quality in a child, it’s lovely, but you want to protect them. It’s a balance of being kind

[continued from previous page] and giving everybody your sweets, but being tough and aware as well.

What have you learnt about love?

I haven’t had many serious relationships in my life. I was talking to my daughter about this and we were saying aren’t grown-ups weird. When you meet somebody, you want to be with them every second of every day. And more often than not, when it ends, you don’t want to see them ever again. How can you go from one end of the spectrum to the other? With friends, you might lose touch, but they are still your friend. I don’t think I’ve got any ex-boyfriends that I want to go for a drink with. I’m in a relationship now and it’s secure. I feel really happy. I feel like I haven’t had the support in a relationship like I have now. It’s only taken me 40 years – I got there in the end!

Is marriage on the horizon?

I’ve never been married. There always seem to be so many other things that need doing! I’m not very romantic, am I? Maybe one day…

How do you stay in shape?

I am the fittest that I’ve ever been. Obviously, age does come into it. Recovery is slower and you get a few more aches and pains. But I look after myself a lot better than I did in my 20s. I was working and it was far more crazy. These days I’m kinder to myself. I did three triathlons last year and would love to do that again this year. I like running, the bike, swimming, yoga and strength work. If there’s stuff you want to get out, doing a great weight session makes you feel much better. As a child, I was quite a skinny little thing. Walking home from school once, a girl tried to beat me up. I walked away from that and made the decision I was never going to let anyone get the better of me physically. That Christmas, my dad got me a weights bench! If I feel strong physically, then I feel strong mentally.

You turned 43 earlier this year. How do you feel about that?

At 39, I thought I was getting better with age. Then I hit 40 and did start to notice the wheels falling off a bit. Just waking up in the morning and taking longer to get going. And it hurts more when I bend down! But I feel lots of positive things, too. I’m much more confident and stronger in voicing my opinion and standing up for myself. Physically, there is a bit more maintenance, though!

You’ll always be a feisty Spice Girl to us!

In the band, there was power in numbers and we egged one another on. As Sporty Spice, I felt I was portrayed as being quite bolshy, mouthy and aggressive and that has never been me. I felt really uncomfortable with this portrayal. When you’re in your early 20s, you are trying to figure out who you are anyway. I hate confrontation and, in the band, I was the diplomat. I’ve always been very low key and put up with stuff. I just got to a point where I realised it wasn’t serving me well. I had to take responsibility for myself.

How do you feel about cosmetic surgery?

Mixed emotions! There are so many people in the public eye and in the street who look great and benefit from it, but I think it’s easy to get a little bit dysmorphic about it. It can be a slippery slope. I’ve done musical theatre and I want to be able to move my face. I’ve had bits of Botox done. I do like it, but it does freak me out because I don’t want to turn into that person that everyone thinks looks like Michael Jackson!

Can you still do the Sporty Spice backflips?

I haven’t done one in a while. But I think I could if I had a good old warm-up!

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