Mel C: “When I’m with the Spice Girls, I’m naughtier than usual!”
Singer Melanie Chisholm talks backstage mishaps, overcoming depression and the joy of motherhood
After a decadelong A break, Mel C is back with Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel B for a mega 13-day Spice Girls tour next summer.
Originally formed in 1994, the band sold tens of millions during their heyday, before Geri walked out in 1998, revealing that the girls had started to squabble. The remaining four split after releasing the album Forever two years later.
REMINISCING
They reformed for a world tour in 2007 and will be back as a foursome for a UK tour next summer – fifth member Victoria Beckham chose to concentrate on her fashion empire rather than join them.
But Mel C, 44, insists they’re stronger together than apart.
“Being a Spice Girl is the best thing in the world,” she laughs. “Just hanging out together, you start to reminisce and you remember different things. We always talk about silly things, like someone puking in a car before we went on stage – stuff the public didn’t see. When I am in a room with the Spice Girls, I am much naughtier than I am usually!”
Despite having a successful solo career for six years until 2006, Mel says becoming mum to ten-year-old Scarlet, with ex Thomas Starr, is her biggest life lesson. She says, “I like to think we are raising a generation of women or children who are better – they do have their pressures, but they feel more savvy and confident. Scarlet has made me stronger. I feel like she’s my teacher.”
APPRECIATING HAPPINESS
And while the band enjoyed huge success, it came at a great cost to Mel, who battled an eating disorder and clinical depression. Officially diagnosed in 2000, she used anti-depressants, exercise, therapy and acupuncture to stay well.
Mel – who’s been dating her manager Joe Marshall for three years – says, “Depression was something I suffered with during my first time round with the [Spice] girls. I took anti-depressants for 18 months and had counselling. Recovering from it taught me to appreciate happiness, and that has remained my priority. When you’re happy and strong, you can achieve anything. I’m proud I’ve been able to recover, and get myself back to 100 per cent health.”