Melanie Chisholm, known as Mel C or Sporty Spice, has revealed her favourite Spice Girls bandmate while celebrating the 30th anniversary of the group’s debut single, Wannabe. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror at the Silver Clef Awards, held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the 52-year-old singer named Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) as the bandmate she is closest to now.
Favourite Bandmate Revealed
When asked which Spice Girl she would gravitate to if she weren't in the band, Mel C laughed and said: “That's dodgy, that is! I wouldn’t want to choose. I'd like to choose a different one on a different day. I'm probably closest to Emma [out of] all of the girls. I love my Baby Spice. I saw her yesterday … Emma yesterday, Victoria today because she's dressed me.”
Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) had dressed Mel C for the event, highlighting the ongoing bonds between the group members. The five-piece—also including Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) and Geri Horner (Ginger Spice)—originally released Wannabe in 1996, which became an instant global hit.
30th Anniversary Celebrations
Reflecting on the milestone, Mel C said: “I can believe it's 30 years because so much has happened. But it does also feel like yesterday. I remember being in that little studio in the Strongroom down in East London with Matt [Rowe] and Biff [Stannard], and it was this tiny little room, all seven of us crammed in there, and they said, just sing anything. They were trying to bottle that energy, that chaos of the Spice Girls - which is what Wannabe is, and why it had to be the debut single, because it was the perfect introduction to us as a band.”
Wannabe reached number one in 37 countries and was followed by hits like Say You’ll Be There, 2 Become 1, Who Do You Think You Are, and Spice Up Your Life. The group also popularised the term “girl power.”
Global Impact Award
Mel C received the Global Impact award at the Silver Clef Awards for her work in the music industry and beyond. She shared the evening with stars including Lily Allen, John Bishop, and Jessie J. “I’m having such a great year,” she said. “I feel here tonight, especially with yesterday being the anniversary of Wannabe. 30 years - that is very much a celebration of the Spice Girls, as well. If it wasn't for being part of the band, I wouldn't have a solo career and be an international artist. I feel very proud, I'm just having a ball.”
Girl Power's Enduring Relevance
Mel C also spoke about why the feminist notion of Girl Power is more important than ever: “Because I just think we'll never be equal… Hopefully, we will get there one day. But there's just such a long way to go - [it’s] just the way our society is built. Girls are incredible. My daughter's generation, they are so much more outspoken than I think I ever was. Women rule. We're so inclusive, and we have such a huge following in the LGBTQ+ community as well. But it's all about the girls and the gays, isn't it!”
