Simon Fuller, the former manager of the Spice Girls, has disclosed that Annie Lennox played a pivotal but previously unacknowledged role in shaping the group's iconic personas. In a BBC Radio 2 documentary, Fuller revealed that the Eurythmics star encouraged the band members to exaggerate their characters, which ultimately propelled them to global stardom.
Fuller recounted that during a flight to New York, Lennox expressed interest in meeting the newly signed group. She advised them to be 'louder and more brash and more specific,' leading Emma Bunton to embrace the 'Baby Spice' persona. Fuller noted that the nicknames—Sporty, Baby, Scary, Ginger, and Posh—were later coined by a magazine editor, but Lennox provided the initial focus.
The documentary, titled 'The Fuller Picture: The Simon Fuller Story,' also explores Fuller's contentious split from the Spice Girls in 1997. He described his management style as 'controlling,' likening himself to a 'sergeant major' and a 'parent,' which he believes bred resentment among the tired and emotionally drained group members. Despite having plans for a second film and a third album, the partnership dissolved abruptly.
Fuller, who has since managed David Beckham, Andy Murray, and Lewis Hamilton, also discussed a near-miss with Michael Jackson. He was on the verge of becoming Jackson's manager but ultimately declined due to the complexities surrounding the pop star's inner circle. Fuller advised Jackson against touring, suggesting alternative ventures, but the deal fell through.
