Time Goes By: Spice Girls' Mel B turns 50
Brown was known as Scary Spice when she performed in the girl group, which released their first single, Wannabe, in 1996 and had other hits with songs including Stop, 2 Become 1 and Time Goes By.
The music star, who is also known as Mel B, wrote in a social media post on Thursday: "50 today!!! Thank you so much for all the love and messages I see you and appreciate you all soooo much."
Brown's bandmate Melanie Chisholm marked the singer's birthday with a post that included photos from their time in the Spice Girls.
She wrote: "50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb Oh the adventures we have had!
"I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!
"Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter."
In another social media post, Geri Halliwell-Horner, otherwise known as Ginger Spice, shared a photo of her with Brown and wrote: "Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead."
Horner, 52, left the girl group in May 1998 and though the band split almost three years later, the singers have reformed numerous times over the years.
Emma Bunton, who was known as Baby Spice due to her age, joked that she was not "far behind" when wishing Brown a happy birthday.
In an Instagram post she wrote: "Happy 50th @officialmelb! I'm not far behind you!!! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs."
Also wishing her a happy birthday was Victoria Beckham, who posted a photo of her and Brown featuring handwriting that said: "24th July 96, me and Mel. Tokyo Airport. Going home!!!!"
Fashion designer Beckham, who was known as Posh Spice while in the group, celebrated her 50th last year with a party that saw the singers dance to their hit song Stop.
As well as her singing career, Brown is known for her campaigning and she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University last year in recognition of her work advocating for domestic abuse victims.
In 2022, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service to survivors and she recently featured on Netflix survival series Celebrity Bear Hunt.
Spice Girl band members have flooded Melanie Brown with happy 50th birthday social media messages and a nostalgic photo trip down memory lane.
Brown was known as Scary Spice when she performed in the girl group, which released their first single, Wannabe, in 1996 and had other hits with songs including Stop, 2 Become 1 and Time Goes By.
The music star, who is also known as Mel B, wrote in a social media post on Thursday: "50 today!!! Thank you so much for all the love and messages I see you and appreciate you all soooo much."
Brown's bandmate Melanie Chisholm marked the singer's birthday with a post that included photos from their time in the Spice Girls.
She wrote: "50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb Oh the adventures we have had!
"I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!
"Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter."
In another social media post, Geri Halliwell-Horner, otherwise known as Ginger Spice, shared a photo of her with Brown and wrote: "Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead."
Horner, 52, left the girl group in May 1998 and though the band split almost three years later, the singers have reformed numerous times over the years.
Emma Bunton, who was known as Baby Spice due to her age, joked that she was not "far behind" when wishing Brown a happy birthday.
In an Instagram post she wrote: "Happy 50th @officialmelb! I'm not far behind you!!! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs."
Also wishing her a happy birthday was Victoria Beckham, who posted a photo of her and Brown featuring handwriting that said: "24th July 96, me and Mel. Tokyo Airport. Going home!!!!"
Fashion designer Beckham, who was known as Posh Spice while in the group, celebrated her 50th last year with a party that saw the singers dance to their hit song Stop.
As well as her singing career, Brown is known for her campaigning and she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University last year in recognition of her work advocating for domestic abuse victims.
In 2022, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service to survivors and she recently featured on Netflix survival series Celebrity Bear Hunt.
Spice Girl band members have flooded Melanie Brown with happy 50th birthday social media messages and a nostalgic photo trip down memory lane.
Brown was known as Scary Spice when she performed in the girl group, which released their first single, Wannabe, in 1996 and had other hits with songs including Stop, 2 Become 1 and Time Goes By.
The music star, who is also known as Mel B, wrote in a social media post on Thursday: "50 today!!! Thank you so much for all the love and messages I see you and appreciate you all soooo much."
Brown's bandmate Melanie Chisholm marked the singer's birthday with a post that included photos from their time in the Spice Girls.
She wrote: "50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb Oh the adventures we have had!
"I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!
"Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter."
In another social media post, Geri Halliwell-Horner, otherwise known as Ginger Spice, shared a photo of her with Brown and wrote: "Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead."
Horner, 52, left the girl group in May 1998 and though the band split almost three years later, the singers have reformed numerous times over the years.
Emma Bunton, who was known as Baby Spice due to her age, joked that she was not "far behind" when wishing Brown a happy birthday.
In an Instagram post she wrote: "Happy 50th @officialmelb! I'm not far behind you!!! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs."
Also wishing her a happy birthday was Victoria Beckham, who posted a photo of her and Brown featuring handwriting that said: "24th July 96, me and Mel. Tokyo Airport. Going home!!!!"
Fashion designer Beckham, who was known as Posh Spice while in the group, celebrated her 50th last year with a party that saw the singers dance to their hit song Stop.
As well as her singing career, Brown is known for her campaigning and she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University last year in recognition of her work advocating for domestic abuse victims.
In 2022, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service to survivors and she recently featured on Netflix survival series Celebrity Bear Hunt.
Spice Girl band members have flooded Melanie Brown with happy 50th birthday social media messages and a nostalgic photo trip down memory lane.
Brown was known as Scary Spice when she performed in the girl group, which released their first single, Wannabe, in 1996 and had other hits with songs including Stop, 2 Become 1 and Time Goes By.
The music star, who is also known as Mel B, wrote in a social media post on Thursday: "50 today!!! Thank you so much for all the love and messages I see you and appreciate you all soooo much."
Brown's bandmate Melanie Chisholm marked the singer's birthday with a post that included photos from their time in the Spice Girls.
She wrote: "50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb Oh the adventures we have had!
"I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!
"Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter."
In another social media post, Geri Halliwell-Horner, otherwise known as Ginger Spice, shared a photo of her with Brown and wrote: "Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead."
Horner, 52, left the girl group in May 1998 and though the band split almost three years later, the singers have reformed numerous times over the years.
Emma Bunton, who was known as Baby Spice due to her age, joked that she was not "far behind" when wishing Brown a happy birthday.
In an Instagram post she wrote: "Happy 50th @officialmelb! I'm not far behind you!!! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs."
Also wishing her a happy birthday was Victoria Beckham, who posted a photo of her and Brown featuring handwriting that said: "24th July 96, me and Mel. Tokyo Airport. Going home!!!!"
Fashion designer Beckham, who was known as Posh Spice while in the group, celebrated her 50th last year with a party that saw the singers dance to their hit song Stop.
As well as her singing career, Brown is known for her campaigning and she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University last year in recognition of her work advocating for domestic abuse victims.
In 2022, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her service to survivors and she recently featured on Netflix survival series Celebrity Bear Hunt.
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The Age
19 hours ago
- The Age
‘I am done with being hard on myself': Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm at 51
This story is part of the August 3 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories. It's the clichéd British expat dream – to take up residence at Sydney's Bondi Beach – but for one of the UK's most famous exports, Melanie Chisholm, it was a reality for several months this year. The singer formerly known as Sporty Spice, thanks to her pivotal role in '90s pop phenomenon the Spice Girls, never thought she'd call the famous stretch of coastline her second home, but a coaching gig on The Voice and an Aussie boyfriend gave her a chance to reacquaint herself with a city she's always loved. 'Bondi is the health capital of Australia, if not the world,' she says. 'And being Sporty Spice, it feels like I found my spiritual home. It's a very natural spot for me to be in.' It may be nearly three decades since the Spice Girls conquered the charts with their debut single, Wannabe, but Chisholm, 51, still proudly embodies her famous moniker. Dressed in a casual red-and-white-striped T-shirt and sport-luxe pants, she's already been on an early morning walk before her chat with Sunday Life. She's religious about her three days a week strength training but has come to accept exercise-free recovery days are important, too. 'I have been a 'go hard or go home' person for much of my life, and now trying to slow down is actually quite nice,' she says. Joining the Australian version of The Voice was a no-brainer for Chisholm, having been a coach on the UK children's iteration of the show in 2021. She was drawn to the opportunity to encourage new talent, having experienced what it's like to audition in front of a room full of strangers. 'There are many opportunities to sing on reality TV shows, but with The Voice, it's the only one that's very nurturing and is really all about the talent,' she says. 'It's the only show I am interested in being a part of.' Instead of breaking hearts and shattering dreams, Chisholm is mindful with her coaching advice. 'We always try to leave everybody with constructive criticism and give some guidance if they don't get through the competition,' she adds. A meteoric rise to pop-star status, and the inevitable challenges that follow, is a path Chisholm knows well. When the Spice Girls reached international stardom in the '90s, the shift in gears forever changed the lives of its members: Geri 'Ginger' Halliwell, Victoria 'Posh' Adams, Melanie 'Scary' Brown, Emma 'Baby' Bunton and Chisholm. Born in Lancashire, Chisholm's parents split when she was three years old. She spent most of her time with her mother, Joan, and would go on adventurous school holiday trips abroad with her dad, Alan. Her mother sang in bands, and met her new husband Dennis, a bass player at the time, at a pub in Liverpool. They married and have a son Paul. He's six years younger than Chisholm, and found his sister's fame a bit awkward when he was growing up. 'When I think back to the Spice Girls period of my life, it was more incredible than difficult,' Chisholm reflects. 'It was crazy, exhilarating, exhausting – a fairy tale and the ultimate dream when you're a kid. We were all navigating this new world we found ourselves in. 'The big moments, like being at The Brits [awards] in 1997, were a huge highlight. We'd been around the world, conquered it as we always hoped we would, and to come home and be celebrated was incredible. But being on the other side of it now gives us a new perspective.' Overnight success and the pressures that came with fame during peak Spice Girls mania saw Chisholm grapple with depression and eating disorders, revealed in her 2022 tell-all memoir, The Sporty One: My Life as a Spice Girl. 'I was reluctant to write an autobiography for many years, and the reason was that I needed to be honest and open,' she says. 'There were certain parts of my experience that were difficult for me to unzip. On reflection, it was important to do that, and to know I can be a source of comfort for people who went through similar things. That certainly felt like a good thing to do, even if it was hard. 'It's almost like closing a chapter in my life. It's acknowledging the past – the good and the bad - and looking forward to the next phase of life.' When the Spice Girls called it quits in 2000, Chisholm focused on her solo career. She's released eight albums since 1999 and is in the process of adding the final touches to an album she's been working on for the last two years with English producer Richard 'Biff' Stannard, who's written many songs for Kylie Minogue. 'My new album has been a real labour of love,' says Chisholm. 'It's uplifting and I've had a lot of fun in the dance genre. I am leaning into the club world and my sporty side, which taps into different aspects of my personality.' Chisholm has relished watching Kylie's career boom as the Aussie singer has traversed her 50s, hence her decision to team with Stannard for her own club renaissance. 'Biff helped push Kylie even further into the stratosphere – it's been amazing to see,' she says. It's clear that Chisholm is embracing what Victoria Beckham, now an internationally renowned fashion designer, refers to as 'living life from the fifth floor'. 'When I turned 50 last year, I didn't feel concerned about it too much,' says Chisholm. 'And now, a year on, I've embraced all the positive things about getting older. The physical negatives of being this age are that you wake up with more aches in the morning, but having wisdom and feeling blessed to be alive is such a gift. I am focusing on that. I spent a lot of time being hard on myself, and I'm done with that.' As the 30th anniversary looms for Spice, the band's 1996 debut album, so does the talk of a reunion. The album sold more than 23 million copies worldwide and Wannabe reached No.1 in 37 countries, so the pressure is on to mark the occasion. The band has reunited several times in recent years, including for the closing ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics. And in 2019 there was a tour of the UK and Ireland, though without Victoria Beckham due to her fashion commitments. The five members discuss band matters regularly via a private WhatsApp group, figuring what might be possible for the milestone. 'And there are subgroups within the group,' says Chisholm, laughing. 'I definitely know there is a chat group that doesn't contain me, but somewhere else we keep Ginger or Posh out. Like all friendship groups, we have many ways of communicating.' Chisholm is reunion-ready, still holding onto some of those iconic outfits from the '90s in her mother's attic. 'I wish I had kept more, but I am not a hoarder,' she says. Loading There's also talk of a fashion collaboration next year, but for now she's focusing on new music and leaning into the pleasure of finding love again. 'I have enjoyed getting to know my boyfriend's family and friends – it feels like an extended family to me,' she says. Her Australian boyfriend, Bondi-based model and filmmaker Chris Dingwall, is also giving her a new perspective. (Chisholm has a 16-year-old daughter, Scarlett, with a previous partner, property developer Thomas Starr; they split in 2012.) It took meeting Dingwall, and spending time with him in the Aussie sun, to slow down from her busy pace. 'I am a bit of a workaholic,' she says. 'I decided last year, when I met my boyfriend, that I do have an incredible life. My work enables me to travel and I love what I do. It used to be all work and not a lot of play. I am changing that. 'I saw Barbra Streisand interviewed about her book recently, and the interviewer asked her, 'What is there left to do?' She said, 'I want to live more.' And at that moment, I thought, 'Yes, I want that, too.''
Sydney Morning Herald
19 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I am done with being hard on myself': Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm at 51
This story is part of the August 3 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories. It's the clichéd British expat dream – to take up residence at Sydney's Bondi Beach – but for one of the UK's most famous exports, Melanie Chisholm, it was a reality for several months this year. The singer formerly known as Sporty Spice, thanks to her pivotal role in '90s pop phenomenon the Spice Girls, never thought she'd call the famous stretch of coastline her second home, but a coaching gig on The Voice and an Aussie boyfriend gave her a chance to reacquaint herself with a city she's always loved. 'Bondi is the health capital of Australia, if not the world,' she says. 'And being Sporty Spice, it feels like I found my spiritual home. It's a very natural spot for me to be in.' It may be nearly three decades since the Spice Girls conquered the charts with their debut single, Wannabe, but Chisholm, 51, still proudly embodies her famous moniker. Dressed in a casual red-and-white-striped T-shirt and sport-luxe pants, she's already been on an early morning walk before her chat with Sunday Life. She's religious about her three days a week strength training but has come to accept exercise-free recovery days are important, too. 'I have been a 'go hard or go home' person for much of my life, and now trying to slow down is actually quite nice,' she says. Joining the Australian version of The Voice was a no-brainer for Chisholm, having been a coach on the UK children's iteration of the show in 2021. She was drawn to the opportunity to encourage new talent, having experienced what it's like to audition in front of a room full of strangers. 'There are many opportunities to sing on reality TV shows, but with The Voice, it's the only one that's very nurturing and is really all about the talent,' she says. 'It's the only show I am interested in being a part of.' Instead of breaking hearts and shattering dreams, Chisholm is mindful with her coaching advice. 'We always try to leave everybody with constructive criticism and give some guidance if they don't get through the competition,' she adds. A meteoric rise to pop-star status, and the inevitable challenges that follow, is a path Chisholm knows well. When the Spice Girls reached international stardom in the '90s, the shift in gears forever changed the lives of its members: Geri 'Ginger' Halliwell, Victoria 'Posh' Adams, Melanie 'Scary' Brown, Emma 'Baby' Bunton and Chisholm. Born in Lancashire, Chisholm's parents split when she was three years old. She spent most of her time with her mother, Joan, and would go on adventurous school holiday trips abroad with her dad, Alan. Her mother sang in bands, and met her new husband Dennis, a bass player at the time, at a pub in Liverpool. They married and have a son Paul. He's six years younger than Chisholm, and found his sister's fame a bit awkward when he was growing up. 'When I think back to the Spice Girls period of my life, it was more incredible than difficult,' Chisholm reflects. 'It was crazy, exhilarating, exhausting – a fairy tale and the ultimate dream when you're a kid. We were all navigating this new world we found ourselves in. 'The big moments, like being at The Brits [awards] in 1997, were a huge highlight. We'd been around the world, conquered it as we always hoped we would, and to come home and be celebrated was incredible. But being on the other side of it now gives us a new perspective.' Overnight success and the pressures that came with fame during peak Spice Girls mania saw Chisholm grapple with depression and eating disorders, revealed in her 2022 tell-all memoir, The Sporty One: My Life as a Spice Girl. 'I was reluctant to write an autobiography for many years, and the reason was that I needed to be honest and open,' she says. 'There were certain parts of my experience that were difficult for me to unzip. On reflection, it was important to do that, and to know I can be a source of comfort for people who went through similar things. That certainly felt like a good thing to do, even if it was hard. 'It's almost like closing a chapter in my life. It's acknowledging the past – the good and the bad - and looking forward to the next phase of life.' When the Spice Girls called it quits in 2000, Chisholm focused on her solo career. She's released eight albums since 1999 and is in the process of adding the final touches to an album she's been working on for the last two years with English producer Richard 'Biff' Stannard, who's written many songs for Kylie Minogue. 'My new album has been a real labour of love,' says Chisholm. 'It's uplifting and I've had a lot of fun in the dance genre. I am leaning into the club world and my sporty side, which taps into different aspects of my personality.' Chisholm has relished watching Kylie's career boom as the Aussie singer has traversed her 50s, hence her decision to team with Stannard for her own club renaissance. 'Biff helped push Kylie even further into the stratosphere – it's been amazing to see,' she says. It's clear that Chisholm is embracing what Victoria Beckham, now an internationally renowned fashion designer, refers to as 'living life from the fifth floor'. 'When I turned 50 last year, I didn't feel concerned about it too much,' says Chisholm. 'And now, a year on, I've embraced all the positive things about getting older. The physical negatives of being this age are that you wake up with more aches in the morning, but having wisdom and feeling blessed to be alive is such a gift. I am focusing on that. I spent a lot of time being hard on myself, and I'm done with that.' As the 30th anniversary looms for Spice, the band's 1996 debut album, so does the talk of a reunion. The album sold more than 23 million copies worldwide and Wannabe reached No.1 in 37 countries, so the pressure is on to mark the occasion. The band has reunited several times in recent years, including for the closing ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics. And in 2019 there was a tour of the UK and Ireland, though without Victoria Beckham due to her fashion commitments. The five members discuss band matters regularly via a private WhatsApp group, figuring what might be possible for the milestone. 'And there are subgroups within the group,' says Chisholm, laughing. 'I definitely know there is a chat group that doesn't contain me, but somewhere else we keep Ginger or Posh out. Like all friendship groups, we have many ways of communicating.' Chisholm is reunion-ready, still holding onto some of those iconic outfits from the '90s in her mother's attic. 'I wish I had kept more, but I am not a hoarder,' she says. Loading There's also talk of a fashion collaboration next year, but for now she's focusing on new music and leaning into the pleasure of finding love again. 'I have enjoyed getting to know my boyfriend's family and friends – it feels like an extended family to me,' she says. Her Australian boyfriend, Bondi-based model and filmmaker Chris Dingwall, is also giving her a new perspective. (Chisholm has a 16-year-old daughter, Scarlett, with a previous partner, property developer Thomas Starr; they split in 2012.) It took meeting Dingwall, and spending time with him in the Aussie sun, to slow down from her busy pace. 'I am a bit of a workaholic,' she says. 'I decided last year, when I met my boyfriend, that I do have an incredible life. My work enables me to travel and I love what I do. It used to be all work and not a lot of play. I am changing that. 'I saw Barbra Streisand interviewed about her book recently, and the interviewer asked her, 'What is there left to do?' She said, 'I want to live more.' And at that moment, I thought, 'Yes, I want that, too.''
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Time is irrelevant in love': Dr Chris Brown opens up about new relationship
The Ambassador for Dream Home Art Union reveals the $13 million beachside property on offer in the biggest prize home lottery in Australian history. Vet turned TV host Dr Chris Brown confirmed today that he was officially off the market. Brown has revealed he is dating Queensland TV publicist Lorraine Monforte and that she has already met his family. The notoriously private Dancing with the Stars co-host has always remained tight-lipped when it comes to his dating life. But this morning, Brown revealed he was very 'happy' in his new relationship. Speaking on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie show, Brown tried his best to dodge questions about his new love interest. 'You guys are so fixated on my happiness, but also my personal life,' Brown quipped. After exchanging laughs, the host asked: 'Is her name Lorraine?' To which Brown confirmed: 'Yes, it is Lorraine.' Dr Chris Brown is dating TV publicist Lorraine Monforte. Credit: Supplied/Instagram The new couple posted separate photos from a recent trip to Finland. Credit: Instagram It's believed Brown met Monforte when they worked together at the network. The TV host, long considered one of Australia's most eligible bachelors, uploaded videos from his winter holiday to Finland in March. Though Monforte didn't make an appearance in the posts, she shared her own photos from Finland at the same time — her Instagram account is private. Brown didn't reveal how long they had been dating and refused to answer questions about their first kiss. But he did mention 'love'. 'Time is irrelevant in love, it just drifts,' Brown joked. Before today, Brown has rarely spoken publicly about personal details in his life. My Reno Rules host Dr Chris Brown on Sunrise. Credit: 7NEWS Dr Chris Brown and Sonia Kruger, hosts of Dancing of the Stars, will be on the TV Week Logie Awards red carpet. Credit: Seven/Jeremy Greive But in an interview with Stellar magazine in May 2024, the TV personality opened up about fatherhood. 'I would still like to have kids — I still feel that's very much a priority,' Brown, who was single at the time, said. 'Would I like to have done something about that in the last five years? Probably. But it hasn't worked out that way. 'If it hasn't happened naturally and I'm not a dad yet, then I'm OK with that. I'm not worried. 'I feel like it will happen when it happens. 'The last thing I want to do is force it and end up in a situation where I feel like I've rushed it. 'But, yeah, I'm taking my sweet time.' Brown will join forces with TV host Sonia Kruger this Sunday to host the TV WEEK Logie Awards red carpet.
