Mel B talks Spice Girls reunion, her new-found confidence and awkward MBE moment

It’s fair to say Mel B has had quite the ride both in and out of the spotlight since rocketing to fame in one of the world’s biggest girl bands back in the 1990s. From selling out stadiums with the Spice Girls, to going solo and moving on to become a talent judge as well as much more, the newly-engaged 48-year-old could definitely look back on her career with great fondness if she decided to quit fame for good.

Such a move isn’t something she’s contemplating for now, however, as Mel tells Express.co.uk about her career plans, whether a Spice Girls reunion is on the cards and the secrets to her jaw-dropping physique, as she encourages others to feel confident in their skin with Pour Moi’s Own Your Confidence campaign.

Beginning with what’s to come in 2024, the mother-of-three shared: “I’ve got so much going on. I’ve just done a new version of America’s Got Talent so it was great to be back with Heidi [Klum], Howie [Mandel] and Simon [Cowell], I’ve got the Masked Singer Australia coming up and the thing I’m most proud of is the new chapters I’ve done for Brutally Honest which comes out in March.”

Mel first released her autobiography back in 2018 in which she dived deep into the struggles behind her glamour and success, particularly about her 10-year marriage to Stephen Belafonte. The Spice Girl claimed she was mentally and physically abused by her ex, claims he has vehemently denied. Of the new chapters, she continued: “It’s such an emotional journey for me and I’m so happy to be able to share it.” Now in a happier place, Mel announced her engagement to hairdresser Rory McPhee last year, three years into their relationship.

The topic of her upcoming wedding plans is off the cards for now, as is confirmation on Spice Girls reunion rumours, following the success of the band’s comeback tour with Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell-Horner and Mel C in 2019. Reports have claimed Victoria Beckham could have finally been persuaded to join them on stage next year after she previously ruled out a return to focus on her fashion brand.

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Mel spilled: “Of course there’s always my girls, the Spice Girls but I can’t say much because I’m always getting told off for blabbing secrets.” Geri was also quizzed about a potential reunion during an interview on BBC Radio 2 last week, to which she said: “At some point I’d love to do something. I love seeing them it’s always nice. When the stars are alligned, at some point.”

Of her bandmate’s words, Mel still remained coy, adding: “I will leave it with Geri saying we are reuniting. Go Ginger. And Victoria Beckham is a very famous and very brilliant fashion designer. But she’s also a Spice Girl. Just saying.”

The talent judge looks back on the group’s latest tour as one of her most treasured moments, as well as the release of her autobiography, becoming a patron for Women’s Aid as well as being honoured with an MBE last year for her services to charitable causes and vulnerable women, to name a few.

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Recalling how the special day went at Buckingham Palace, the Spice Girl shared just how awkward her mum Andrea felt meeting Prince William for the first time at the ceremony. “I’ve known him since he was a young boy and we made peanut butter and jam sandwiches in his kitchen at Kensington House,” she recalled.

“He told me how proud he was of me and that he never thought he’d be standing there pinning a medal to my chest for the work I’d done as Patron of Women’s Aid. He also met my mum who literally didn’t know what to do with herself, she was bright red in the face not knowing whether to curtsey or bob up and down.”

On the subject of family, Mel’s eldest daughter of three Phoenix, 24, is also making a name for herself in the showbiz world as a DJ and model. “I’m so proud of her,” the talent judge gushed. “She’s doing incredibly well modelling, DJing and generally finding her own feet. But I’m most proud of Phoenix for being the woman she is.

“She’s got her head screwed on right. She’s always been by my side. She wrote her own chapter in my book and she also is a big supporter of Women’s Aid, going into schools to talk to other teenagers about how abuse effects families.”

The mum and daughter duo have partnered up with Pour Moi again for the brand’s Own Your Confidence campaign. Whether you’re working out, relaxing at home, getting dressed up for a special occasion or simply need to update your underwear draw, the fashion retailer prides itself on having an item for every shape in a range of sizes and beautiful colours.

Mel knows all too well about rebuilding confidence after a difficult relationship “eroded” hers. She explained: “It’s pretty hard to feel good when you are constantly told you are fat, you are ugly, you look old. It’s taken me a long time to build my confidence back up.

“Body confidence whatever shape or size you are is a huge thing for a woman. Pour Moi are all about embracing your size and shape and celebrating it. They were also happy to give a percentage of profits to Women’s Aid, I’ve been patron for five years now and it’s so important to me. I love the message of owning your confidence. Own it, keep it and don’t let anyone take your confidence away.”

On how she maintains her incredible physique, Mel went on to say: “Like loads of others, I definitely put on weight in lockdown and I’ve worked hard to get my body back to where I want it to be. The big secret is there is no secret. It’s about looking after your body. I exercise, I eat clean food, a lot of vegan food or vegetarian food.” Mel also credits the likes of swimming, yoga, having ice baths and relaxing in a sauna as ways to stay healthy, both mentally and physically, but admits: “I also have days where I eat fish and chips or cheese toasties – you have to keep everything in balance.”

For more information and to shop Mel’s favourite confidence boosting pieces, visit here.

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