Melanie C, the former Sporty Spice, has opened up about her raver days, Spice Girls mania, impostor syndrome, and her date with Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis in a candid interview with fans. As she releases her clubby new album Sweat, the singer answered questions on everything from her early 90s raving experiences to her iconic tattoos and the infamous Sex Pistols cover.
Early Raving Days
Melanie C revealed that she discovered raving on her first holiday without parents, alongside three college friends. It was the first environment where she heard house music and saw people dancing and expressing themselves freely. 'I was like, Oh my God, I've found my people,' she recalled. She also frequented Berwick Manor in Essex and the Cross in King's Cross, though her raving days were short-lived as the Spice Girls took off soon after. She compartmentalized that part of her life until she started DJing eight years ago.
Spice Girls Schedule and Social Life
Once the Spice Girls launched, her schedule became brutal, leaving little time for socializing. 'All of my wildest dreams were coming true, but real life was put on hold,' she said. The tabloid media and paparazzi were relentless, so the group tried to keep a low profile during downtime.
Tattoos and Image
Melanie C was one of the first women in the public eye with visible, large tattoos. She got her first tattoo with the Spice Girls in LA at Tattoomania, picking designs off the wall. She loves her tattoos, noting that they helped her create an image worthy of being a pop star and made her look less ordinary.
American Accent Confusion
When the Spice Girls conquered America, they made a conscious effort to speak slower and clearer to avoid confusion. 'It drives my daughter mad,' she said, adding that even now in America, ordering food can feel like speaking a foreign language.
Red Hot Chili Peppers' Song 'Emit Remmus'
Melanie C shared the story behind the Red Hot Chili Peppers' song 'Emit Remmus,' which Anthony Kiedis wrote about her. Producer Rick Rubin played the track for her in his Rolls-Royce. She felt flattered but embarrassed by the saucy lyrics. She confirmed that she and Kiedis went on a date, though it wasn't a fully formed relationship. She also recalled having dinner with Madonna at the end of the Spiceworld tour in 1998.
What Spice Would She Be?
When asked which spice she would be, she humorously suggested 'five spice' because of her versatility in musical theatre, DJing, television, and radio.
Girl Power Phrase
Addressing the origin of the 'girl power' phrase, Melanie C acknowledged that the band Shampoo had a single called 'Girl Power' in 1996. She didn't recall exactly how the Spice Girls adopted it but said they were big fans of Shampoo.
Moment Life Changed
The moment she knew life would never be the same was when the Spice Girls returned from Japan in 1996. 'Wannabe' had gone to No. 1 in the UK while they were away, and fans were waiting at the airport. 'That was when Spice mania really hit,' she said.
Scouse vs. Salt and Pepper Chips
Choosing between scouse (a Liverpool stew) and salt and pepper chips, she picked scouse. 'It immediately takes me back to my childhood,' she said, though she has never made it herself and plans to learn from her mother.
Sex Pistols Cover
A fan asked about a festival performance where she sang 'Anarchy in the UK' with altered lyrics: 'I am an antichrist. I am a sporty spice.' Melanie C confirmed it happened at V99, where she joined Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols on stage. She recalled being pelted with bottles and possibly urine during that baptism of fire.
Lyrics Regret
Regarding the lyrics 'I couldn't live without my phone, but you don't even have a home' from her 2000 single 'If That Were Me,' she has no regrets. She noted that the line was niche at the time but now rings true. However, she does regret moments in her personal life when lack of confidence affected her music, but not on the new album Sweat.
Fitness and Strength
Melanie C revealed her bench press numbers: barbell 38kg and dumbbell 40kg. She started strength training after a school incident where a girl tried to beat her up. She asked for a weight bench from Argos for Christmas to be able to handle herself.
Impostor Syndrome and Sporty Tag
She believes all humans experience impostor syndrome, and if you don't, you're a psychopath. When she released Northern Star, she wanted to be seen as an individual beyond Sporty Spice. Now she accepts and loves Sporty Spice as a huge part of her performer identity.
Spice Girls and Salt-N-Pepa
Melanie C expressed enthusiasm for a potential collaboration between the Spice Girls and Salt-N-Pepa. She recalled listening to them before the Spice Girls had management, trudging the streets of London rapping in her head. She suggested that Spinderella could go back-to-back with her.
Melanie C's album Sweat is released on 1 May via Virgin. Her North American tour begins 5 June at Outloud festival in Los Angeles, and her UK and EU tour starts 18 October at 3Olympia theatre in Dublin.
