Spice Girls Reunite For World Tour

 

The Spice Girls have announced their long-awaited reunion. After months of speculation, Victoria Beckham, Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell are to go on a comeback tour. Mel C, 33, (Sporty Spice) said of their reunion: "We wanted to say thank you to our fans. It just feels very right for us."

 

Reflecting the group's global appeal, the tour will begin in Posh Spice Victoria Beckham's new home of Los Angeles on December 7, before visiting Las Vegas, New York City, London, Cologne, Madrid, Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town and Buenos Aires. They will appear in London on December 15.

 

So, why now? And what have they been up to since they originally disbanded in 2001?

 

 

 

Victoria Beckham (Posh)

Despite being arguably the least talented Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham (nee Adams) today enjoys the highest profile and healthiest bank balance of them all thanks to her eight-year marriage to former England football captain David Beckham.

 

She initially tried to forge a solo career following the group's demise in 2001 but her debut single was famously beaten to the number one slot by Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) in a battle the tabloids dubbed 'Posh vs Posher'.

 

Despite massive promotion, subsequent musical efforts met with disappointing sales and she has since concentrated on motherhood, her fashion range, and getting chummy with Hollywood stars like Katie Holmes.

 

Why Is She Doing It?

Well, she certainly doesn't need the money. Judging by comments she made last year, she's more likely to be doing it for the camaraderie. "I'm never going to sing again, unless it was a chance to do something with the Spice Girls. I don't really miss the shows we did together. I miss the girls more", she told the Sunday Mirror. Also, it can't hurt to boost her profile in the States in time for David's opening season with LA Galaxy.

 

Mel B (Scary)

Mel B has enjoyed a varied if not hugely successful career since the Spice Girls split up, having been involved in music, theatre, TV, and film projects. Most recently she has been in the news for having Eddie Murphy's baby, although he refused to acknowledge paternity until she had taken a test.

 

It's largely forgotten today that she was the first Spice Girl to achieve a solo number one when I Want You Back (a song written for her by Missy Elliott) went to the top of the charts during the height of the Spice Girls' popularity back in 1998.

 

It is believed that she scuppered an earlier reunion at Live 8 two years ago. The only member to decline, she cited 'other commitments' which are now known to have been a sitcom project she was working on.

 

Why Is She Doing It?

The sitcom obviously didn't see the light of day, did it? Also, what better way to stick two fingers up to Eddie Murphy (who she has apparently taken to calling 'The Beverley Hills Co*k')? Revenge is a dish best served during a multi-million dollar spinning world tour.

 

Mel C (Sporty)

The most prolific and successful solo Spice, Mel C always seemed the most frustrated by the group's pop/R&B formula. Her first attempt to forge her own identity came in 1998 when she duetted with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams on top three hit When You're Gone. Her debut solo album, Northern Star, followed the next year while the Spice Girls were still going.

 

Amazingly, Mel C is now second only to Madonna in terms of female songwriters, having co-written no less than 11 UK number one singles.

 

Now signed to her own label, Red Girl Records, Mel has so far released four solo albums and enjoys a sizeable fanbase throughout much of Europe.

 

Why Is She Doing It?

Harder to say than the others. She is understood to have been opposed to a reunion until fairly recently (Bob Geldof's Live 8 proposal is thought to be the first time she gave it serious consideration), so maybe it's just the passage of time. As she said herself at today's press conference, "A girl's allowed to change her mind...the time is right."

 

Emma Bunton (Baby)

Although her girl-next-door niceness was the perfect foil for the other Spice Girls' more raucous personalities, it didn't bode well for a solo career. Having said that, she has managed seven top 10 solo hits. Her most recent album peaked at a lowly 65 though.

 

She has kept herself in the public eye via a number of high-profile TV appearances, notably Absolutely Fabulous and Strictly Come Dancing, in which she came third. Somewhat improbably, she is also reported to have won the lead female role in The Pink Panther 2.

 

To a certain extent, the timing of the Spice Girls' reunion has been dictated by Bunton's pregnancy. Her first child with long-term boyfriend Jade Jones is due in the summer.

 

Why Is She Doing It?

As the least willful member of the group, it's difficult to imagine Emma having any objections if the others were all up for it. More to the point, a successful tour should give her faltering solo career a boost.

 

Geri Halliwell (Ginger)

Geri's leaving the Spice Girls in May 1998 was the ultimate cause of their eventual split 18 months later. If her career since seems like a faintly risible mix of yoga, ostentatious charity work, terrible cover versions (remember It's Raining Men?) and hanging out with George Michael, that's only half the story.

 

It's easy to overlook the fact that four of her first five post-Spice singles went to number one, although her musical fortunes have since dipped dramatically.

 

Having become a mother for the first time last year, Geri seems to have a number of irons in the fire. Recent reports hint at a new solo album, while she is confirmed to be presenting a reality TV show on ITV and has signed a six book deal around her children's character Ugenia Lavender.

 

Why Is She Doing It?

Although the exact details of her leaving the group have never been confirmed, rumours of a falling out with Mel B have long been accepted as fact. This is the perfect way to kiss and make up.