Thirty years ago, five young women — soon to be known as the Spice Girls — ran into the cavernous gothic Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras station in London and caused a ruckus. They were brash, loud and unapologetic – and it made them worldwide stars. It was the 1996 film clip for ‘Wannabe’ that launched the Spice Girls to global stardom and Melanie C, aka ‘Sporty Spice’, now 52, remembers it as if it were yesterday.
“The hotel was dilapidated at the time, so we had to dress the set,” Melanie recalls to TV WEEK.
“The budget wasn’t huge and we were trying to do the video in one take, so we rehearsed all the time. We got dressed in a Winnebago out the front and we were just so excited. And, yes, I did a back flip every single time – oh, the energy of being that age. I wish I had half that now!”
Their rascal energy and catchy pop lyrics quickly caught the world’s attention: “I think ‘Wannabe’ captured the chaos that came with us,” says Mel, whose bandmates famously include Mel ‘Scary Spice’ Brown, Emma ‘Baby Spice’ Bunton, Victoria ‘Posh Spice’ Beckham and Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell.
By the time of the next video, for ‘Say You’ll Be There’, everything looked a bit different. Filmed in the Californian desert with high-end costume and production, “You can see, oh the girls have done well!” Melanie laughs of their rapid success.
But, for all the loud noises they made, the singer asserts that they didn’t simply disrupt the industry as a publicity stunt. It was their way to be heard when record companies didn’t have any interest in female pop bands.
“I am a good girl, by nature,” Melanie says with a smile. “So, I’m actually quite thankful to the other girls. You know, we would go about our business like that: going into record companies or publishing houses and doing back flips on the tables, knocking papers off people’s desks.
“We wanted to make our presence felt because we learnt very quickly that the industry wasn’t interested in girls: they wanted boy bands. We had a point to prove, to show people they were wrong.”
The Spice Girls would go on to dominate the charts and create a radical shift in pop culture. They didn’t conform in any way to their predecessors, and praised individuality. They even left their original management and continued to sell out global tours, releasing three hit albums and a film, Spice World (1997), all while putting female empowerment back in vogue with their ‘Girl Power’ slogan.
“Who are you to tell us what we can and can’t do?” Melanie says of their defiance. “If we were ever told ‘no’, it just added fuel to the fire.”
Tongues firmly in cheeks, the Spice Girls found support in all quarters, including with the royal family.
Their regal connections date back to 1997, when they were invited to play at a Prince’s Trust gala in Manchester. They were spirited, excited and broke plenty of royal protocols in their meeting with then-Prince Charles – including pinching his bottom – all taken in good humour.
Mel says with a laugh of the now-King Charles: “I try to be more respectful now! I haven’t actually seen him since he became King but we have great memories and, when we have caught up over the years, we reminisce and have a good chuckle about the early days.”
Mel also recalls meeting Prince William and Prince Harry at high tea where “they made us peanut butter on toast”, adding that they were young teenagers at the time and bickering like any ordinary brothers. “It was really fun.”
When we ask if the Spice Girls would exist today or be as successful, she acknowledges they were formed in a “different time” and she’s thankful to have experienced the highs and lows of it all before social media emerged.
“People didn’t have smart phones in their pockets, you know? We were able to get away with a bit more. The culture has changed so much,” she sighs. “But I do feel like the world could do with the fun and joy that the Spice Girls brought.”
While the world awaits a reunion to mark 30 years, Mel can’t confirm anything but she does say the group would consider doing a documentary. “We’d love to do that,” she says. “There’s never been a definitive one and it would be beautiful to celebrate all the things we did.”
The reunion is not for lack of trying either, she says, but, between the five of them, there’s been little time. Earlier this year, Mel married her partner, model Chris Dingwall, in Sydney, with her daughter, Scarlett, 17, as bridesmaid.
As a DJ and solo performer, Mel has released nine studio albums and continues to play at festivals around the world. She is constantly on the go.
“There are a lot of plane rides and packed suitcases but that’s been my life for 30 years,” she says. “My partner is, of course, Australian and this country has really opened up to me. I spend a good few months in Australia and I can relax here.”
Mel is back as part of The Voice judging panel alongside Richard Marx, Ronan Keating and Kate Miller-Heidke. One of Kate’s contestants took the win in 2025 and, when we mention there’s been no talk of bragging rights from the Aussie star, Mel jokingly retorts: “What a load of s**t!” She points out that the win truly comes down to the artist.
“At the end of the day, Australia chooses their favourite – we just help them along to the best of our ability. We find the person who rises to the occasion.”
Mel says she was nervous in her maiden year on the show, but now she’s ready to lead the next rising star to victory.
“To be in that big red chair the first time was pretty daunting, so I was keen to come back this year with experience,” she says.
“We’ve seen amazing talent already and have been so inspired. Honestly, I’m just so glad to be back.”
The Voice airs Monday, 7.30pm and Sunday, 7pm on Channel Seven and 7Plus.
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