Spice Girl Mel C Reveals Sexism Nearly Undermined Group’s Success
MONMOUTHSHIRE, WALES – Mel C, formerly known as Sporty Spice of the iconic 90s group the Spice Girls, has revealed the band faced significant sexism that almost derailed their meteoric rise to fame.In a recent interview on ABC’s Take 5 with Zan Rowe, Mel C discussed the challenges of navigating a male-dominated music industry and how those obstacles nearly prevented the Spice Girls from achieving global superstardom.
“There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Mel C told Zan Rowe. Despite achieving massive success – working with musical heroes like Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney – she acknowledged the uphill battle the group faced. Now a mother to 16-year-old Scarlett Starr and residing in the countryside of Monmouthshire, Wales, Mel C continues to perform worldwide as both a singer and DJ, reflecting on a career forged through perseverance.
The singer explained that her younger self, a “rave-loving Liverpool teenager,” would be “pretty damn proud” of her accomplishments. “I don’t think she knew what was coming, but she was hoping for something that breathtaking.” mel C’s comments offer a rare glimpse behind the glitter and platform boots, highlighting the systemic barriers women faced – and continue to face – in the music industry.
Listeners can stream all episodes of Take 5 with Zan Rowe for free on ABC iview and find extended podcast episodes on the ABC listen app.