The singer and former Spice Girl, 37, discusses her competitive nature, motherhood and how she deals with dark days with Stylist's therapist Lisa Merrick-Lawless.
You’ve just released your fifth album, The Sea. It’s your first album in four years, how has your music changed?
My music has always been an expression of whatever period in my life I’m going through. Since becoming a mother [to daughter Scarlet in February 2009] I feel courageous. I’ve had an ‘I can do anything’ attitude and want to make Scarlet proud of me. That’s really benefitted my music as it’s made me work with new collaborators. I’ve discovered who I am as an artist. Quite often in my career I’ve read about a person I don’t recognise. What you’re giving out isn’t necessarily what’s picked up. I’ve worked in the music industry for 15 years and with the Spice Girls, I was all about pop music, but there are many other sides to me. I love bands like Foo Fighters and Queens Of The Stone Age.
In your single Think About It you sing, ‘only regret what you don’t do’. Any ambitions still to fulfil?
Being part of the Spice Girls meant I realised a lot of my ambitions early, but it would be scary to think, ‘I’ve done that now’. I feel most alive when I’m working on something new, so I want to continue working solo. I’ve had a lot of solo success in other countries but I’d love to have a hit record in the UK [Mel has already had two UK number ones]. A couple of years ago I starred in Blood Brothers in the West End so I’d love to work on Broadway one day.
What are you most proud of from the Spice Girls era?
From the start we knew we had something special, but people weren’t interested in girl groups – it was all about boy bands. We thought, ‘Sod that. If you’re telling us a girl band can’t be successful we’ll bloody well show you.’ Smash Hits didn’t want us on their cover because girls didn’t sell magazines. When we became really successful we finally made their cover and it was their biggest-selling issue, so we proved our point [laughs].
What’s your favourite Spice Girls song?
We did some beautiful ballads like 2 Become 1 and Viva Forever. But my absolute favourite is Goodbye. It’s bittersweet because we recorded it just after Geri had left the band.
Is there any Sporty Spice still in you?
I’ve just done a triathlon so there must be. I was initially reluctant to do the group’s reunion tour in 2007, but once I’d spent time with the girls again I was sure. When I was on stage singing Wannabe it felt so natural. I think I’ll always have a bit of Sporty Spice in me.
Do you feel you’re in competition with the other Spices?
I’m becoming less competitive. When we all put out solo records I did feel competitive, but everyone has branched out now. I feel established and happy with who I am.
You’ve been open about having suffered from eating disorders and depression. Was that cathartic?
When I first spoke out I was still in the middle of it all. Part of me feels like it’s important to talk about what I’ve been through because it can help other people. When I had bulimia I felt embarrassed and if I read an article where a sufferer talked about it, that made me realise I wasn’t alone. So I wanted to be able to do that for other people but the interest in it never goes away. I recently did 14 interviews in one day and I was asked about it each time, which was exhausting. But it’s good to be open and, when she’s old enough, I’ll talk to Scarlet about it all.
What role do you play in your group of friends?
I’m definitely not the social gatherer and if I wasn’t given a kick up the bum I’d never go out. In the Spice Girls I was the carer. It’s funny because I was the last of us to become a mum but I’m really maternal and I like to make things better with tea and cuddles.
Melanie C’s single, Think About It, and album, The Sea, are out now.
Instant Life Coach: How to overcome regret
Lisa says: Mel’s new song Think About It includes the words “only regret what you don’t do”. It’s inevitable that you’ll make decisions that you’ll later wish you hadn’t and these feelings can be difficult to overcome. Here are some tips on how to move on:
Figure out what you regret
One of the key steps is to take a step back from your emotions and identify exactly what it is that you regret. Was it something you did or didn’t do? Like Mel, most people regret missed opportunities the most but ask yourself. Were these beyond your control?
Look to the future
Dealing with regret can mean confrontation. If you have wronged others, apologise and try to make amends. Then forgive yourself. Recognise the mistake you’ve made and promise yourself you won’t repeat it again. Focus your thoughts on the lessons you’ve learned and the opportunities that are now yours going forward.
Don't dwell on it
Recognise that although regret is unavoidable, you shouldn’t dwell on it. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Techniques can be a useful way of changing your mindset. If you find yourself ruminating, do something energetic like going for a run to help you banish negative thoughts.
