𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙳 𝙾𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕:
𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚒 𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚔𝚊 𝙶𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝙶𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚜 𝟸𝟶 𝚈𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝙰𝚐𝚘
This wasn't like any pop group departure, like when Kevin Richardson momentarily left the Backstreet Boys in 2006, Zayn Malik leaving One Direction in 2015, C*mila C*bello leaving Fifth Harmony in 2016, or [insert some irrelevant group member] leaving [some group no one knows or cares]. The Spice Girls were at the height of their success as a global phenomenon and earning millions with their name on almost any product you can imagine, albeit reaching a point of overexposure after two and a half years of Spicemania.
On May 27th 1998, the Spice Girls were set to perform on the National Lottery to promote their single at the time "Viva Forever", which apparently was still a big deal for them to perform. Mel C did the honor of phoning in a reason of why Geri Horner fka Geri Halliwell did not make an appearance, stating that she was sick and wishing her to 'get well soon' -
Little did they know that they saw the last of Geri being part of the band just days before. She made her official announcement of departure on May 31st 1998 while she was a tax exile in France.
The Power of 5:
It made #headlinesfriendship never ends and devastated young fans, especially because it was before they were about to embark the American leg of the Spiceworld Tour (and also right before a European date). The girls' brand emphasized the #poweroffive with each member being as important as the next, ignoring you Posh haters.
Retrospectively, Spice Girls fans recognized the oddness during the final months of the Spice Girls as a five piece. The girls made the bold move of firing their manager Simon Fuller 7 months prior after realizing about how much they were overworked. The press were skeptic about the decision because he was the 'mastermind' of leading the girls to where they were, but it seemed like a win for the girls to take more control.
Aesthetically speaking, the girls were changing too. Their outfits were toned down and less of their usual 'spice' personalities in daily wear - Geri's hair was no longer fiery red, Mel B's fro was shorter, Emma was wearing less babydoll dresses and more suits, and Victoria was becoming more personable and even smiling [more often] in their interviews, performances, and press photos... everything was just different:
In their interviews, the Geri's presence was starting to fizzle out.
The role of Ginger:
Ginger Spice was basically their head pr member with her outspokenness and remarks about the group's ambition, girl power, and politics (and not to discredit the other girls who did the same). Just note the classic Geri #antics like being flirty with Prince Charles when they met the royals, and her last minute DIY union jack dress which became an iconic symbol for the group and of the 90's.
Her personality really clashed with member Mel B who was also known for her big personality. Together, they made up a volatile relationship. It's been known that these two connected well at first because of their dynamics in the group and because they both felt they met someone at their 'level'. This also meant frequent conflict.
Fans conspire with the idea Geri and Mel B had more than a friendship, given Mel B was experimental. Mel B's ex-boyfriend recounts that Mel B took Geri's exit the hardest because they were very close (see video at the end). It might be a stretch but this could have added to why Geri did not want to stay in the group.
Over the years Geri varied the reasons why she left, so here's a short roundup:
- The 'breast cancer campaign': Supposedly Geri was asked to be a spokesperson or endorse breast cancer awareness, but with the tight Spice Girls schedule, she was not allowed to. This triggered her to feeling like she was unable to do things on her own terms and lost the sense of control.
- She felt that her role in the group was not needed: Since she was the oldest member, she had that 'lead' member cap on since day one. As the girls started to achieve success, it somehow meant that her importance in the group was diminishing. The girls were also discussing solo projects by this point.
- Quarter-life crisis: In her Geri documentary, Geri confessed that her father passed away right before the beginning of the group. Being thrown into the whirlwind of a soaring pop career, she did not have time to cope with his death (also noting that she witnessed his dead body found in his home which she described in graphic detail). On top of dealing with loss, she was battling eating disorders and body dysmorphia. It became to much too handle. Luckily she had her idol growing up George Michael, who became a close friend to console her during the time she left and gave advice as she started her solo career.
The Spice Girls released "Goodbye" as their first single as a four-piece, and also dedicated a couple of tracks in reference to the fall out. As much as people want to undermine this era, the Spice Girls still did have a successful musical release with Forever, which spawned three more UK #1 singles for the group. It was a different image and sound, but a big shift nonetheless.
Geri had some success in her career too with several hit singles, including the debut "Look At Me", featuring the infamous death of Ginger Spice, and the campy disco tune "Bag It Up". She very much carried the ginger spice attitude in her music, while critics were calling her desperate to become the next Madonna.
Looking forward:
Years later, Geri knew she made a huge mistake and sort of regretted the decision once she saw the girls were still succeeding with their r&b sound during 1999-2000. Of course the girls eventually forgave her and still thanked her at the Brit Awards in 2000 when both parties were performing separately.
In the end, what happened needed to happen.
It made an interesting turn of events in Spice Girls history given the fact that a pop act like them can reign supreme for only so long.
With Geri leaving, it gave them the push for reinvention and the girls to keep going as long as they could.
I must say they kind of burned out in the right way, rather than faded. But they still reunited for that reunion tour in 2007! #cashthatcheck
Peace, love, girl power, and #friendshipneverends
And here are the points she made in her own words:
OP might not have been existing long enough to be aware of life an active fan during the actual Spice Girls' heyday so if there is anything to mention/edit from this moment in #herstory it would be much appreciated!
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