Melanie on Jesus Christ Superstar!

The girls are not on the list of 86 tracks selected for the opening ceremony and Mel is hoping they won’t be ignored altogether

When Olympic organisers released a playlist for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games, there was one notable omission.

Some of Britain’s greatest chart-toppers appeared in the pick of 86 tracks, including David Bowie, Oasis, Sugababes, Arctic Monkeys, Duran Duran, Blur and Coldplay.

But, unbelievably, there was no space for the Spice Girls.

And band member Mel C reveals that she won’t be happy if the girls are snubbed by ceremony director Danny Boyle.

Sporty Spice declares: “I don’t know exactly where this list has come from, and obviously sometimes things come out that aren’t quite right.

“But I’d be really upset if the Spice Girls weren’t included in the Olympics, whether it be the opening or closing ceremonies or any other playlists, because I think we absolutely represented Britain in the 90s.

“We literally flew the flag – and Geri even wore it – around the globe.”

Mel, full name Melanie Chisholm, adds: “We were proud to be British and to be successful internationally, and we were the last band probably to do that.

“So I think it would be a real shame if we weren’t acknowledged in some way at the Olympics.”

It’s not the only showpiece event this year not to feature the record-breaking group, who formed in 1994 with members Mel C, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Adams (now Beckham).

Fans had anticipated the five girls could reform earlier this year for the Diamond Jubilee concert, organised by Take That frontman Gary Barlow.

And Mel reveals that the group were invited to play but turned down the opportunity.

When some of the girls voiced their disappointment on Twitter, it sparked rumours that Victoria had been the one to turn down the chance to perform.

Mel, 38, says: “There’s a lot of speculation around the Diamond Jubilee concert.

Gary Barlow did approach us about performing and we were absolutely honoured – we would have loved to do it.

“But there are five of us in the Spice Girls with five different careers.

“It’s not just about turning up on the day, it’s about rehearsing and things, so we had to respect other people’s wishes.

“I would have liked to do it. I was gutted I wasn’t there.”

Even though huge No1s like Wannabe, Spice Up Your Life and 2 Become 1 may not feature at the Games, the band’s most athletic member is throwing herself into a new role supporting Team GB.

Mel C, who competed in last year’s Virgin Active London Triathlon, credits a love of sport with helping her to overcome a battle against depression.

“Luckily I’ve been well for over 10 years now,” Mel explains. “But at the time the key to my getting better was looking after myself.

“That was basically eating well, not drinking too much alcohol, and being active.

“Sport gave me my confidence back. You get those endorphins, it’s good for your self-esteem, and also just having contact with other people because it can be quite a lonely world.

“There are community gyms, boot camps, something for everyone and I absolutely recommend it over any pharmaceutical help.

“Different things work for different people – the key for me was keeping active and sleeping well, which helped keep my depression at bay.”

Her love of sport meant the opportunity to become involved in the Olympic Games was too good to miss, and Mel says she was honoured to be asked.

She says: “When I was growing up as a kid I had two ambitions, one of them was to be a pop star and the other was to be an Olympic gymnast – so I’ve managed one.

“I went along to the Olympic Ball last year where I met the organisers, who asked me about getting involved with the Olympic Association. I’ve always had a love of sport and have enjoyed watching the Olympics ever since childhood, so I jumped at the chance.

“I’ve been working on some fundraising for different events in the run-up to the Games.

“We had a big show at the Royal Albert Hall with Gary Barlow, Will Young and Alfie Boe performing.

“And, of course, we had William and Kate there which was massive. It was absolutely brilliant and we raised loads of money.

“Then I was invited to be one of the ‘Great Britons’ to promote the Games. I’m hoping we can get the whole nation on board and excited.

“It’s such a great opportunity and we need to grab it with both hands because there has to be a great legacy from hosting the Olympics.”

And the mum-of-one hopes that legacy will have an impact on her own daughter, Scarlet, who she welcomed into the world with long-term partner Thomas Starr in 2009.

She smiles: “I was lucky enough to carry the Olympic torch up in Birkenhead.

“My little girl was there to watch, waving her Team GB scarf. It was such a proud moment – she tells everyone that Mummy carried the torch.”

Mel adds: “Life has changed so much since I was growing up. We used to play outside in the park until it was dark.

“But now lots of kids are playing computer games and some parents are scared to let them out in the evenings.

“With Scarlet, I want her to have fresh air. I try to get her outside every day for a run around. She’s got so much energy, as all kids do.

“It’s only natural for children to want to run and get themselves out of breath. We have to keep giving them the opportunity to do that and encourage it.

“Sport in schools is so important because some families don’t have the chance to get their kids involved in those things.

“One of the problems we face as a nation is that we’re not active enough – having the Games here means we’ll have all those fantastic facilities after its all finished.

“It’s so important for kids to get into sport, whether it’s badminton, table tennis, swimming or diving.

“The Olympics will bring new opportunities to try out new activities they may not have tried before.

“It’s great for young people to have a hobby – it’s social, it’s good for self-esteem, it’s good for communities.

“And you never know, we could end up finding Olympic medal-winning Team GB champions of the future.”

Mel struck gold with property developer Thomas back in 2002, when they met during a holiday in Barbados.

But she says that the couple have no plans to tie the knot any time soon, adding: “We’re happy the way we are. We’ve been together for 10 years and we have a beautiful daughter.

“We share a home together and that’s good enough for us.”

* TO show your support for Team GB you can purchase the official supporters’ scarf from Next, in store or online at www.next.co.uk. You can also join Our Greatest Team and leave messages of support for the athletes at www.teamgb.com/our-greatest-team.

Source: Mirror
Author: Simon Boyle

Despite claims that fellow band members have had a huge bust up!

There’s been reports of an apparent rift between some members of feisty girl group The Spice Girls recently, however ‘Sporty Spice’ Mel C has insisted that she’s ‘cool’ with the rest of the girls.

Press Association have quoted the band member as saying: ”Of course we have fallouts occasionally, like any group of friends. But personally for me, I’m cool with all the girls and all the girls are cool with me, so that’s good.”

She further explained that she tries to meet up as much as possible with her former bandmates saying: ”The four of us without Melanie B all saw each other in January. I saw Geri yesterday and Emma last week. It’s hard to get all five of us at one particular time, but I see all of the girls.”

However, sources have told Closer that it is a completely different story between fellow band members Geri Halliwell and Mel B, following their appearances as guest judges on the X Factor recently.

Sources have since said that the ginger-haired singer is annoyed at her competitors, especially Mel, saying: “Geri was gutted her guest role didn’t become permanent.

She’s told pals she texted Mel saying: ”Congrats on getting my job!” “It”s a bit odd - as Mel hasn”t got the permanent role” “Mel”s told pals that she has nothing against Geri. She hopes it will blow over,” the source added.

Ouch, put the claws away ladies! Take a tip from Mel C…

Source: Entertainmentwise
Photo: WENN.com

Mel C says motherhood is the ”hardest job in the world” but she wouldn’t change it for the world.

Thanks melaniecnews!

It has been announced that actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders (Photo) will be writing the script for Viva Forever – the new Spice Girls musical, which will portray friendship, celebrity and fame with the music of the Spice Girls.

Judy Craymer, the producer of the show as well as the current West End hit Mamma Mia!, confirmed the appointment in a statement saying : ”Having Jennifer Saunders on board is the best possible start Viva Forever can have’ and continues to praise Saunders’ talents by adding “Jennifer is brilliant at writing about these themes and the Spice Girls’ songs connect powerfully in a smart and moving way.”

It is not the first time Saunders has had a connection with the Spice Girls as she had a cameo in the 1997 Spiceworld film.

Jennifer stated: “I’m thrilled and terrified at the same time. It is very exciting to be writing a musical that encompasses the music and energy of the biggest girl-band of all time. My daughters grew up with The Spice Girls, I had to do it for them as well as myself. It’s been great fun working with Judy Craymer. We have had some hilarious days together in the process so far.”

The musical is being produced by Craymer in association with Universal Music, Simon Fuller and the Spice Girls, and is expected to hit the West End in 2012.

Fuller, the Spice Girls’ manager, added: “The girls and I are really happy that Jennifer is writing the book. She has really identified and incorporated what the Spice Girls represent to women around the world.”

Source: London Theatre Direct

A new interview by BBC Radio Wales in which Melanie talks about “Jesus Christ Superstar”, the new album & of course about the Spice Girls!

On the new album, Melanie said: “I’m working on a new album which will be out later this year, which is a bit more musical theatre inspired. It was something that I really was inspired to do after working in Blood Brothers. It reminded me of my love of musical theatre, so I’ve been searching through all the wonderful songs that I’ve always wanted to record but never had the opportunity. So that’s something that I’m getting ready for, later this year…”

source: Listen to @MelanieCmusic talking @ITVSuperstar and the #JCSArenaTour with BBC Radio Derby: http://goo.gl/0w3b1 - scroll to 46.14 bbc.co.uk
thanks melaniecnews

Today Melanie C visited some local Radio Stations by the BBC. Heres todays interview from BBC Derby!

Thanks MelanieCNextEra

Disco-diva DJ Jodie Harsh and Girl Power royalty Melanie C are spicing up our lives with an unlikely poptastic alliance. So how did this happen?! Well it was actually a chance meeting at a 4 year olds Birthday Party. Chatting music over fairy cakes rather than cocktails or perhaps both, the two pieced together an idea to make some sugary electro-pop anthems for us all to get down to (back handsprings if possible). The Night EP’s three tracks Walk Away, Sunrise and Set You Free are fresh off the mic and here’s what Jodie’s got to say about it all…

What are you doing today, right now? I’ve just watched Drive on DVD, which I loved, and stuffed my face with pizza. Sundays are cheat days, I eat salad and steamed fish most other days. Rock and roll!

How does it feel to have a song in the charts with (the best) Spice Girl IN SO MANY COUNTRIES? It’s awesome! I’m really proud, especially because it’s my first original release. Everything else has been remix productions, so for my first proper single to feature vocals from such a legendary singer, and for it to chart worldwide, I’m really, really over the moon. It charted all over Europe and South America and is number 16 on the independent singles chart here in the UK…it’s just all good really. I’m glad people like the music!

How did you both meet? We met at a child’s 4th birthday party. My friend Jo is a friend of Melanie’s and hit it off over pass the parcel. I sent her some music and suggested we write some tracks together. Originally we wrote for her album The Sea but the music was just to dancey, and her album was more rock-pop. We waited for her to finish touring that album then released The Night, with three of the tracks we wrote together, by digital download. It’s been quite an underground release - we promoted on social media and blogs as opposed to TV and magazines. We went for the digital approach as it’s not a traditional pop release - we weren’t about to perform on Daybreak with me miming a DJ set in the background and Melanie doing a dance routine…that would have been CRINGE!!

Did you share style tips? Actually not really. She has some great clothes though - there’s a mauve Acne jacket in her wardrobe that I really want to borrow. I think it’s safe to say that in general we have contrasting looks.

What did you wear in the studio? Jeremy Scott for Adidas - day wear!!

What is your favourite track together? I really like Sunrise, it’s the sort of Ibiza, hands-in-the-air moment. Melanie loves Walk Away, it’s more her usual ballad style but with a trip-hop beat and strings added in.

Now you have ticked “record number one hit with Mel C” off your to-do list, what is next? There are so many people I want to work with. A huge list! I’ve done a couple of remixes this month for artists which will be out in June, I assume. I’m launching a new club night, CLOUD, which launches this Friday at Moonlighting, and should hopefully remind people of those early days at Circus in Soho Revue Bar - lots of dressing up and crazy moment.

I remember teaching you to Dj at the first Circus! I’m very proud of you … what’s the best Djing tip that you can share with our readers? I know! I owe it all to you, missy :-) The best tip is…learn to read the crowd. You’re playing for them, not yourself. if you can keep them happy with stuff they know they want to hear, and educate them with new tracks they aren’t aware of but are going to love, then you’re onto a winner.

Source: The Beat Juice
Author: Hanna Hanra

Melanie C on The Spice Girls musical, her love for musical theatre, the new ITV show “Superstar” and of course her upcoming “Jesus Christ Superstar” Arena Tour!

To download the video in HD quality, head over to our download page!

Thanks very much dylwys!!