Emma Bunton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emma Bunton
Bunton in 2014
Born	Emma Lee Bunton (1976-01-21) 21 January 1976 (age 49) Finchley, Greater London, England
Other names	Baby Spice
Alma mater	Sylvia Young Theatre School
Occupation	Singer songwriter media personality actress
Years active	1992–present
Spouse(s)	Jade Jones ​ (m. 2021)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Pop dance-pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Virgin 19 BMG

Emma Lee Bunton (born 21 January 1976) is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. She became famous in the 1990s as a member of the pop group Spice Girls. Her nickname in the group was Baby Spice because she was the youngest. The Spice Girls have sold over 100 million records worldwide. This makes them the best-selling female group of all time. The group took a break in 2000. Later, they reunited for a greatest hits album in 2007. They also had two concert tours: The Return of the Spice Girls (2007–2008) and Spice World (2019).

Emma Bunton started her solo music career. Her first album, A Girl Like Me (2001), reached number four in the UK. It included hit songs like "What Took You So Long?". Her second album, Free Me (2004), had top-five songs such as "Free Me". In 2019, she released her fourth album, My Happy Place.

Bunton has also been a judge on TV talent shows. These include Dancing on Ice (2010–2011) and Your Face Sounds Familiar (2013). She competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2006. From 2013 to 2018, she co-hosted the Heart Breakfast radio show in London. She still has her own show on Heart Radio on Sunday evenings.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Emma Bunton was born in Finchley, London. Her mother, Pauline, was a karate instructor. Her father, Trevor, was a milkman. Her parents separated when she was 11 years old. She lived with her mother after that. Emma has a younger brother named Paul James. Her family on her mother's side comes from County Wexford, Ireland. Emma went to St Theresa's Roman Catholic Primary School.

She later attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School. There, she became friends with actress Keeley Hawes. They lived and traveled together for six months.

Bunton appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1992. She played a mugger. In 1993, she was in the ITV police drama The Bill. She also appeared in a BBC drama called To Play the King. Bunton was also in a public information film about firework safety.

Music Career Highlights

Becoming a Spice Girl (1994–2000)

In 1994, Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell, and Victoria Adams answered an advertisement. About 400 women tried out for a new group. These four, along with Michelle Stephenson, were first chosen. Michelle Stephenson was later replaced by Emma Bunton. The group was not happy with their first management.

In October 1994, the group started looking for new managers. They showed their songs and dance routines to music industry experts. Everyone loved them! Because of this, they signed with Simon Fuller of 19 Entertainment in March 1995. They then signed a deal with Virgin Records in September 1995.

On 8 July 1996, the Spice Girls released their first song, "Wannabe". The music video was shown on TV before the song came out. "Wannabe" became a huge hit! It was number one in the UK for seven weeks. It also topped the charts in 34 other countries. It became the best-selling song ever by an all-female group. They had nine more number-one songs from their albums Spice, Spiceworld, and Forever. The media gave each member a nickname. Emma Bunton was called "Baby Spice".

Other popular songs included "Say You'll Be There" and "2 Become 1". From Spiceworld, they had "Spice Up Your Life" and "Stop". In 1999, Emma hosted a show called Emma on VH1. She also sang a song for the movie Pokémon: The First Movie. In November 1999, she released her first solo song, "What I Am". In 2000, after their album Forever, the Spice Girls stopped recording. They wanted to focus on their solo careers.

Solo Albums: A Girl Like Me and Free Me (2001–2005)

Bunton performing in Dublin in 2004

Emma's first solo album, A Girl Like Me, came out on 16 April 2001. It reached number four on the UK album chart. The first song from the album, "What Took You So Long?", was number one in the UK. Other songs like "Take My Breath Away" also did well. The album sold over 100,000 copies in the UK.

After leaving Virgin Records, Emma signed with 19 Recordings. This company was run by the Spice Girls' former manager, Simon Fuller. Her second album, Free Me, was released on 9 February 2004. This album was inspired by Motown music from the 1960s. Critics really liked it. It reached number seven in the UK. The album had three top-five songs in the UK: the title track "Free Me", "Maybe", and "I'll Be There". In the US, "Free Me" and "Maybe" were popular in dance clubs. In 2005, Bunton appeared in the Bollywood film Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets.

Life in Mono and Spice Girls Reunion (2006–2008)

Bunton performing at G-A-Y in 2006

In October 2006, Emma was a contestant on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. She danced with Darren Bennett and finished in third place. On 13 November 2006, Emma released a song for the BBC Children in Need charity. It was a cover of the 1960s song "Downtown". It reached number three in the UK. Her third album, Life in Mono, followed. This album also had a 1960s pop music style. It reached number 65 on the UK album chart.

In 2007, the Spice Girls got back together. They announced a tour called The Return of the Spice Girls. They also released a greatest hits album in November 2007. The tour started on 2 December 2007. A film about the tour, Spice Girls: Giving You Everything, was also made. The Spice Girls also appeared in Tesco advertisements.

Spice Girls Musical and Olympics Performance (2010–2014)

Brown, Chisholm, Halliwell, Bunton, and Beckham at the Viva Forever premiere

A musical based on Spice Girls songs, called Viva Forever, was created. The Spice Girls helped with the show's cast and production. The musical opened in London on 11 December 2012. It used their music but told a new story. The show closed in June 2013.

On 12 August 2012, Emma and the Spice Girls performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. They sang "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life". This was a big moment and was the most tweeted moment of the ceremony. Emma also sang with Melanie C on her 2012 album, Stages. In March 2013, Emma was named the Foxy Bingo Celebrity Mum of the Year. In 2014, Emma helped record England's World Cup song. She sang "Greatest Day" with other pop stars.

New Music and Second Spice Girls Reunion (2018–Present)

Emma Bunton in December 2019

In June 2018, Emma Bunton announced she was working on new music. In November 2018, she signed a record deal with BMG Rights Management. She was preparing a new album.

In September 2018, she voiced Mama Bear in the UK version of the animated movie Smallfoot. The movie was a success. In November 2018, Bunton reunited with the Spice Girls again. They announced a UK and Ireland Stadium tour, Spice World - 2019 Tour. The tour started on 24 May 2019 and ended on 15 June 2019.

On 27 February 2019, she released "Baby Please Don't Stop", the first song from her new album. She also released "Too Many Teardrops" and a duet with her partner Jade Jones. On 12 April 2019, Emma released her fourth album, My Happy Place. It included two new songs and eight cover songs. The album reached number 11 on the UK Album Chart.

In November 2019, Bunton released a Christmas song, "Coming Home For Christmas". She also covered "Santa Baby". On 6 December 2019, Emma performed her first solo show in over ten years. It was a special Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

On 20 December 2024, Bunton released an orchestral version of "2 Become 1". She performed the song on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Other Activities

Radio Work

In 2009, Emma Bunton was a guest presenter on Heart London's Heart Breakfast. She started hosting her own Saturday radio show on Heart in June 2009. From 2013 to 2018, she co-hosted Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston. In March 2017, Bunton won awards for "Radio Presenter of the Year" and "Digital Radio Programme". She won these for her work on Heart London. In January 2018, she started a new Sunday night show.

Bunton at a photoshoot for her Argos fashion line in 2014

Emma left Heart London Breakfast in 2018 to focus on the Spice Girls tour. She still presents the Sunday Evening Heart Show.

Television and Film Appearances

Bunton has appeared in a TV commercial for the supermarket Tesco. She also had a small role in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. In July 2008, Bunton filled in as a co-presenter on the TV show Richard & Judy. In October 2008, she helped judge Dannii Minogue on The X Factor. In December 2008, Bunton joined the panel on Loose Women.

In February 2010, Bunton was in a UK TV campaign for Heart Radio. In January 2010, she joined the "Ice Panel" as a judge on Dancing on Ice. She left this role in December 2011. Bunton hosted Channel 5's Don't Stop Believing in 2010. She also guest presented Lorraine several times.

In January 2012, Bunton appeared in a BBC revival of Absolutely Fabulous. In August that year, she had a small role in Keith Lemon: The Film. In 2013, Bunton was a judge on Your Face Sounds Familiar. In 2015, Bunton had a cameo in the Spanish comedy film Cómo sobrevivir a una despedida. In March 2016, Bunton co-presented Too Much TV on BBC Two. She also voiced Muhimu in The Lion Guard.

In 2017, she was a judge on the TV show Boy Band. In 2018, she was a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Since 2018, she has hosted The Great American Baking Show. In 2022, she was a contestant on The Circle with Mel B.

Fashion Line

In 2011, Bunton worked with the British store Argos. She launched a series of children's clothing lines.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Emma Bunton has supported many charities. In 1999, 2001, and 2003, she helped Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. This charity helps children with disabilities through music. In April 1999, she helped launch a campaign against child abuse. She also made commercials about firework safety. In 2000, Bunton supported Children Nationwide. This charity raises money for research into childhood diseases.

In 2006, she was an ambassador for BBC's Children in Need. She released the charity song "Downtown" to raise money. In 2011, Bunton was an ambassador for Heart's Have a Heart campaign. This campaign helps homeless people.

In 2013, she supported UNICEF's campaign to get vaccines for mothers and newborns. In 2014, she became a UNICEF ambassador. She traveled to Africa to help with humanitarian work. In April 2015, Bunton helped launch a contest with Specsavers. Each entry raised money for Kidscape, an anti-bullying charity.

Personal Life

Bunton performing with husband Jade Jones in 2019.

In 1998, Emma Bunton started dating British singer Jade Jones. He was from the group Damage. They had an on-and-off relationship for a while. They got back together in 2004. On 26 January 2007, Emma announced she was pregnant. Their first child was born on 10 August 2007. Their second child was born on 6 May 2011.

Emma and Jade got engaged on 21 January 2011. They married on 13 July 2021.

Emma Bunton is also a godmother to Geri Halliwell's daughter, Bluebell Madonna Halliwell. Bunton supports Tottenham Hotspur football club.

Legacy

Actress Emma Stone, whose real name is Emily Stone, was inspired by Emma Bunton. When Emily Stone first registered for the Screen Actors Guild, the name "Emily Stone" was already taken. So, she decided to use the name "Emma" because she loved Emma Bunton.

Discography

• A Girl Like Me (2001)
• Free Me (2004)
• Life in Mono (2006)
• My Happy Place (2019)

Filmography

Television

Film

Concert Tours

• Live in Concert (2001)
• Free Me Tour (2004)
• Emma Bunton's Christmas Party - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2019)
• Emma Bunton and Friends (2022)

Radio Shows

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Bunton in 2014

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  Bunton performing in Dublin in 2004

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  Bunton performing at G-A-Y in 2006

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  Brown, Chisholm, Halliwell, Bunton, and Beckham at the Viva Forever premiere

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  Bunton at a photoshoot for her Argos fashion line in 2014

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  Emma Bunton in December 2019

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  Bunton performing with husband Jade Jones in 2019.

See also

In Spanish: Emma Bunton para niños