Melanie C facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melanie C
Chisholm performing in July 2019
Born	Melanie Jayne Chisholm (1974-01-12) 12 January 1974 (age 51) Whiston, Lancashire, England
Other names	Mel C Sporty Spice
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Partner(s)	Thomas Starr (2002–2012)
Children	1
Relatives	Paul O'Neill (half-brother)
Musical career
Genres	Pop rock
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Red Girl Virgin
Signature

Melanie Jayne Chisholm (born 12 January 1974), known as Melanie C or Mel C, is an English singer and songwriter. She became famous in the mid-1990s as a member of the pop group Spice Girls. In the group, she was known as Sporty Spice. 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. They later reunited for a greatest hits album (2007) and two concert tours: The Return of the Spice Girls (2007–2008) and Spice World (2019). Melanie C is known for her unique singing voice.

Melanie C started her solo career in late 1998. She sang on the single "When You're Gone" with Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams. She then signed with Virgin Records to release her first solo album, Northern Star (1999). After leaving Virgin Records, Melanie C started her own record company, Red Girl Records. She released her second album, Reason (2003). Her third album, Beautiful Intentions (2005), is her most successful solo album so far. It was number one in Portugal for 9 weeks and had popular songs around the world. She continued to release albums like This Time (2007), The Sea (2011), Stages (2012), Version of Me (2016), and Melanie C (2020).

Melanie C has won many awards. These include three World Music Awards, five Brit Awards, and three American Music Awards. She has sold over 130 million records in her career. She has also earned over 335 music certifications worldwide. This includes 44 silver, gold, and platinum awards as a solo artist.

In 2009, Melanie C performed in the West End musical Blood Brothers. She was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her role. Her autobiography, Who I Am: My Story, was released in 2022.

Early Life and Beginnings

Melanie Jayne Chisholm was born on 12 January 1974. She grew up in Widnes, Cheshire. Her mother, Joan O'Neill, was a secretary and singer. Her father was Alan Chisholm. Her parents separated when she was four. She has a half-brother, racing driver Paul O'Neill.

After school, she studied dance, singing, drama, and musical theatre. This was at the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts in London. While in college, she saw an advertisement in The Stage newspaper. It was for a new girl group, which later became the Spice Girls. She left college early to join the group.

Music Career Highlights

The Spice Girls Era (1994–2000)

The Spice Girls performing "Say You'll Be There" at the McLaren party, in 1997

In 1994, Melanie C, along with Mel B, Geri Halliwell, and Victoria Beckham (then Adams), answered an ad for a new girl group. About 400 women tried out. These four, plus Emma Bunton, formed the Spice Girls. They signed a deal with Virgin in 1995.

Their first album, Spice, was a huge success worldwide. It reached number 1 in over 17 countries. The album was about "Girl Power". It sold 30 million copies globally. This made it the best-selling album by a girl group ever. Their first single, "Wannabe", was number 1 in 37 countries. Other songs like "Say You'll Be There" and "2 Become 1" also topped the charts in the UK.

In 1997, they released their second album, Spiceworld. Its first two singles, "Spice Up Your Life" and "Too Much", also reached number 1 in the UK. The album sold 20 million copies worldwide. The group also starred in their own movie, Spiceworld: The Movie. It earned $100 million at the box office. After Geri Halliwell left in 1998, the group released "Goodbye". It became their third Christmas number-one song in the UK, matching The Beatles' record.

On 30 November, Melanie C released her first solo song. It was "When You're Gone" with Bryan Adams. The song reached number 3 in the UK.

Solo Success: Northern Star and Reason (1999–2003)

Chisholm performing in Madrid in 1999

In 1999, Melanie C signed with Virgin Records for her solo career. She released her first solo single, "Goin' Down", on 27 September. It reached number 4 in the UK. Her first album, Northern Star, came out on 18 October 1999. It sold 4 million copies worldwide. The song "Northern Star" was also a hit.

In 2000, Melanie C had a big hit with "Never Be the Same Again". This song, featuring TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, became her first number 1 solo single. It was very popular across Europe. After this success, she released "I Turn to You". This song also reached number 1 in the UK and other countries.

After their solo projects, the Spice Girls released their third album, Forever, in late 2000. Songs like "Holler" and "Let Love Lead the Way" were number 1 in the UK. The group then announced they were taking a break.

Melanie C went on her first world tour, the Northern Star Tour, from 2000 to 2001. She performed 76 shows in 30 countries.

Chisholm in 2003

Melanie C started recording her second album in 2001. Her second album, Reason, was released on 10 March 2003. It reached number 5 in the UK. The first single from the album was "Here It Comes Again". She then went on the Reason Tour in Europe. The second single, "On the Horizon", was released in June 2003.

Starting Her Own Label: Red Girl Records (2004–2006)

In 2004, Melanie C started her own record label, Red Girl Records. She wanted to have more control over her music. The label's name was inspired by the colors of the football team Liverpool F.C., which she supports.

In April 2005, she released "Next Best Superstar". It was the first single from her third album. The song reached number 10 in the UK. On 11 April, she released Beautiful Intentions, her first album on Red Girl Records. It was produced by Greg Haver and Guy Chambers. The album was certified gold in Germany and Switzerland.

She toured to support the album with the Beautiful Intentions Tour. It started in April and went across Europe and Asia. "First Day of My Life" was released as a single in Australia and Europe. This song was very successful, reaching number 1 in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Portugal.

This Time and Spice Girls Reunion (2007–2008)

Chisholm performing in 2007

In early 2007, Melanie C finished her fourth album. She released two singles at the same time in March. "The Moment You Believe" was released in Europe and reached number 1 in Spain and Portugal. "I Want Candy" was released in the UK and Italy.

On 30 March, she released her fourth album, This Time. It included thirteen songs, with six written by Melanie C. The album reached number 57 in the UK. "Carolyna" was released as the third single. Melanie C wrote this song after watching a documentary about homeless young people.

Spice Girls performing in 2007

On 28 June 2007, the Spice Girls announced they were reuniting for a world tour. It was called The Return of the Spice Girls. The tour started in Vancouver on 2 December. Each member received about £10 million for the tour. A documentary about the reunion, Giving You Everything, was also made.

The Spice Girls released a new single, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)", on 5 November. It was a charity song for Children in Need. They also released a greatest hits album, Greatest Hits, in November. The tour earned over US$70 million. After the tour, Melanie C went on her fifth solo tour, the This Time Canadian Tour, in May 2008.

Acting and More Music (2009–2014)

In October 2009, Melanie C made her acting debut on stage. She played Mrs Johnstone in the musical Blood Brothers. She performed in the show until the end of 2010. She was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role.

In 2011, she released "Rock Me" as a single in Germany. It was the official song for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. "Think About It" was released worldwide. Her fifth album, The Sea, came out on 2 September. It reached number 45 in the UK.

Melanie C was a mentor assistant on The X Factor Australia in 2011. In 2012, she was a judge on the ITV show Superstar. This show looked for an actor to star in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Melanie C co-starred in the musical as Mary Magdalene. She won Best Supporting Actress in a musical at the Whatsonstage.com Awards for her performance.

Chisholm at the Gibraltar International Jazz Festival in 2013

Inspired by her stage work, Melanie C recorded an album of musical theatre songs. Her sixth album, Stages, was released on 7 September 2012. It featured songs important to her life. She also sang on "I Know Him So Well" with Emma Bunton.

In 2013, she collaborated with British singer Matt Cardle on "Loving You". The song reached number 14. On 12 January 2014, Melanie C celebrated her 40th birthday with a special show for fans called Sporty's Forty.

Television and Version of Me (2015–2018)

In 2015, Melanie C became a judge on Asia's Got Talent. She lived in Malaysia while the show was filmed. In October, she was a mentor assistant on the game show Bring the Noise. She also started working on her seventh album.

Her seventh album, Version of Me, was released on 21 October 2016. In May 2017, she performed a duet with Keith Urban on the Graham Norton Show. In June, Melanie C performed for the first time in Brazil. In late 2017, she was a co-headliner for Night of the Proms in Europe. In 2018, she started performing DJ sets and went on the Melanie C - Asia Tour 2018.

Chisholm in 2018

More Spice Girls and Melanie C Album (2019–2022)

On 5 November 2018, Melanie C and the Spice Girls announced another reunion tour. She, Melanie B, Emma Bunton, and Geri Halliwell reunited for the Spice World – 2019 Tour. This was a 13-date tour in the UK and Ireland. It was their first tour in a decade. The tour started in Croke Park, Dublin, on 24 May 2019. It ended at Wembley Stadium in London on 15 June 2019.

On 6 November 2019, Melanie C released the single "High Heels". It featured the drag act Sink the Pink. She also shared that she was working on a new album.

Melanie C released her self-titled eighth album, Melanie C, on 2 October 2020. The album reached number 8 on the UK Albums Chart. This was her first top 10 album since 2003. Singles from the album included "Who I Am", "Blame It on Me", and "In and Out of Love". She performed "Who I Am" live on The Late Late Show with James Corden from her home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In November 2020, Melanie C was part of "Stop Crying Your Heart Out". This was a charity single for Children in Need. In August 2021, she received the "Celebrity Ally" award at the British LGBT Awards.

On 1 September 2021, the Spice Girls announced Spice25. This was a re-release of their first album to celebrate its anniversary. Melanie C also appeared as a contestant on series 30 of the American show Dancing with the Stars. She finished in eleventh place. In November, she was a judge again on The Voice Kids. Her mentee, Teen Torrin Cuthill, won the series.

Who I Am: My Story and Recent Work (2022–Present)

In February 2022, Melanie C was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World. In July 2022, she was featured on a new version of "When You're Gone" with Bryan Adams. She also headlined Northern Pride in Newcastle with a DJ set.

On 15 September 2022, Melanie C's memoir, Who I Am: My Story, was released. The American version was called The Sporty One: My Life as a Spice Girl. She promoted the book with a tour in the United States and the UK.

On 4 November, the Spice Girls released Spiceworld25. This was the 25th anniversary edition of their 1997 album. In November 2022, Melanie C received the Inspirational Artist Award at the Music Week: Women in Music Awards. In December, she performed a duet with Alfie Boe for Royal Carols: Together at Christmas.

In January 2023, Melanie C starred in the dance show how did we get here at Sadler's Wells Theatre. She performed at many festivals in England and Europe in summer 2023. In July 2023, she was featured on the single "Call Me A Lioness". This song celebrated the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. In November 2023, she went on a two-week DJ tour in Australia.

In January 2024, Melanie C performed a special show at Koko, London, for her 50th birthday. She confirmed she would release new music in 2025. In August 2024, her family history was explored on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?.

Personal Life

Chisholm in 2005

Melanie C has spoken about her past struggles with an eating disorder. She shared that she felt like a "robot" from over-exercising. She learned how to take better care of herself.

Melanie C was in a relationship with Thomas Starr for ten years. They separated in 2012. In February 2009, Melanie C gave birth to a daughter. She said that becoming a mother was very important for her. It helped her realize she had a responsibility to herself and her child. From 2015 to 2022, she dated her manager, Joe Marshall.

Melanie C supports Liverpool F.C. football club. She also enjoys being an amateur triathlete. She has completed the London Triathlon twice.

Philanthropy and Charity Work

Melanie C has supported many charities. In 2000, all money from her single "If That Were Me" went to the Kandu Arts charity. In 2012, she joined the Sport Relief telethon. She also ran a three-mile "Sport Relief Mile".

In 2013, Melanie C took part in a Comic Relief challenge called Through Hell and High Water. She canoed down difficult rapids of the Zambezi River with other celebrities. They raised over £1 million for charity. In 2014, she went to Ghana to support a campaign by Procter & Gamble. This campaign provides clean drinking water to African children. She also donated money from her annual calendar to a homeless charity.

Artistry and Style

Musical Influences

Melanie C has said that Madonna is her biggest musical influence. She admires Madonna's hard work and strength. She also named Blur, Oasis, Suede, and the Cardigans as inspirations for her first album.

Voice and Musical Style

Melanie C's voice is known for being able to sing different styles and genres. It has a unique sound. Her music is generally pop and rock.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Girl Power slogan on display at the 2017 Women's March in Sacramento, California

As "Sporty Spice" in the Spice Girls, Melanie C often wore tracksuits and athletic shoes. She had her long dark hair in a high ponytail. She also had a tough attitude and tattoos. On her left arm, she has a black Christian cross tattoo. On her upper-right arm, she has two Chinese characters. They mean "female" and "force," which together represent "girl power." She was also known for her athletic skills, like being able to do back handsprings.

The Spice Girls helped create the "Cool Britannia" idea. This was a new image for Britain in the 1990s. The group's success changed the global music scene. They helped bring about the wave of teen pop acts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These included Hanson, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and NSYNC.

Spice Girls dolls with Sporty Spice

The Spice Girls are also credited with opening doors for other girl groups and female pop singers. In the UK, their success led to many new girl groups forming. These included All Saints, Atomic Kitten, and Girls Aloud. Many artists today, like Little Mix, Lady Gaga, and Adele, say the Spice Girls were a major influence on them.

Some of Melanie C's solo songs have been used in films. "Ga Ga" was in Big Daddy. "Go" was in Whatever It Takes. "Suddenly Monday" was in Maybe Baby. "I Turn to You" was featured in the film Bend It Like Beckham. Her song "First Day of My Life" was very popular in German-speaking countries. It was used as the theme song for the German TV show Wege zum Glück. Her song "Rock Me" was the official theme song for German TV channel ZDF's coverage of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Discography

Studio albums

• Northern Star (1999)
• Reason (2003)
• Beautiful Intentions (2005)
• This Time (2007)
• The Sea (2011)
• Stages (2012)
• Version of Me (2016)
• Melanie C (2020)

Filmography

Stage Performances

Concert Tours

Melanie C holds a record for attendance at a free concert. This was during her show on a float at the 2019 Global Pride Tour in São Paulo. About 3.7 million people attended.

1990s

• Girl Power! Live in Istanbul (1997) (with the Spice Girls)
• Spiceworld Tour (1998) (with the Spice Girls)
• Christmas in Spiceworld Tour (1999) (with the Spice Girls)
• From Liverpool to Leicester Square (1999)

2000s

• Northern Star Tour (2000–01)
• Reason Tour (2003)
• The Barfly Mini-Tour (2004)
• Beautiful Intentions Tour (2005)
• The Return of the Spice Girls Tour (2007–08) (with the Spice Girls)
• This Time Canadian Tour (2008)

2010s

• The Sea Live (2011–12)
• Sporty’s Forty (2014) (One night only)
• The Christmas Tour (Spike Edney) (2014)
• Version of Me Tour (2017–2018)
• Spice World – 2019 Tour (2019)

(with the Spice Girls)

• Global Pride Tour (2019)

2020s

• Colors and Light Live Stream (2020)
• Melanie C Tour (2022–2023)
• Melanie C Birthday Show (2024) (One night only)
• Melanie C Live Events (2024)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Melanie Chisholm para niños