Singer Geri Halliwell: ‘There were no expectations with Wannabe’
‘Ginger Spice’ reflected on the success of the Spice Girls’ debut in 2008.
Geraldine Halliwell-Horner was born in 1972 in Watford, to a Spanish mother and an English- Scandinavian father. She grew up on a council estate and by her own admission, her family faced ’financial hardship’. But, at an early she showed ambition, and thanks to her potential as a performer, earned places at Watford Grammar School for Girls and later Camden School for Girls.
It was in 1994 that she successfully auditioned for a new girl group that would become the Spice Girls. At the height of the group’s success, Halliwell was arguably the loudest champion of their iconic 'girl power' slogan. Her fiery red hair, platform boots, and historic Union Jack dress at the 1997 Brit Awards cemented her as an pop culture icon of the decade.
After leaving the band in 1998, she had solo music career and authored novels for children and young adults.
We’re releasing this episode in the week Wannabe by the Spice Girls turns 30. The video was filmed at the St Pancras Hotel, then the Midland Grand.
Robert Elms spoke to Geri Halliwell in 2008.
