Melanie Chisholm, known as Mel C or Melanie C, rose to fame as Sporty Spice in hit 1990s girls group the Spice Girls. She was born on 12 January 1974 in Whiston, Lancashire and is 50 years old. She will now go from singing ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ to starring on Who Do You Think You Are?, as she appears on the BBC family history TV show on Thursday 29 August 2024. Here’s five things you might not know about the singer…
1. Ballet beginnings
Before belting out hits like ‘Wannabe’ and ‘Say You’ll Be There’, Mel C trained extensively in ballet from a young age.
2. Musical magic
Beyond her music career, Mel C has made significant strides in theatre. She starred in the West End production of Blood Brothers, earning critical acclaim and even a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards.
3. Helping hand
The star is deeply involved in various charitable activities and has used her platform to support numerous causes. She has participated in charity events such as Sport Relief and has been an advocate for mental health charities.
4. Mental health hero
She has spoken openly about her struggles with eating disorders and depression during her time with the Spice Girls. Her journey towards recovery has been an inspiration to many, highlighting the pressures of fame and the importance of mental health.
5. Focus on fitness
Mel C isn’t just Sporty in name. She has always been an ambassador of fitness and discipline. Having the advantage of being athletic since her childhood, Mel has kept that up with a rigid fitness routine including gym sessions, yoga and mixed martial arts.