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Chris

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Deadlands

by Victoria Miluch

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Sep 04, 2023 12:10PM

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The Sporty One: My Life as a Spice Girl

by Melanie Chisholm

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Chris said: " What to say about this book. This book might give you a new appreciation (or an appreciation) for The Spice Girls. They didn't have things handed to them as you might think. They both worked very hard and took ownership and control of their direction What to say about this book. This book might give you a new appreciation (or an appreciation) for The Spice Girls. They didn't have things handed to them as you might think. They both worked very hard and took ownership and control of their direction and career. But I am getting ahead.

Melanie begins with her childhood in Liverpool. Her family didn't have much but they were loving and supportive. Her parents divorcing shook some of her foundation but she remained close to both as well as step parents. These years both gave her some strengths and some insecurities that would really come out later.

She talks about her love for dancing and, later singing, both things she started very young, especially dancing.

Then the Spice Girls happened. There is a lot about that but I just want to say again that reading this will make you realized they weren't just "prefab" or "puppets".

With the success and fame came some downsides. An impossibly grueling schedule, constant scrutiny about her and the other girls' weight, appearance, behavior, etc.

This in combination which Melanie realized is depression and anxiety led her into an eating disorder. She will tell you that she wasn't being sporty in those years. She was being obsessive. Always exercising but never fueling or resting. Which of course compounds the depression and so the cycle goes on.

You will read about the Spice Girls coming undone beginning with Geri leaving. They were never hypocrites about girl power and being friends but that much pressure in that short at time at that young an age is a recipe for blowouts. But I don't think it's a spoiler to see those fences were later mended. The 2019 Reunion tour being the icing on that cake.

But this book isn't just about Sporty Spice. It's about Melanie Chisholm. She gets very candid about the things mentioned above and finally realizing she needed help and getting it. And she is very encouraging to any of us who go through any of those things. To get help. But more than that to know we aren't alone.

Thank you for this book, Melanie C. Thank you for your voice. ...more "

Dec 09, 2022 07:54AM · see review