We debate whether the Spice Girls reunion is just a group of has-beens cashing in or the second wave of girl power
Writer Jenny Stallard says the news is Too Much and the Spice Girls should be left in the 90s, while journalist Suzanne Baum can’t contain her excitement at the thought of their pop hits dominating the charts again
THE Spice Girls are set to reunite after Victoria Beckham finally said yes.
The five pop divas will get £10million each for new projects – with Posh believed to have sought assurance she will not have to sing.
Victoria, Mel C, Mel B and Emma Bunton gathered at Geri Horner’s London pad today to discuss their comeback, which has been masterminded by their old manager Simon Fuller.
"This is the pop reunion no one thought would ever happen again," a source close to the band revealed. "But after a long period of negotiation Victoria agreed the time is right to work on new projects this year.
“It’s very exciting because she has always been adamant she wouldn’t go back.”
The group are considering TV projects in China, a new TV talent show, endorsement deals and a compilation album celebrating their greatest hits.
But is their comeback just a group of has-beens cashing in or the second wave of girl power? Two Spice Girl superfans battle it out.
A Spice Girls reunion? Too Much! Let’s leave them in the 90s with my platforms and dodgy hair ‘do, says Jenny Stallard
I knew all the moves to Spice Up Your Life, the lyrics to Say You’ll Be There and watched Spiceworld The Movie on VHS.
Geri Halliwell was my favourite Spice. She was ballsy, outspoken and her hair was (almost) as badly dyed as mine.
But will I be downloading any new albums or going to a reunion concert with my mates? No thanks.
A reunion tour could spoil the Spice Girl legacy. Time will tell, but I believe they just about got away with the London 2012 Olympics as one last hurrah. That was their big ‘Goodbye’.
Yes, they encapsulated so many things for young women – being yourself, being cheeky, saying it how it is, girl power. The feelings are still there, but they don’t have to be there in a concert, memorabilia or countless interviews which - I fear as a non-mum - will just descend into talk of motherhood faster than you can say ‘Two Become One’.
Little Mix is storming it as ‘the’ girl band of the moment. Why compete with that? Let them take the limelight. Why are the Spice Girls trying to steal it?
The fact that Victoria Beckham reportedly doesn’t want to sing makes the whole thing seem like a cynical bid for cash (and a cool £10million at that) rather than for the love of girl power.
There are already high-profile young women – Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande – who fly the flag for feminism. We already have Girl Power 2.0.
Teen girls aren’t going to come and see the Spice Girls. It’ll be a load of 40-somethings going down memory lane. Cringe.
Sorry Spices, but you are all, like me, the other side of 40 now, and just like I’ve sorted out my hair, it’s time you moved on, too.
Are they going to wear the same clothes? Replicas? I shudder at the thought. My platform sandals went to the charity shop years ago.
I just don’t see how it can all be brought – or should that be dragged – into 2018.
I don’t say this out of dislike for them as women. I’ve never met any of them, and from what I see of their lives on social media they all seem fabulous. However, a fabulous girl band, they no longer are.
Essentially, it’s going back to your old job – like a school-hall reunion on a worldwide stage.
When I saw the Spice Girls, they ran about the stage (Geri had roller skates on!), they were carefree and changing the world with girl power.
The sentiment should live on - but the band shouldn't be revived.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Stop Right Now! Suzanne Baum can’t contain her excitement at the Spice Girls reunion
Get out your Union Jack dress, flip a peace sign and start warbling Wannabe – the Spice Girls are back!
Hearing the news that the best girl band of the 90s are set to reform has filled me with excitement.
As a 44-year-old mum of three boys I’m used to being subjected to Stormzy on a daily basis - it’s about time the Spice Girls' pop tunes ruled the radio again.
Unlike their army of 90’s kid fans I was in my twenties when the band broke onto the scene.
I was fascinated by Scary, Sporty, Posh, Ginger and Baby; and I secretly wanted to be a mixture of them all. I loved their no-nonsense attitude, self-confidence and friendship goals.
I remember begging to take my niece to 1997 Spiceworld Tour (I was 23) and dancing along with awestruck teeny boppers around me.
My two teenage sons cringe when I gush about the band but I loved everything about the nineties – and the Spice Girls was a huge part of it. They not only ruled the music world but created killer fashion trends, too.
Although I was far too old to dress like them at the time (my husband would have disowned me if I copied Baby Spice’s pigtails) I embraced their dance routines.
The Spice Girls were - and still are - fantastic role models. I loved their girl power message – even now amongst a family of three sons and my husband I wind them up about my girl power status.
I don’t think you can ever be too old to enjoy the Spice Girls - that's why I'm all in favour of a reunion.
At my son's barmitzvah party four years ago he chose the playlist of rap and hip hop and I mixed in a bit of Stop and Mama.
By the looks of the adults on the dance floor, the high-kicking, zig-a-zig-ahing had certainly not lost its sparkle.
As far as I am concerned “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want” and that’s to get my hands on (if the rumours are true) the reported greatest hits album later this year.
Nostalgia is a wonderful thing; it allows us to remember things through rose-tinted glasses and in this day and age that can’t be a bad thing.