The Spice Girls have celebrated Mel B, aka Scary Spice, online as they mark her 50th birthday from a far.
UK-based Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Mel C and Geri Halliwell all shared photos and memories with Mel B, whose full name is Melanie Brown, on her milestone.
“Happy 50th @officialmelb! I’m not far behind you!!!” Bunton, 49, told her friend, who is currently in the US filming America’s Got Talent.
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“From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs.”
The main photo Bunton shared appeared to have been taken in Japan, with Beckham following suit.
The singer-turned-fashion designer shared an image from July 1996 of the duo at Tokyo Airport waiting to fly home.
“Happy birthday @officialmelb. Kisses xx,” Beckham captioned the post on her Instagram Story.
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Halliwell similarly kept her caption brief, writing her wishes for “a very wonderful year ahead”.
Mel C, whose full name is Melanie Chisholm, hinted that a lavish do – like hers, Beckhams’ and Halliwell’s blowouts for their 50ths in 2023 and 2024 – was in the works.
“Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter,” she affectionately wrote alongside Spice Girls promo pictures of the pair.
Sporty Spice also got a touch emotional in her lengthy caption, recalling their first meeting in 1993.
“Oh the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!,” Chisholm said.
“I’m so proud of everything we have achieved and adversities you have not only overcome but have used to help others Mel B MBE Hon D Univ you’re a f***ing rock star and I love you more than words can say.”
The “adversities” referenced point to Brown’s battle with alleged domestic abuse during her 10-year marriage to American film producer Stephen Belafonte, who denies the claims.
The mum-of-three daughters later spoke about her claims in great detail in her 2018 memoir Brutally Honest, which resulted in a defamation lawsuit from Belafonte that remains ongoing.
Belafonte has been granted primary custody of their daughter, Madison, 12, who is an American citizen, after a lengthy court battle in the US.
Brown is also mum to Phoenix, 25, from her marriage to dancer Jimmy Gulza and Angel, 16, from a past relationship with Eddie Murphy.
Since going public with her allegations of physical, sexual, verbal and financial abuse, the performer has became an ambassador for charity Women’s Aid.
It earned her an MBE “for her services to charitable causes and vulnerable women, particularly her work supporting domestic abuse survivors”.
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The honour was awarded to her by Prince William in 2022.
Brown took to social media to thank everyone for their messages as she marks “50 today!!!”
“Thank you so much for all the love and messages I see you and appreciate you all soooo much,” she captioned a post to Instagram.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website. In an emergency, call 000.
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