End of ‘Girl Power': Spice Girls go gender-neutral
It's the slogan that inspired a generation, but Geri Halliwell Horner has announced that 'Girl Power' is no longer relevant, proposing the term 'Inner Power' in the spirit of gender inclusion.
Speaking to young people at her latest children's book launch, Geri, 52, said: 'Girl Power was a sweet word for feminism. But if you look in the dictionary and see what feminism means, it means the 'equalisation between the sexes'.
Therefore, to me it's irrelevant what your gender is, I want everyone to feel their power, so let's evolve that word from Girl Power to Inner Power.'
The former Spice Girl, who coined the phrase that became as iconic as her Union Jack dress, reflected on the group's 30-year legacy and her original aim to 'give feminism a kick up the arse.'
Mel C, 51, described Girl Power as 'being able to do things just as well as – or even better than – the boys, and be what we want to be. It's about spreading a positive vibe and kicking it for the girls. It's not about picking up guys, we don't need men to control our lives, we control our lives anyway.'
While millions of fans may be disappointed, Geri insists the message should be about celebrating everyone: 'It's meant to be inclusive and celebratory of who you are and what I feel like is important as well is that none of us are perfect, we're all idiots at different times, we are.'
Geri, Emma Bunton, Mel B, and Mel C are reportedly planning a 30th anniversary reunion tour, though Victoria Beckham is not expected to join.
Meanwhile, Geri's personal life has also made headlines, from her husband Christian Horner's public controversies to the recent news that he has formally adopted her daughter Bluebell, 18.
Despite the challenges, Geri and Christian remain together, and Geri continues to support her family and career, recently appearing with Christian at the Miami F1 Grand Prix and celebrating her daughter's academic achievements.
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Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Herald Sun
David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses for more than a decade, football news
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. David Beckham is to finally be awarded a knighthood, The Sun can reveal. The footie legend, 50, will become a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list next week. His Spice Girl wife Victoria will be known as Lady Beckham. Ex-England and Man United star Becks has longed for a knighthood for years, according to The Sun. The news will also bring some joy to the Beckham household amid a rift with their eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Politicians and fellow sports stars have spent years calling for the man known as 'Golden Balls' to receive a knighthood. The father of four — who played 115 times for England and has made major contributions to charity — has struck up a firm friendship with King Charles. And the monarch dropped a potential hint last month that his wait was coming to an end. Countryside-loving Becks, who is an ambassador of The King's Foundation, was seen greeting Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show. David Beckham will be knighted. Image: Getty Coveted honour He shares a passion for horticulture with Charles and sported the King's rose in his lapel. Charles asked him: 'You got it, didn't you?' Becks replied: 'It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.' Letters inviting recipients to accept honours are sent out weeks in advance – and one may have already landed on David's mat at the time of their chat. He was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics. But he was blocked from getting the title by the Honours Committee after becoming caught up in a tax avoidance scheme, along with many other stars. Becks retired from playing in 2013, and his finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago – paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour. Many thought it would finally come in 2022, after he spent 13 hours queuing with the public to pay his respects at Queen Elizabeth's coffin, which lay in state in Westminster. But he was again left waiting for the honour. The Sun understands he narrowly missed out on a knighthood in the New Year Honours List published in December last year. David Beckham wearing a David Austin Roses "King's Rose" speaks with King Charles III at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. (Photo by Paul Grover –) Former England football manager Gareth Southgate got the award. David had been given an OBE in 2003 for services to football. He received it from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, watched by proud Victoria, sons Brooklyn and Romeo, and his grandparents. David and his wife — who shot to fame with the Spice Girls before becoming a successful fashion designer — have an estimated combined net worth of more than $1 million. David also has a long history of charitable work, which will have been considered by officials on the Honours Committee. Last year, he was formally made a charity ambassador by the King, and beekeeper Becks was buzzing with excitement at teaming up with him. Charles invited Beckham to Highgrove to learn more about the charity, which focuses on 'creating better communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony'. Tours of the grounds help to fund workshops and courses in traditional skills and crafts, and the former footie star met woodworking and embroidery students. Becks said at the time: 'I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. 'I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. David Beckham is one of the all-time footballing greats. (Photo by) 'Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. 'It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips.' In 2020, he teamed up with the Chelsea Pensioners as he backed The Sun's campaign to save the Poppy Appeal amid the devastating Covid lockdown. He said he was 'in awe' of the veterans as he delivered poppies to their London HQ. David added: 'With another lockdown coming it is more important than ever that we support our veterans.' Becks, also dad to son Cruz and daughter Harper, has carried out lots of charity work focusing on children, and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 20 years ago. To mark his 50th birthday last month he appealed for donations for the charity. The Beckham family from far left, Romeo, Cruz, Victoria, Harper, David and Brooklyn. Picture: Instagram He was also a founding member of the leadership council of charity Malaria No More in 2009, helping to eradicate the disease, even visiting No 10 to highlight the issue. In 2023, he delighted the Brentford Penguins – a football team for children with Down's syndrome — with a visit to celebrate them winning one of The Sun's Who Cares Wins awards. He took footballing son Romeo with him to lead a surprise training session. David celebrated his 50th last month with a string of parties, though Brooklyn stayed away. The honours will be formally announced later this month. The government does not comment on them beforehand. This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission. Originally published as David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses
Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Perth Now
Reinvigorated Dark Mofo ready to fire at full strength
When winter festival Dark Mofo was put on ice, artistic director Chris Twite was understandably nervous about what people would think. But ticket sales for the revived 2025 edition, which kicks off in Hobart on Thursday, appear on track to surpass records. Dark Mofo ran at reduced capacity last year so organisers could take stock financially in an environment in which many events were struggling or pulling the pin. "It was a really hard decision ... but ultimately it was the right one to make. It is going pay to dividends for the next decade," Twite said. "We were really worried that people would rightly miss the festival or be upset. "But by and large the reaction has been really great from people because they understood we were trying to build a foundation." The most recent full-bore Dark Mofo in 2023 cost about 55 per cent more than the similarly sized 2019 iteration, Twite said. There was a lot of "boring" work to get the books in better shape, while continued state government funding of $21.6 million to 2027 played its part. Twite said Dark Mofo will never run at a profit, noting the owner of the MONA gallery David Walsh had contributed some $30 million over a decade. The festival has proven a massive boost for tourism in Tasmania's off-season since launching in 2013, and has often courted controversy. Upside-down Christian crosses have featured on Hobart's waterfront, while in 2021 it was forced to pull the pin on a piece after criticism over a lack of consultation. Spain's Santiago Sierra had planned to immerse a Union Jack flag in the donated blood of Indigenous people as a statement against colonialism. The festival apologised and pledged to work more closely with Indigenous artists. Twite, who took over from inaugural artistic director Leigh Carmichael in 2023, said Dark Mofo would continue to push the envelope but was cognisant of its responsibilities. He pointed to work by Indigenous Alaskan artist Nicholas Galanin, who has created a space for people to "scream as long as they want" about whatever they want. "At the heart of the festival is presenting confrontational work that challenges ideas," Twite said. "I don't think we've changed ever from that. I think the way we do that changes year in, year out." The decision to still hold the winter feast and popular nude solstice swim in 2024 was important so Dark Mofo didn't disappear off the radar entirely, Twite said. Ticket sales were on track to match or beat the 100,000 mark set in 2023, he said.
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- The Advertiser
NZ gallery removes controversial flag walking artwork
A New Zealand flag printed with the words "please walk on me" and laid on the floor of an art gallery has once again been packed away following public outcry, 30 years after protests forced the removal of the same artwork. The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said on Thursday it had removed the work by Māori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears. The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid public backlash and complaints to law enforcement in 1995. This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history. The piece, titled Flagging the Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words "please walk on me" stencilled across it. The flag features the British Union Jack and red stars on a blue background. The work is part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Māori experience since New Zealand's colonisation by Britain in the 19th century. Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Māori tribes for historical land theft. "I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag," Prince told Radio New Zealand in 2024. "I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Māori." Prince couldn't be reached immediately for comment Friday. New Zealand's reckoning with its colonial past has gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain or change the flag to a design that doesn't feature the Union Jack. New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with the intent to dishonour it is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 New Zealand dollars ($A4,641), but prosecutions are fleetingly rare. As in the United States and elsewhere, the country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Māori, it's a reminder of land dispossession and loss of culture and identity. Protests of the artwork in the city of Nelson, population 55,000, included videos posted to social media by a local woman, Ruth Tipu, whose grandfather served in the army's Māori Battalion during World War II. In one clip, she is seen lifting the flag from the floor and draping it over another artwork, an action Tipu said she would repeat daily. A veterans' group also denounced the piece as shameful and offensive. City council member Tim Skinner said he was horrified by the work's inclusion. But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media: "in strong defence of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art." The work was perhaps expected to provoke controversy and in the exhibition's opening days, The Suter Gallery defended its inclusion. But a statement on its Facebook page late Thursday said a "sharp escalation in the tone and nature of the discourse, moving well beyond the bounds of respectful debate" had prompted the flag's removal. "This should not be interpreted as a judgement on the artwork or the artist's intent," the statement said. The gallery didn't detail specific incidents of concern and a gallery spokesperson didn't respond to a request for an interview on Friday. New Zealand's Police said in a statement Friday that while officers were investigating complaints, they weren't called to any disturbances at the exhibition. Prince said when she revived the work in 2024 that threats of prosecution by law enforcement had prompted its removal from the Auckland gallery in 1995. The Nelson gallery didn't suggest in its statement that police involvement had influenced Thursday's decision. A New Zealand flag printed with the words "please walk on me" and laid on the floor of an art gallery has once again been packed away following public outcry, 30 years after protests forced the removal of the same artwork. The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said on Thursday it had removed the work by Māori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears. The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid public backlash and complaints to law enforcement in 1995. This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history. The piece, titled Flagging the Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words "please walk on me" stencilled across it. The flag features the British Union Jack and red stars on a blue background. The work is part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Māori experience since New Zealand's colonisation by Britain in the 19th century. Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Māori tribes for historical land theft. "I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag," Prince told Radio New Zealand in 2024. "I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Māori." Prince couldn't be reached immediately for comment Friday. New Zealand's reckoning with its colonial past has gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain or change the flag to a design that doesn't feature the Union Jack. New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with the intent to dishonour it is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 New Zealand dollars ($A4,641), but prosecutions are fleetingly rare. As in the United States and elsewhere, the country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Māori, it's a reminder of land dispossession and loss of culture and identity. Protests of the artwork in the city of Nelson, population 55,000, included videos posted to social media by a local woman, Ruth Tipu, whose grandfather served in the army's Māori Battalion during World War II. In one clip, she is seen lifting the flag from the floor and draping it over another artwork, an action Tipu said she would repeat daily. A veterans' group also denounced the piece as shameful and offensive. City council member Tim Skinner said he was horrified by the work's inclusion. But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media: "in strong defence of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art." The work was perhaps expected to provoke controversy and in the exhibition's opening days, The Suter Gallery defended its inclusion. But a statement on its Facebook page late Thursday said a "sharp escalation in the tone and nature of the discourse, moving well beyond the bounds of respectful debate" had prompted the flag's removal. "This should not be interpreted as a judgement on the artwork or the artist's intent," the statement said. The gallery didn't detail specific incidents of concern and a gallery spokesperson didn't respond to a request for an interview on Friday. New Zealand's Police said in a statement Friday that while officers were investigating complaints, they weren't called to any disturbances at the exhibition. Prince said when she revived the work in 2024 that threats of prosecution by law enforcement had prompted its removal from the Auckland gallery in 1995. The Nelson gallery didn't suggest in its statement that police involvement had influenced Thursday's decision. A New Zealand flag printed with the words "please walk on me" and laid on the floor of an art gallery has once again been packed away following public outcry, 30 years after protests forced the removal of the same artwork. The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said on Thursday it had removed the work by Māori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears. The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid public backlash and complaints to law enforcement in 1995. This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history. The piece, titled Flagging the Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words "please walk on me" stencilled across it. The flag features the British Union Jack and red stars on a blue background. The work is part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Māori experience since New Zealand's colonisation by Britain in the 19th century. Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Māori tribes for historical land theft. "I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag," Prince told Radio New Zealand in 2024. "I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Māori." Prince couldn't be reached immediately for comment Friday. New Zealand's reckoning with its colonial past has gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain or change the flag to a design that doesn't feature the Union Jack. New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with the intent to dishonour it is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 New Zealand dollars ($A4,641), but prosecutions are fleetingly rare. As in the United States and elsewhere, the country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Māori, it's a reminder of land dispossession and loss of culture and identity. Protests of the artwork in the city of Nelson, population 55,000, included videos posted to social media by a local woman, Ruth Tipu, whose grandfather served in the army's Māori Battalion during World War II. In one clip, she is seen lifting the flag from the floor and draping it over another artwork, an action Tipu said she would repeat daily. A veterans' group also denounced the piece as shameful and offensive. City council member Tim Skinner said he was horrified by the work's inclusion. But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media: "in strong defence of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art." The work was perhaps expected to provoke controversy and in the exhibition's opening days, The Suter Gallery defended its inclusion. But a statement on its Facebook page late Thursday said a "sharp escalation in the tone and nature of the discourse, moving well beyond the bounds of respectful debate" had prompted the flag's removal. "This should not be interpreted as a judgement on the artwork or the artist's intent," the statement said. The gallery didn't detail specific incidents of concern and a gallery spokesperson didn't respond to a request for an interview on Friday. New Zealand's Police said in a statement Friday that while officers were investigating complaints, they weren't called to any disturbances at the exhibition. Prince said when she revived the work in 2024 that threats of prosecution by law enforcement had prompted its removal from the Auckland gallery in 1995. The Nelson gallery didn't suggest in its statement that police involvement had influenced Thursday's decision. A New Zealand flag printed with the words "please walk on me" and laid on the floor of an art gallery has once again been packed away following public outcry, 30 years after protests forced the removal of the same artwork. The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said on Thursday it had removed the work by Māori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears. The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid public backlash and complaints to law enforcement in 1995. This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history. The piece, titled Flagging the Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words "please walk on me" stencilled across it. The flag features the British Union Jack and red stars on a blue background. The work is part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Māori experience since New Zealand's colonisation by Britain in the 19th century. Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Māori tribes for historical land theft. "I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag," Prince told Radio New Zealand in 2024. "I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Māori." Prince couldn't be reached immediately for comment Friday. New Zealand's reckoning with its colonial past has gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain or change the flag to a design that doesn't feature the Union Jack. New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with the intent to dishonour it is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 New Zealand dollars ($A4,641), but prosecutions are fleetingly rare. As in the United States and elsewhere, the country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Māori, it's a reminder of land dispossession and loss of culture and identity. Protests of the artwork in the city of Nelson, population 55,000, included videos posted to social media by a local woman, Ruth Tipu, whose grandfather served in the army's Māori Battalion during World War II. In one clip, she is seen lifting the flag from the floor and draping it over another artwork, an action Tipu said she would repeat daily. A veterans' group also denounced the piece as shameful and offensive. City council member Tim Skinner said he was horrified by the work's inclusion. But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media: "in strong defence of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art." The work was perhaps expected to provoke controversy and in the exhibition's opening days, The Suter Gallery defended its inclusion. But a statement on its Facebook page late Thursday said a "sharp escalation in the tone and nature of the discourse, moving well beyond the bounds of respectful debate" had prompted the flag's removal. "This should not be interpreted as a judgement on the artwork or the artist's intent," the statement said. The gallery didn't detail specific incidents of concern and a gallery spokesperson didn't respond to a request for an interview on Friday. New Zealand's Police said in a statement Friday that while officers were investigating complaints, they weren't called to any disturbances at the exhibition. Prince said when she revived the work in 2024 that threats of prosecution by law enforcement had prompted its removal from the Auckland gallery in 1995. The Nelson gallery didn't suggest in its statement that police involvement had influenced Thursday's decision.
