14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Furious Spice Girls row erupts as Geri accused of 'rubbishing band's legacy'
Geri Halliwell Horner's comments that the term 'Girl Power' is 'irrelevant' has angered some members of the Spice Girls, it has been reported
Geri Halliwell Horner has left some of her Spice Girls bandmembers "horrified" after suggesting their iconic 'Girl Power' slogan is "irrelevant", it has been reported.
The slogan was popularised in the mainstream by the British girl group and celebrates female empowerment. Prior to their fame, the Spice Girls were told repeatedly that they wouldn't be able to get on magazine front covers because "women don't sell" and that they grew increasingly frustrated by the misogyny in the industry.
As they became the most famous girl group in the world, the Spice Girls embodied that motto with all they had and became feminist icons. Ginger Spice was no quieter than her bandmates as she declared she wanted to give "feminism a kick up the a***".
However, her recent comments about "Girl Power" have left a sour taste as she appeared at the launch of her children's book. She said last month: "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'."
A source reportedly close to some members of the band told Mail+: "The others, Victoria included, are so proud of shouting loudly about gender equality and the influence they had on society.
"Does she think it is OK to rubbish the legacy of the Spice Girls, a band that five very strong women were proudly part of and which helped drive a lot of change, during a talk to promote her own career as a book author?"
They continued to point out that a huge part of the band was being able to tell their fan girls that they could do things just as well, or even better, than boys. The source added that now is a time when girl identity is under threat and "she thinks it's OK to write Girl Power off in such a public way".
While another source told the publication that Geri might not want to be part of the Spice Girls anymore, but suggested that she not "ruin it for the rest of those who do".
Geri has undergone a major rebrand since her wild union jack dress-wearing days. The 52-year-old met husband Christian Horner in 2014, wedding him just a year later. She is mum to 18-year-old Bluebell, who she shares with her ex Sacha Gervasi, and her son Montague, eight, with Christian.
The couple now reside in their lavish £7million Cotswolds estate, with Geri often sharing posts about her books, animals or while she's at events in her white and ivory wardrobe.
It comes after Geri failed to turn up to Mel B's 50th birthday in Leeds last week. Victoria Beckham was also unable to attend, leaving Mel B to celebrate with Emma Bunton and Mel C.
Another source claimed that Geri is not keen to be part of the reunion tour, adding: "She doesn't really want to be Ginger Spice again, there was a time and a place for that. Today she's more of a lady of the manor type."
The Mirror has reached out to Geri and reps for the Spice Girls for comment.
