Victoria Beckham has revealed a specific moment during the 2007-2008 Spice Girls reunion tour that solidified her decision to step away from the stage. In her recent Netflix docuseries, the fashion designer, formerly known as Posh Spice, recounted a comment from bandmate Melanie Brown that she found upsetting at the time.
The incident, coupled with the challenges of balancing family life, marked a significant turning point, leading her to pursue a career in fashion and leave her pop star persona behind. Despite the difficult realization, Beckham maintains she is proud of her past and remains in contact with all her former bandmates.
Key Takeaways
- Victoria Beckham said a comment from Mel B during the 2007-2008 tour was a pivotal moment in her decision to leave the group.
- Mel B reportedly told her, “Don’t forget where you come from,” which Beckham found upsetting.
- David Beckham encouraged her to participate in the tour so their children could see her perform as a Spice Girl.
- Beckham has described revisiting her time in the band for her docuseries as "triggering" and "like therapy."
- She affirms she is proud of the Spice Girls' legacy and maintains a good relationship with the other members.
A Defining Moment on Tour
During the "Return of the Spice Girls Tour," which ran from 2007 to 2008, Victoria Beckham experienced a moment that clarified her future career path. She shared that a remark from Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B or Scary Spice, had a significant impact on her.
“One of the girls actually said to me – and it did upset me – it was Melanie B who said to me, ‘Don’t forget where you come from,’” Beckham explained in her docuseries. The comment struck a chord, though she insists she has never lost sight of her origins.
“I have never forgotten where I’ve come from. I’ve never ever forgotten that Posh Spice is the reason why I’m sitting here,” Beckham stated. “She might have been grumpy, but she was actually great.”
While she holds no lasting resentment towards her bandmate, Beckham admitted that the exchange was a catalyst. It was in that moment she recognized that her passion no longer lay in performing on stage with the group. This realization marked the beginning of her transition from pop icon to respected fashion designer.
The Influence of Family
Beckham also revealed that her decision to join the reunion tour was heavily influenced by her husband, David Beckham. At the time, their children—Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz—were young, and Harper had not yet been born. David felt it was an important opportunity for them.
“David was like, you know, ‘It’s really good for the kids to see you do this,'” she recalled. The former soccer star wanted their children to witness their mother's famous past as a member of one of the world's biggest girl groups.
A Glimpse into the Past
The Spice Girls formed in 1994 and achieved global stardom. The "Return of the Spice Girls Tour" in 2007 was a highly anticipated event, marking the first time the five original members had toured together since 1998.
David Beckham added his perspective in the docuseries, noting, “Our kids weren’t around to see their mum be a Spice Girl.” Victoria jokingly referred to his encouragement as a form of friendly pressure, quipping, “He mum-guilted me!”
Transitioning from Pop Star to Fashion Mogul
The 2007-2008 tour ultimately became a farewell for Beckham's Posh Spice persona. Although the full group reunited for a final performance at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games, she did not join the subsequent "Spice World Tour" in 2019.
For nearly two decades, Beckham has focused on building her eponymous fashion label. She spoke to The Sunday Times Style magazine about the difficulty of moving beyond her pop-star identity.
A Four-Year Phenomenon
Victoria Beckham noted that her public identity was defined by a relatively short period. "I’ve been defined by a four-year period in my life. That was the Spice Girls," she said. "It’s taken me almost two decades to fight that."
Revisiting this era for her documentary proved to be an emotional process. “I’m not going to lie, being asked questions about when I was in the Spice Girls was quite triggering,” she explained. “It was almost like therapy for me.”
Embracing the Past and Looking Forward
Despite the challenges of redefining her career, Beckham now expresses immense pride in what she accomplished with the Spice Girls. She emphasized that her time in the group was foundational to her current success.
“I wouldn’t have been who I am now if it wasn’t for the Spice Girls, 100 percent,” she affirmed. She also made it clear that the bond between the five members remains strong, dispelling any rumors of lasting friction.
She shared recent examples of their connection, stating, “The other night I had dinner with Emma and Geri, and Mel B messaged me [over] the weekend. I still speak to all of the girls.”
Her reflections show a journey of personal and professional evolution, from a global pop sensation to the head of a respected fashion house, all while maintaining an appreciation for the chapter that started it all. “I love the Spice Girls. I really do,” she concluded. “And it’s been great reflecting on that time.”
