Mel C reveals 'eating disorder' during Spice Girl days

The Spice Girls are arguably one of the most famous girl bands of all time.

But Mel C has revealed their huge fame caused her to develop a devastating eating disorder and later mental health issues.

Mel C pictured with her Spice Girl bandmates at the height of their success. Source: Getty
Mel C pictured with her Spice Girl bandmates at the height of their success. Source: Getty

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mel C – famously known as Sporty Spice – talked about the pressures to be “perfect".

"I'd never starve myself, but I wasn't eating properly and I was exercising obsessively,” she told the publication. “I thought I had to be a certain way to be deserving of everything that was happening to me.”

The singer, known as Sporty Spice, opened up about the pressures of fame. Source: Getty
The singer, known as Sporty Spice, opened up about the pressures of fame. Source: Getty

The Spice Girls exploded into the music scene in 1996 with their debut single Wannabe, which dominated the number one spot around the world.

They achieved monumental success and became pin ups for female empowerment thanks to their feisty attitudes and catchy ‘Girl Power’ slogan.

Mel C revealed she was 'exercising obsessively' during her Sporty Spice days as she thought she had to be a 'certain way.' Source: Instagram
Mel C revealed she was 'exercising obsessively' during her Sporty Spice days as she thought she had to be a 'certain way.' Source: Instagram

Opening up about how it affected her, Melanie said she experienced feelings of guilt that were magnified by people who told her she was the “plain one at the back that didn't really do anything".

Melanie now lives a healthy lifestyle after receiving treatment. Source: Instagram
Melanie now lives a healthy lifestyle after receiving treatment. Source: Instagram

Four years after hitting the big time, Mel C was diagnosed with depression, which she treated with medication, therapies and acupuncture.

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Reflecting on her experiences she said: "I think when you're young, and you have these dreams and aspirations you don't really think of the negatives, and everything has a negative".

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