Spice Girls
| RPF Fandom | |
|---|---|
| Name(s): | Spice Girls |
| Scope/Focus: | Pop group/music fandom/RPF |
| Date(s): | 1996 to present |
| See also: | NSYNC, Backstreet Boys
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The Spice Girls are an English pop girl group formed in 1994. The group comprises Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B ("Scary Spice"), Melanie Chisholm, Mel C ("Sporty Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice") and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice").
The Spice Girls gained fame with the release of their debut single "Wannabe" in 1996. They went on to release several very successful singles and albums, before unofficially splitting in 2001. They have since had two reunion tours, one in 2007-2008 and one in 2019.
Fandom
This article or section needs expansion. |
The Spice Girls fandom emerged in 1996 following the release of the group's megahit single "Wannabe". The fandom largely consisted of young girls and gay men in the late 1990s. After Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell left the group in 1998 and the group split in 2001, the fandom died down, re-emerging in 2007 and then again in 2019 for their reunion tours.
In the early days, gen fanworks focusing on the friendship between the Spice Girls were common, unsurprising given that friendship themes were a big part of the band's music and public image. Shipping-wise, the band members were often paired with the members of various boybands, particularly the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. The femslash fandom was also active thanks to Mel B's open bisexuality. Most of these early fanworks were hosted on Spice Girls fansites and web forums that are no longer available such as the DenDen Forums.
Femslash RPF is now the most common genre for fics, while tropes such as Hurt/Comfort and Alternate Universe are on the rise.
Pairings
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, het pairings involving a Spice Girl and a boyband member were the most common. Popular examples included Emma Bunton/Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) and Emma Bunton/Justin Timberlake ('N Sync).
Since the 2010s however, femslash pairings dominate the fandom. Mel B/Geri (aka Meri) has always been the most popular f/f ship due to the long-standing rumors of a secret relationship between the two, followed by Mel C/Emma due to their close and enduring friendship.
Mel B/Geri Rumors and Fan Theories
Rumors of a secret relationship between Mel B and Geri have long been circulated by both fans and the British media tabloids. A popular fan theory is that this supposed relationship was the real reason Geri left the group in 1998.
One youtube video promoting this fan theory has over 2.5 million views and the description states:[1]
Most of the reasons (or excuses) told by Geri herself don't match with those her colleagues, friends, and media have reported. And, one of the many theories and rumors there's one possible reason that might get your attention:
She left because of her and Mel B's relationship. A relationship that crossed the line of bandmates and best friends.
But you believe who you want to believe.
One thing is for sure, we'll never know the real reason.
Fans would collect footage of Mel B and Geri's interactions from concerts and interviews which they felt was "evidence" for this secret relationship.[2][3] Fans would also point to interviews with the other Spice Girls and with Mel B's ex-husband, that seem to insinuate a relationship between Geri and Mel B that went beyond just friendship.[4][5][6]
The Meri ship was validated to some extent when Mel B confirmed in a 2019 interview that she and Geri had slept together during the band's heyday.[6]
Notable Fanworks
- Spice Girls The Reunion by smileydaisy2000
- How Can It This Be by Beta_Mat_86
- Love Thing by RayonStar.
- Spice Force Logic: Mind Games by Beta_Mat_86
- Just Taken by Beta_Mat_86
- Last Breath by alfiezedd
Challenges
Crossover
- In The Dark with the Backstreet Boys, by Kohala8
- Final Stand of Death, a mega-crossover by Beta_Mat_86
- Astral Journey: It's Complicated with Mariah Carey, Brandy Norwood, and Santa Claus, by Beta_Mat_86
Archives and Fannish Links
- Spice Girls Works AO3
- Spice Girls Wattpad
- Spice Girls Adult Fanfiction
- Spice Girls Fan Art DeviantArt
References
- ^ May 27th, 1998: Why did Geri really leave the Spice Girls? by svperbrat on Youtube. May 28, 2016.
- ^ "Facts" tag on scary-ginger.tumblr.com.
- ^ Geri & Mel B evidence playlist by svperbrat on Youtube.
- ^ Spice Girls; Scary and Ginger...have they?
- ^ My Spice Girls OTP - and why Geri left the Spice Girls! by SushiRoll Speaks on Youtube. July 19, 2016.
- ^ a b Mel B Confirms She Hooked Up With a Fellow Spice Girl, And I'm Ascending