Sorting the Spice rack
Well, it’s official: All five Spice Girls, who haven’t performed together since 1998, are reuniting for 11 concerts, beginning with a Dec. 7 show right here in L.A. But who can tell Sporty from Baby these days? Here’s a little primer to help you zig-a-zig your way through the quintet, shown here in 1997.
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Melanie Chisholm
Nom de Spice: Sporty SpiceBecause: A penchant for sporting track suits and a tomboy attitude
Age: 33
Notable for: Razor-straight bangs
Post-Spice: The most musically prolific, she has released four studio albums
Dubious distinction: Was long rumored to be the lone holdout in a five-Spice reunion
Little-known fact: Launched her own record label, Red Girl Records, in 2004
Currently: On YouTube, where her video remake of “I Want Candy” has her writhing around in a skintight suit on what appears to be a giant leather lozenge
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Emma Bunton
Nom de Spice: Baby SpiceBecause: She’s the youngest
Age: 31
Notable for: Pigtails, babydoll dresses
Post-Spice: TV appearances, solo albums
Dubious distinction: Placed third in British ballroom dance reality series “Strictly Come Dancing”
Currently: Shilling for Prego pasta sauce in the U.S. and Tesco supermarkets in Britain
Little-known fact: Recently reported to be stepping into the Beyoncé Knowles role in the sequel to last year’s “Pink Panther”
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Melanie Brown
Nom de Spice: Scary SpiceBecause: Leeds accent + attitude + leopard prints apparently = Scary
Age: 32
Notable for: Wild, chaotic tsunami of hair and behavior to match
Post-Spice: Penned an autobiography called “Catch a Fire,” appeared as Mimi in a 2004 run in the Broadway production of “Rent”
Dubious distinction: Gave birth to Eddie Murphy’s baby — on Murphy’s birthday.
Currently: Rumored to be appearing in the fifth season of “Dancing With the Stars”
Little-known fact: Delighting Candice Bergen fans everywhere, she named her baby Angel Iris Murphy Brown
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Geri Halliwell
Nom de Spice: Ginger SpiceBecause: Often had red (or “ginger”) streaks in her hair
Age: 34
Notable for: Sexy outfits — including a famously form-fitting Union Jack dress
Post-Spice: Served as a United Nations goodwill ambassador, recorded solo albums
Dubious distinction: Her decision to go solo was the beginning of the end of the Spice Girls
Currently: Working on a series of children’s books featuring a character she created — 9-year-old Ugenia Lavender. The first book is due out next year
Little-known fact: Daughter Bluebell Madonna’s godmum is Victoria Beckham
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Victoria Beckham
Nom de Spice: Posh SpiceBecause: She’s a fancy dresser with a passion for high-end fashion
Age: 33
Notable for: Swan-like neck, footballer husband
Post-Spice: Wrote a book, collaborated on a denim line with Rock & Republic
Dubious distinction: FOT (Friend of TomKat)
Currently: Designing jeans and sunglasses, throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium
Little-known fact: Named first son Brooklyn after the place where she found out she was pregnant while on a Spice Girls tour.
— Adam Tschorn
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