Geri Halliwell

Geraldine Estelle "Geri" Halliwell (born 6th August, 1972) is a British pop singer and songwriter, television personality, writer and actress, and became famous (under the nickname of "Ginger Spice") in the late 1990s as a member of the girl group the Spice Girls. She was born and grew up in Watford, in the county of Hertfordshire to a Spanish mother (Ana María) and a father (Lawrence) of Swedish, English descent. She was brought up as a Jehovah's Witness.

Preceding fame

Before starting her music career Geri had worked as a nightclub dancer in Mallorca, a model and presenter on the Turkish version of Let's Make A Deal, and as a nude model. Following her rise to fame with the Spice Girls, nude photos of Halliwell were re-published in a number of top-shelf magazines, including Club International in the UK.

Musical biography

Original success

Halliwell first found fame as one of the five members of the girl group the Spice Girls and was dubbed Ginger Spice because of her red hair with blonde highlights (though some early coverage also nicknamed her 'Sexy Spice'). She wore sexy outfits and attracted much attention to herself and the group, and she became renowned for her independent and feminist attitude. The group joined the most successful musical artists of the 1990s selling over thirty-five million albums with the studio releases Spice and Spiceworld. Their debut single "Wannabe" became the first of a string of number-ones in the United Kingdom (nine in total) and reached the top position in thirty-seven countries around the globe, including Australia, Canada and the US Other successful releases followed, including "Say You'll Be There" and "2 Become 1" from Spice, and "Spice Up Your Life", "Too Much" and "Stop" from Spiceworld.

On 30th May 1998 Halliwell left the Spice Girls to pursue a solo career. The first official confirmation was an announcement to the media by her solicitor on 31st May. Her action aroused controversy, her former band being due to embark on a North American tour, which they eventually completed without her. Although she had already left the group, the Spice Girls released "Viva Forever", the final music video to feature Halliwell. After she left, the other girls wrote a few songs about her which appeared on their album Forever, notably "Goodbye"(although it is said that Geri had helped write this song before her departure, but since the song was released after her departure, most people see it as a tribute to Geri), "Let Love Lead the Way" and "Tell Me Why".

Solo career: Schizophonic

Shortly before launching her solo career, Halliwell appeared in the fly on the wall documentary Geri, a 90 minute piece for the UK television channel Channel 4 by Molly Dineen. It can be watched here [1].

File:Lookatmepic.jpg

Halliwell on her first solo music video "Look at Me" (1999).

In 1999 Halliwell released her debut solo album Schizophonic, with lead single "Look at Me", produced by co-writers and old friends, Absolute. The single reached number two in the UK, just 700 copies behind Boyzone's "You Needed Me". The single would go on to sell over 1 million copies worldwide. Further singles from the album, "Mi Chico Latino" and "Lift Me Up", became UK number ones with the latter outselling Halliwell's former bandmate Emma Bunton. The fourth single, "Bag It Up", also reached number one. Demonstrating her flair for outrageous promotion, Halliwell performed "Bag It Up" during the BRIT Awards ceremony in 2000, emerging between giant inflatable legs, ripping off her shirt and walking in stiletto heels over the backs of topless pink-haired men whilst singing the song.

"Look at Me" was released to radio in the USA in late 1999, receiving limited airplay. Even more surprisingly, with only a radio single, Schizophonic debuted at number forty-two on The Billboard 200 before dropping out within the next month. This is still the highest charting by a solo Spice album in the USA; (Emma Bunton's Free Me peaking at no. 183 and Melanie C's Northern Star peaked at no. 208 on The Billboard 200). The album was eventually certified gold, distributing over 500,000 copies (however, actual sales remain much lower). "Mi Chico Latino" did not have a big impact on USA radio, and no further singles from Schizophonic or LPs were released in the USA. 'Schizophonic' would go on to sell over 2 million copies, and the combined sales of its singles were over 3 million.

Halliwell had a high-profile but short-lived relationship with Chris Evans during this time. In the USA Halliwell has also pursued a television career, re-uniting with former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller to appear as a judge on the flop reality show All American Girl and as a guest reporter on celebrity-based series such as Extra. She has also made appearances in the television series Sex and the City and a film, Fat Slags (2004), based on characters from Viz Magazine.

Second album: Scream If You Wanna Go Faster

File:Itsrainingmenpic.jpg

Halliwell on the music video of "It's Raining Men" (2001).

In 2001 Halliwell followed up with her second album, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster. It also included her cover version of the Weather Girls' 1983 hit, "It's Raining Men", used on the Bridget Jones's Diary film soundtrack, and the video game, DDRMAX2: Dance Dance Revolution 7thMIX. The song also won her the International Song of the Year award at the 2002 NRJ Music Awards.

The song became a huge hit, selling close to 4 million copies worldwide, in the United World Chart it hit no. 2 (behind "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink) based on Sales, Airplay and Votes, it become the second best selling single of 2001. The song had been added to the album at the last minute; another song, "Feels Like Sex", had already been slated as the lead single. (This song remained an album-only track. "Circles Round the Moon" was rumoured to be a single as Halliwell performed it on CD:UK and 12" Vinyl Promos were sent to clubs, but it was never released.) The follow-up singles were "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster" (number eight) and "Calling" (number seven), the latter, stated by Halliwell was her favourite co-written track on the album. She even released a special French edition of the single, entitled "Calling (Au Nom de L'amour)". The album sold more than 1.7 million copies across the world (this album wasn't released in the USA). But in 2003, she came ninth in the Channel 4 poll of the 100 Worst Britons.

Geri has released two autobiographies in If Only (1999) and Just for the Record (2002), detailing her rise to fame and her turbulent celebrity lifestyle. She has also released two Yoga DVDs Geri Yoga and Geri Body Yoga.

In 2002, Halliwell was featured alongside Pete Waterman and Louis Walsh as a judge on the television series Popstars: The rivals which created Girls Aloud.

Third album: Passion

File:Rideitpic.jpg

Geri in the music video of "Ride It".

In 2004, Halliwell began a period of collaboration with channel Five, as was one of the hosts of the Party in the park event for the Prince's Trust, the presenter of the Tickled Pink Girls' night in Live! event and an appearance in a documentary There's something about Geri.

In late 2004, Halliwell made a return to music with the single "Ride It", which reached no. 4 on the UK charts and no. 1 on the dance charts. The single was not promoted abroad, but still sold well throughout continental European countries reaching high positions, such as no. 3 in Spain. This was the first single from her third album, Passion which was at that stage slated for a spring release after a second single. However, several months elapsed before another single was released, during which time she was apparently ordered to record some new tracks for the as-yet unreleased album by her record company, which was unhappy with the setlist. Halliwell was planning her first solo tour around the UK and Ireland, but a bad management and tour schedule plus the label's pressure to record more songs and low ticket sales made her cancel the tour. "Desire" reached no. 22 in the UK. Released shortly after, Passion similarly received little attention from the public or critics, and stalled at no. 41 in the UK charts. It was rumoured that "Love Never Loved Me" would be released as the third single from Passion, but it was not. To this day, Passion has only sold 10,000 copies in the UK and around 40,000 worldwide.

In 2005, Halliwell guest-presented the music show Popworld.

Since 2003, Halliwell has been in contact with the rest of the Spice Girls, and a reunion has been rumoured, especially since all five members have now had singles success of some degree. Rumours indicated that they might perform together again in 2005, at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London. Initially organisers axed the idea, but after the publicity surrounding the cut, Bob Geldof stated that they would reconsider their possible attendance. However, in the end the Spice Girls were not present for the Live 8 show, as Melanie Brown had claimed prior work commitments.

Political affiliations

Halliwell has joined a long list of figures in the public eye to affiliate themselves to a British political party. In the run-up to the 1997 UK General Election, Geri declared: "I saw a lot of what Mrs Thatcher did. She was definitely the original Spice Girl rising from the greengrocer's daughter to Prime Minister. She was a real role model of a strong woman". She also claimed that her background was deeply-rooted in support for the Conservative Party and that Thatcher was the pioneer of 'Girl Power' and the spiritual sixth member of the Spice Girls. She claimed in 1996 that Tony Blair was "not a safe pair of hands for the economy"[2].

Fast forward to the next election in 2001 and Halliwell appears in the first Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the Labour Party of the campaign. The reason for her defection was "the good example set by Mr Blair and his wife as parents"[3] and that she "genuinely admires and believes in Tony Blair"[4]. Political commentators, however, were quick to ridicule Halliwell's speedy change of support and mock the Labour Party for its reliance on high-profile fans to inspire the electorate[5].

Personal life

In October 2005, after Passion was a failure and the Spice Girls reunion never materialized, Geri sacked her managers, the husband and wife team Paul and Katie Conroy, and went to Los Angeles, USA, to work on unnamed projects. Soon after, she was photographed by the paparazzi, having put on weight and looking exhausted. The tabloids reported that Halliwell was pregnant, which was subsequently confirmed. British scriptwriter and former drummer with the band Bush, Sacha Gervasi, is reported to be the child's father: he made a statement saying he wished Halliwell and child the best shortly after the rumours came out. On 7th March 2006, Hello! magazine published an interview with Halliwell which did not confirm the father's identity. Geri stated, "It is tacky to kiss and tell, I would never deprive a child of the right to know its father."

On 14th May 2006, Halliwell gave birth to a daughter, Bluebell Madonna, by caesarean section at London's Portland Hospital with her sister by her side. Explaining her name choice, she said, "What really clinched it for me was my mother telling me that the bluebell is increasingly rare – so it's a precious flower, which seems just right for my daughter." Her daughter's middle name came from two of Geri's heroines, singer Madonna and the Virgin Madonna.

In April 2007 it was revealed that Halliwell invited all four of her former Spice Girl colleagues to be godmothers at the christening of her baby. Victoria Beckham had already phoned her to thank her and accept the invitation. Former bandmate Emma Bunton was photographed going to Halliwell's baby shower as well as Melanie C. Melanie B was not present due to having just given birth to her own baby. Her daughter Bluebell's godparents are Victoria Beckham and George Michael's partner Kenny Goss.

It is rumored that she is dating Little Britain creator David Walliams. Their Reps are saying that "they are just friends". Back in 2002 Geri bought pal George Michael's Hampstead estate. Geri still lives there with her daughter Bluebell and her dog Harry.

The future

It has been reported that Halliwell plans to release a new 'tell all' book about her time in the USA and her plans to succeed as an actress. She may also return to the recording studio, hoping to add four new tracks to a 'greatest hits' album. "I really plan to tour at some point this year," Halliwell was quoted in 2006. "Not an arena tour but somewhere small and intimate, as a thank you to fans who have stuck by me. Being a mother has made me even more focused and I like the idea of creating a whole new sound. I still have a record deal, you know."

However, in a November 2006 interview with Britain's OK! magazine, Halliwell said she had no musical ambitions and no desire to record another solo album. "As far as music is concerned, I feel like I've given it my best. When I see how desperate people are for that chance, I realize I've had my turn, and now I have to let it go." Although with Geri saying that, this doesn't mean she has cancelled all her plans to return to music. Halliwell has stated that the Spice Girls would have reunited for the 2005 Live 8 concert, but that bandmate Melanie B pulled out. "We were all ready, apart from Mel B," Halliwell said. It is now doubtful whether a reunion will ever happen, she added. "Victoria said maybe it's time to move on, and I think she's got a point," she said. "Maybe it's better to keep the Spice Girls as a memory, but never say never. A taxi driver said to me we could still do a reunion even if one of us didn't want."

It has recently been announced that Halliwell is to present a new reality TV programme for the ITV network in 2007, it will apparently involve surprising normal people who are down on their luck with visits from their favourite celebrities.

In March of 2007, Geri was photographed leaving a recording studio with a demo CD clutched in her hand. Speculation begun that Halliwell was working on new tracks and would indeed return to the music business. On 13th March Geri was again spotted at a studio, this time with a platinum record for 'Schizophonic'.

On April 12th 2007, it was announced that Halliwell has signed a six book deal with Macmillan Childrens' Books. The books are set to feature nine year old Ugenia Lavender, Halliwell's own creation. In the stories, Ugenia will be accompanied by characters loosely based on Halliwell's celebrity friends, including Victoria Beckham and Gordon Ramsey. A new song has been recorded to accompany the book series, which could explain the recent sightings of Halliwell in recording studios. Further, an official website was set up.

Non-musical accomplishments

In 1999, after having left the Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell became a representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). As a goodwill ambassador, Halliwell toured the Philippines on a fact-finding trip. She visited with staff and clients of family planning clinics, women’s groups in slum areas, and college students.

In 2000, Geri Halliwell appeared in the two part documentary series Geri's World Walkabout for the BBC which followed her work with the UN and other travels. Geri met with kids in Rio de Janeiro and visited child piano-prodigies in the United States, among other things.

Halliwell picked up UN work again in 2006, by visiting Zambia from November 14th to 16th, to promote greater international awareness of the urgent need to reduce maternal death and halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. Both aims are contained in the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the world’s leaders in September 2000. She attended the first 2007 BBC4 Reith Lecture and can be heard asking questions on women's rights in the recording.

Discography

Studio albums

• Schizophonic June 15 1999 #4 UK
  Schizophonic
  June 15 1999
  #4 UK
• 
  Scream if You Wanna Go Faster
  May 21 2001
  #5 UK
• 
  Passion
  June 6 2005
  #41 UK

Singles

Year	Single	Album	Chart positions								Audio
			UK	CAN	ITA	MEX	AUS	NZ	FRA
1999	"Look at Me"	Schizophonic	2	3	3	12	3	1	27
	"Mi Chico Latino"		1	1	5	4		1
	"Lift Me Up"		1	1	19	8		23
2000	"Bag It Up"		1	1	14	73		18
2001	"It's Raining Men"	Scream If You Wanna Go Faster	1	11	1	1	4	15	1
	"Scream If You Wanna Go Faster"		8	36	9	2	40
	"Calling"		7			65			22
2004	"Ride It"	Passion	4			97	67
2005	"Desire"		22		19	41	78

B-sides

• 1999 G.A.Y (Mi Chico Latino B-Side)
• 1999 Summertime (Mi Chico Latino B-Side)
• 1999 Live and Let Die (Lift Me Up B-Side)
• 1999 Very Slowly (Lift Me Up B-Side)
• 2000 These Boots Are Made For Walking (Bag It Up B-Side)
• 2000 Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Bag It Up B-Side)
• 2001 I Was Made That Way (It's Raining Men B-Side/Scream If You Wanna Go Faster album track)
• 2001 Brave New World (It's Raining Men B-Side)
• 2001 New Religion (Scream If You Wanna Go Faster B-Side)
• 2001 Breaking Glass (Scream If You Wanna Go Faster B-Side)
• 2001 Getting Better (Calling B-Side)
• 2001 Destiny (Calling B-Side)
• 2005 True Love Never Dies (Desire B-Side)

Filmography

• 1993 Let's Make A Deal (Turkish Version) - Model
• 1997 Spice World - As Herself
• 2002 PopStars: The Rivals - Judge
• 2002 All American Girl - Judge/Host
• 2003 Sex and the City -Phoebe (Cameo)
• 2004 Fat Slags

Solo awards

So far, Geri Halliwell has only managed to garner one major musical award in her solo career. All of her other musical awards came with the band Spice Girls.

• 2000 Capital FM Awards Best British Female Singer -- Geri Halliwell

• 2002 NRJ Music Awards International Song of the Year -- It's Raining Men

External links

• Geri Halliwell Official Music Website
• Geri's Ugenia Lavender Stories Website
• GeriWorld.Com
• Geri Halliwell at WikiMusicGuide
• Geri Halliwell at IMDb