Victoria Beckham Reveals What Prompted Her to Leave the Spice Girls
Victoria Beckham is a force in the fashion world, but her run with the Spice Girls is what launched her into superstardom.
Assembled like the Avengers, the girl group pumped out pop music hits such as “Wannabe” and “2 Become 1,” and ushered in a worldwide movement of girl power.
Ambition and celebrity played a role in the group’s breakup, with each member moving on to other personal and professional endeavors. Beckham recently reflected on the catalyst behind her decision to quit the group, and it has to do with Sir Elton John.
Gerri Halliwell was the first to depart the Spice Girls
Together, the Spice Girls have sold more than 80 million records worldwide and they also set a few records during their musical journey. Posh Spice (Beckham), Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell), Sporty Spice (Melanie Chisholm), Scary Spice (Melanie Brown), and Baby Spice (Emma Bunton) dropped their first single in 1996, debuted in the U.S. in 1997, and coasted to fame.
But behind the scenes, fractures in the group started to form and Halliwell quit in 1998 — in the middle of a tour. She spoke about her departure in the Spice Girls’ 2007 BBC Documentary and said she thought she gave all she could.
“I just felt like the band had gotten so big — and the girls were almost like they didn’t need me anymore,” said Halliwell. She summed up her feelings by saying she didn’t feel like she belonged anymore.
Beckham came to a similar realization.
Victoria Beckham had an epiphany and wanted to leave
Victoria Beckham also participated in the documentary and said when she was younger, she wanted to be a singer, dancer, or actor. That dream came true with the group. The Spice Girls officially split up in 2001, and for Beckham, there was a moment that led to her final decision.
She wrote a reflective letter to herself for the January 2021 issue of British Vogue addressing her past and younger selves. Beckham mentioned family, career, and the current state of the world, then touched on her dreams.
“Remember years ago, watching your dear friend Elton John on stage in Las Vegas. He performed ‘Tiny Dancer’, as if it were the first time, and you realised this was like oxygen for him,” she mused.
“It was a life-changing moment — while singing and dancing was fun for you, it wasn’t your passion. That day, you started your quest to uncover your own dreams. It was time to step away from being a Spice Girl. For the first time, you were venturing out on your own, and it was terrifying. It was scary to close a chapter that defined you,” Beckham recollected.
She reminded herself about taking on challenges and looking forward to discovering what’s ahead.
There’s still hope for another Spice Girls reunion
Back in 2012, the Spice Girls treated excited fans to a mini reunion during the London Olympics. They performed a medley of hits and afterward, fans’ wishes for a full reunion ensued. 2019 brought the women back together for a tour — sans Beckham — and now there are plans for a future round of shows.
Melanie C spoke with Apple’s Zane Lowe during a Jan. 10 appearance on his show and said she believes Beckham “is coming around” to the idea of one more reunion tour. Fans will have to see how things pan out for the band and whether the Spice Girls are part of Beckham’s upcoming plans.
