Brown, Melanie (1975–)
Brown, Melanie (1975–)
English singer. Name variations: Melanie B, Mel B, Scary Spice, The Spice Girls. Born Melanie Janine Brown, May 29, 1975, in Leeds, England; sister of Danielle Brown (actress); attended Leeds College of Music and Northern School of Contemporary Dance; m. Jimmy Gulzar (dancer), Sept 13, 1998 (div. Jan 2001); children: daughter Phoenix Chi (b. Feb 19, 1999).
Performed with pop group, Touch; with other members of Touch band, formed Spice Girls in London (1994); with group, released "Wannabe," the 1st debut single by an all-girl band to enter international charts at #1 (1997), followed by the album, Spice, which went to #1 in UK charts, and was the 1st debut album by UK performers to enter US charts at #1 (1997); had other Top-10 singles, including "Say You'll be There" and "2 Become 1"; released smash-hit album Spiceworld and film of same name (1997); like other members of the group, took on solo projects after unsuccessful Spice album, Forever (2000); released several solo hit singles, including "I Want You Back," "Tell Me" and "Word Up"; appeared in tv series, "Burn It" (2002); made stage debut in West End in Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues (2002).
See also Catch A Fire: The Autobiography (Headline, 2002).