Christine Sams talks to the former Ginger Spice about the hunt for happiness.
She read the self-help book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway before quitting the Spice Girls; now Geri Halliwell has become a wannabe female empowerment guru - via her new album of course.
Halliwell, best known as Ginger Spice (the feisty, busty and outspoken member of the Spice Girls) is trying to turn girl power into "woman power" as she reaches out to her female fans.
"That's the whole point [of my new songs]," she says. "I'm far more of service singing about human, personal things we can all relate to, rather than talking about what it's like to be a pop star who's famous. That's of no use to anyone.
"The flavour of who I am is to be authentic and honest and speak to my fellow females. Like everyone else, there are shitty bits of my life which piss me off, but equally there are some amazing, amazing things which I am so grateful for."
On Halliwell's third solo album Passion, there are songs including Love Never Loved Me, Loving Me Back To Life and Feel The Fear - a track the singer admits is a personal dedication to the motivational book written by Susan Jeffers which prompted Halliwell to quit one of the world's most famous pop groups.
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AdvertisementIn the seven years since the Spice Girls broke up, Halliwell has been a tabloid mainstay in Britain and other countries including Australia - with well-documented stories about weight loss, romances (most notably Robbie Williams bragging he had slept with her), her relatively lacklustre solo albums and her shift to Los Angeles.
Not to mention the ongoing behind-the-scenes feuds with other Spice Girls and continued talk of a possible reunion between the band members.
It's a little surprising then, when Halliwell declares: "I have no interest in celebrity - none.
"There are some benefits of being famous, it's a wonderful voice that can be used productively, but the rest of it . . . well let's just say with maturity and age, you take it for what it is," she says.
"The reason I called this album Passion is because I realised through the journey of making the album I must be bloody passionate about music, because of the ordeal of making it and getting through it."
Halliwell has already openly acknowledged that her new album will be bagged by critics, but says she doesn't care about the scale of its success. "I was quite happy to sell this album out of the boot of my car," she says. "Or even give it out free on the internet.
"It was more about the loyalty and connection with my fans, who have been so supportive of me. This album was about sharing what I've been working on in the past four years."
Geri Halliwell
Halliwell says her fresh creative perspective was far removed from her self-described "alter ego", Ginger Spice. "I realise it's all about my attitude; I've had to get an attitude adjustment big time," Halliwell says. "Otherwise I couldn't continue.
"Of course, there are also different shades and levels to my personality, like everyone. The evolution of Ginger Spice and leaving it behind a little bit doesn't mean it wasn't authentic. But everybody changes."
The singer insists she is now oblivious to all the stories and innuendo about her life. Instead, Halliwell has spent the past few years exploring her emotions from the inside out (no doubt topping up on those self-help books in Los Angeles) and, at 32, is declaring she is a changed woman.
"I think I've probably changed more in the last year than ever before," she says, pausing for reflection. "In my 20s, I was quite confused and totally in the woods. When I reached 30, I was just coming out of it. Now I feel as though I have a sense of self.
"I came back to London last year and I kind of got back into my old behaviours - being a bit neurotic and caught up in drama. I found it quite painful and I think it's been a massive indication of the need for change.
"I've let go of a lot of drama, a lot of chaos actually. I don't need it any more."
Spice Girls fans can rest assured, Halliwell is still funny and cheeky (she openly admits to still having one or two pairs of her trademark platform shoes in her cupboard). But after all her self-analysis and inner exploration, the singer can occasionally be over-earnest.
When I jokingly ask who she now thinks is sexier, Prince Charles (whom she famously pinched on the bottom) or Robbie Williams, she pauses somewhat seriously and says: "I think they're both very handsome, charming men. Both full of charisma. Which the world appreciates."
It seems clear Halliwell is still searching for the right man, something many of her female fans can relate to.
When asked whether it's hard to find a man when you're famous, Halliwell says: "I dunno, how do you find a boyfriend when you're not?
"I've realised it's OK and really liberating not to know the answers. I've realised life just happens. We show up for it, put ourselves out there, put a bit of footwork in, then just let go and see what happens."
From girl power to global power, Halliwell is happy to canvas the big issues when it comes to women's voices being heard. "I think there were plenty of women before me, a hundred years ago chaining themselves to Parliament to get the vote . . . the suffragettes. Then it went through the ages of burning bras, to the Spice Girls saying, 'You know what? You're allowed to speak up for your wants and your needs'," she says.
But you get the sense Halliwell is happiest talking about her own change in confidence - her newfound sense of personal power - and helping women to realise they're OK, too.
"I find it so inspiring when I see a plump woman or a curvy woman or a stick-thin woman who are just all right with it," she says. "I think my job is being comfortable with myself, too."
Girl power unplugged
IT was the most talked about musical reunion in Britain - the Spice Girls reforming for Sir Bob Geldof's Live 8 concert on July 2. But despite rumours that the all-girl band was dumped from the final line-up, Geri Halliwell has revealed there may have been continued problems between the band mates.
"I can't speak for the other girls, I can only speak for myself," Halliwell told S. "But I would have loved to do it, I was totally up for doing it.
"I could never imagine a better reason to do such a thing, for Live 8," she said. "I love that sense of the world coming together saying we care. I would love to be part of such a thing. And to stand with my fellow girls - I think it'd be amazing. But it looks like it's not going to happen."
Halliwell said she was still holding out faint hope the band might appear, but only "if there was some miracle". Otherwise the singer said she was determined to make a difference through her everyday actions.
"Sometimes when I watch the news I feel really humbled by how I can take my life for granted. I look at what's going on in Third World countries and I feel ashamed," she said. "Politically the world is so complicated. It feels so big and so beyond anything I could ever imagine solving.
"But then I realise perhaps I can't make the biggest difference, I can't bring world peace, but maybe I can make that tiny little bit of change by being kind to the next person, being that little bit more giving, just doing a bit more."
Geri Halliwell's new album Passion is released on July 3, through EMI music.
Source: The Sun-Herald (AU)
