Geri Halliwell’s departure from the Spice Girls sent shockwaves through the music industry almost two decades ago, but it made her eventual reunion with the group all the more rewarding. The English girl group specialized in dance and teen pop, releasing music with the message of “girl power” that took the world by storm. They debuted in 1996 with their single “Wannabe” and boasted an incredibly successful career until the Spice Girls’ hiatus in 2000. Selling over 100 million records worldwide, they are the best-selling female group of all time.
The Spice Girls featured five members who each embodied a different persona. Mel B was Scary Spice, Melanie C was Sporty Spice, Emma Bunton was Baby Spice, Victoria Beckham was Posh Spice, and Geri Halliwell was Ginger Spice. Although the group never had an outright designated leader, Halliwell always felt like the glue that held them together. Some may even consider her the most iconic member, as her slogan “Girl Power!” was essentially the group’s overall brand. Her key role in the group’s success is what made her eventual departure feel all the more shocking.
Geri Halliwell Left The Spice Girls Due To “Creative Differences”
Halliwell Left In 1998
Following the success of “Wannabe,” the Spice Girls released a slew of other hit songs like “Stop,” “Spice Up Your Life,” and “Who Do You Think You Are.” They dominated the pop scene in the late 90s, so Halliwell’s sudden departure from the group in 1998 caused chaos. Some were already speculating about Ginger Spice’s exit due to her missing two concerts, and her departure was finally confirmed on May 31, 1998. The main reasons cited for her exit were creative differences and depression, later adding that she suffered from exhaustion and disillusionment in her years of performing.
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Halliwell’s departure was undoubtedly one of the biggest pieces of entertainment news in 1998, and it was especially controversial because the Spice Girls were set to head out on their North American tour in the following months. Though the group completed their tour as a four-piece and still found relative success afterward, they were never truly the same without Halliwell. The alleged creative differences became more evident with the Spice Girls’ third and final studio album, Forever, as their music started to take on more of an R&B sound rather than their usual dance pop.
Geri Halliwell Rejoined The Spice Girls For The 2007 Reunion
The Reunion Tour Featured All Five Members
Two years after Halliwell’s departure, the Spice Girls eventually went on an indefinite hiatus in 2000 after years of popularity. The members spent the following years focusing on their solo careers, both in music and other business ventures. There had been some talk of getting the group back together for various projects, but the reunion didn’t manifest until 7 years after their initial split. In 2007, all five members returned for the Spice Girls reunion tour, Return of the Spice Girls. The tour sold out in 38 seconds, boasting one of the most highly-anticipated musical reunions of all time.
Halliwell’s return for the Spice Girls’ 2007 reunion was especially notable because it proved that all the members were on good terms. There didn’t seem to be any bad blood lingering from the years of Ginger Spice’s departure, and Halliwell really just needed the time to recuperate after years of being in the world’s biggest girl group. Alongside their reunion tour, the group released a greatest hits album aptly titled Greatest Hits. Featuring only one single, “Headlines (Friendship Never Ends),” the rest of the album was a compilation of their most popular songs.
Geri Halliwell Made A Name For Herself Outside of Ginger Spice
She Is One Of The Most Successful British Female Solo Artists
While her presence was definitely missed at the time, leaving the Spice Girls turned out to be a great decision for Halliwell. She released her debut solo album in 1999, just over a year after her departure. Schizophonic achieved great success both in sales and on the charts, landing Halliwell several UK number-one singles. On her second album Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, her remake of the Weather Girls’ It’s Raining Men earned her another chart-topper and even a BRIT nomination. To this day, Halliwell remains one of the British female solo artists with the most number-one hits.
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The most notable part about Halliwell’s solo career was that she was able to make a name for herself outside of Ginger Spice. Releasing music under her own name separated her from the Ginger Spice persona and helped her solo career truly seem like her own thing rather than riding off the coattails of the Spice Girls. It was a devastating blow for fans at the time, but Halliwell’s Spice Girls departure ultimately helped her grow as an artist to the point where she was comfortable enough to return for the 2007 reunion.
