Girlband Rivalry: Spice Girls and All Saints – Friends or Foes?
For years, the music charts were dominated by two iconic British girl groups: the effervescent Spice Girls and the edgier All Saints. Their contrasting styles and massive success naturally fuelled speculation about a rivalry, with whispers of animosity between members circulating for decades. However, recent revelations have shed new light on the dynamics between these pop powerhouses.
A New Era of Friendship
Emma Bunton, affectionately known as ‘Baby Spice’, has recently put to rest lingering rumours of a feud between the Spice Girls and All Saints. Appearing on Heart Radio, Emma caught up with All Saints members Nicole and Natalie Appleton, and the conversation quickly turned to their past interactions.
Emma kicked off the discussion with a clear statement: “Now I need to start off by saying we are mates.” This was immediately echoed by Nicola, who affirmed, “We are mates!” Natalie wholeheartedly agreed, reinforcing the sentiment.
Emma elaborated on their long-standing connection, revealing, “We are bessie mates! And I think, only because someone just the other day said, ‘Oh, I thought you and All Saints back in the 90s, you didn’t get on.’ We are mates! We went to school together!”
Natalie chimed in, highlighting the depth of their acquaintance: “We have always been mates! I mean, we’ve known you since we were eleven. And do you know what? I’ve always said you’ve always been exactly the same.”
Nicola sweetly added, “You have not changed!” with Natalie describing Emma as “The sweetest, most beautiful, most loving person.” These heartfelt declarations suggest a genuine bond that has endured the pressures of the music industry.
The Lingering Shadow of Competition
Despite these warm affirmations, not all members of All Saints have been as quick to dismiss the competitive spirit of the 90s. Melanie Blatt, a prominent voice within All Saints, has previously spoken candidly about her feelings regarding the Spice Girls’ meteoric rise.
Last November, Melanie playfully admitted on Sunday Brunch that she would “forever have beef” with the Spice Girls, following fan interpretations that she appeared “bitter” about her rival band’s overwhelming success. The documentary Girlbands Forever had revisited this topic, with Melanie expressing her frustration that All Saints had toiled for years, only for the “manufactured” Spice Girls to achieve instant global fame.
All Saints, comprising Melanie, Shaznay Lewis, Nicole, and Natalie, had a different genesis and approach to their music compared to the Spice Girls. Discussing the perceived rivalry, Melanie didn’t shy away from acknowledging the sentiment. When hosts suggested she came across as bitter, she paused before declaring, “I am.”
The admission was met with laughter, as Melanie continued, “I am bitter. I’m bitter and I’m jealous.” She explained that while she held a close friendship with Emma Bunton, her reservations stemmed from the Spice Girls’ perceived commercialisation. “I love Emma, she’s a good mate,” she stated. “Mel C I know a little bit and she’s amazing. It was more the concept of having music and selling crisps and lollipops and stuff like that that I had a problem with.”
Melanie elaborated on the core of her discontent: “We worked so hard, even being called a girlband it felt like a dirty word to us because we just wanted to be a band. We didn’t want to have to be put into this box or that box.” She concluded with a definitive statement on her enduring feelings: “I did have a major problem. I’ll have beef until I die with them. I will.”
Her sentiment was rooted in the perceived disparity in their journeys: “I genuinely had a problem with them, all the years of work we’d put in and then they just came out and blew up so quickly. And were obviously manufactured. The band was made for a purpose.”
All Saints enjoyed a successful career, with their final reunion wrapping up in 2022. Their hits, including “Never Ever,” “Black Coffee,” and “Bootie Call,” remain beloved.
The Spice Girls, on the other hand, became a global phenomenon. Formed in 1994, the group consisting of Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Mel B, Emma Bunton, and Mel C, are renowned for anthems like “Wannabe,” “Spice Up Your Life,” and “2 Become 1.”
Allegations of Physical Altercations
Beyond the realm of creative differences and chart competition, there have been more dramatic claims of conflict. In 2016, Mel B alleged that she had a physical altercation with Shaznay Lewis during the peak of their fame. Mel B recounted a story on the Allegedly podcast, claiming she beat up Shaznay in a toilet brawl after Shaznay gave her “attitude.” Mel B sensationally declared she had won the fight, stating, “I went in the bathroom and tried to rip her weave off. And she chokes me and then we kinda got split up but I won.”
However, Shaznay vehemently refuted these claims. A spokesperson for Shaznay described the story as “horrible” and stated there was “no truth” to Mel B’s allegations. The representative clarified that Mel B had once attended an All Saints show and was invited to the after-party, where she and Shaznay had a brief, friendly chat. The spokesperson expressed bafflement as to why Mel B would fabricate such a story, given their limited interaction.
These contrasting accounts highlight the complex and often sensationalised narratives that surround iconic bands. While Emma Bunton and some of her bandmates from All Saints now profess friendship, the echoes of intense competition and even more serious allegations continue to shape the public’s perception of these two legendary girl groups.
