Geri Halliwell

Geraldine Estelle Halliwell-Horner, born on 6 August 1972, is an English singer, songwriter, television personality, author, and actress. Born in Hertfordshire, she achieved international fame in the late 1990s as a member of the pop group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Ginger Spice. The group became the best-selling female group in history, selling over 75 million albums and 100 million records worldwide, with Halliwell closely identified with their "girl power" slogan and Union Jack dress.

Halliwell was born at Watford General Hospital in Watford, Hertfordshire, to Ana María Hidalgo and Laurence Francis Halliwell. She grew up on a council estate in North Watford and attended Watford Grammar School for Girls and Camden School for Girls. Prior to her music career, Halliwell worked as a nightclub dancer in Mallorca, a presenter on the Turkish version of Let's Make a Deal, and a glamour model, including an appearance as a Page 3 girl at age 19.

In 1994, Halliwell joined the girl group originally named Touch alongside Melanie C, Mel B, and Victoria Beckham, with Emma Bunton joining later. Renamed the Spice Girls, the group signed with Virgin Records and released their debut album, Spice, in 1996. The album sold 30 million copies globally and produced hit singles including "Wannabe". Their 1997 follow-up album, Spiceworld, sold 20 million copies, and the group starred in Spiceworld: The Movie. Halliwell departed the group in May 1998, citing depression and differences.

Following her departure, Halliwell launched a solo music career by signing with EMI. Her debut album, Schizophonic (1999), featured the UK number-one singles "Mi Chico Latino", "Lift Me Up", and "Bag It Up". Her 2001 second album, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, produced a cover of "It's Raining Men", which became a global hit and won an NRJ Music Award. She released her third studio album, Passion, in 2005, which featured the UK top-five single "Ride It", and later released the single "Half of Me" in Australia in 2013.

Halliwell rejoined the Spice Girls for several reunions. The group released a Greatest Hits album and embarked on The Return of the Spice Girls concert tour from 2007 to 2008. She performed with the quintet at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games and helped launch the 2012 musical Viva Forever!. In 2019, she reunited with the band for the Spice World concert tour.

Beyond her recording career, Halliwell has worked extensively in television, film, and publishing. She served as a judge on talent shows including Popstars: The Rivals, The X Factor UK, and Australia's Got Talent. Her acting roles include appearances in Fat Slags, Crank: High Voltage, and Gran Turismo. As an author, she published two autobiographies, If Only and Just for the Record, along with the children's book series Ugenia Lavender and the young adult series Rosie Frost.