Editing Spice Girls (section)

==History==
===1994–1995: Formation and early years===
{{Quote box
 |quote = WANTED: R.U. 18–23 with the ability to sing/dance? R.U. streetwise, outgoing, ambitious, and dedicated? Heart Management Ltd. are a widely successful music industry management consortium currently forming a choreographed, singing/dancing, all-female pop act for a recording deal. Open audition. Danceworks, 16 Balderton Street. Friday 4th March. 11.00am–5.30pm. Please bring sheet music or backing cassette.
 |source = – Advertisement placed in ''[[The Stage]]''<ref name="spice girls form">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/11/spice-girls-form|title=A history of pop music: Spice Girls form|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=11 June 2011|first=Caroline|last=Sullivan|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210216124416/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/11/spice-girls-form|archive-date=16 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
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In the early 1990s, [[Bob Herbert (manager)|Bob Herbert]] and [[Chris Herbert]], the father-and-son duo of Heart Management, decided to create a girl group to compete with the [[boy band]]s who dominated UK pop music at the time.<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=9–11}}</ref> With the financier Chic Murphy, they envisioned an act comprising "five strikingly different girls"<ref name="rolling stone interview"/> who would each appeal to a different audience. In February 1994, Heart Management placed an advertisement in the trade paper ''[[The Stage]]'' asking for singers to audition for an all-female pop band at [[London|London's]] Danceworks studios.<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=13–15}}</ref> Approximately 400 women attended the audition on 4 March 1994. They were placed in groups of 10 and danced a routine to "[[Stay (Eternal song)|Stay]]" by [[Eternal (band)|Eternal]], followed by solo auditions in which they performed songs of their choice.<ref name=sinclair200838/>

After several weeks of deliberation, [[Victoria Beckham|Victoria Adams]], [[Mel B|Melanie Brown]], Melanie Coloma and [[Michelle Stephenson]] were among a dozen or so women who advanced to a second round of auditions in April. Suffering from a [[tonsillitis]],<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=50}}</ref> [[Melanie C]]hisholm couldn't be present at the second round of auditions. However, after said auditions, Melanie Coloma was let go by the Herberts, who called Melanie C to replace her, after<ref name=sinclair200838>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=3–8}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=40–41, 57}}</ref> [[Geri Halliwell]] persuaded the Herberts to let her attend the next round of auditions.<ref>{{harvnb|Halliwell|1999|pp=146–147}}</ref> A week after the second audition, Adams, Brown, Halliwell and Stephenson were asked to attend a recall at Nomis Studios in [[Shepherd's Bush]], performing "[[Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours]]" on their own and as a group.<ref>{{harvnb|Halliwell|1999|pp=151–152}}</ref> Chisholm was also invited.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2019|pp=60–61}}</ref> The five women were selected for a band initially named Touch.<ref name="Sinclair2728"/>

The group moved into a three-bedroom house in [[Maidenhead]], [[Berkshire]], and spent most of 1994 practising songs written for them by Bob Herbert's long-time associates [[John Thirkell]] and Erwin Keiles.<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997a|p=52}}</ref> According to Stephenson, the songs were aimed at a very young audience, and none were later used by the Spice Girls.<ref name="Sinclair29">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|p=29}}</ref> During these first months, the group worked on [[Demo (music)|demos]] at South Hill Park Recording Studios in [[Bracknell, Berkshire|Bracknell]] with the producer and studio owner Michael Sparkes and the songwriter and arranger [[Tim Hawes]]. They were also tasked with choreographing their own dance routines, which they worked on at Trinity Studios in [[Knaphill]], near [[Woking]], [[Surrey]].<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=58–61}}</ref> A few months into the training, Stephenson was fired for a perceived lack of commitment.{{refn|group=nb|According to Bob Herbert, she was fired because "she just wasn't fitting in... she would never have gelled with it and I had to tell her to go".<ref name=sinclair3031/> Stephenson later challenged Herbert's claim, stating that it was her decision to leave due to her mother being diagnosed with [[breast cancer]]. Adams later dismissed this claim, saying she "just couldn't be arsed" to put in the work the rest of the group was doing.<ref name=sinclair3031>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|pp=30–31}}</ref>}} Heart Management turned to the group's vocal coach, Pepi Lemer, to find a replacement. After Lemer's first recommendation declined the offer, Lemer recommended her former pupil [[Emma Bunton]], who auditioned for the Herberts and joined as the fifth member.<ref name=sinclair3031/>

As their training continued, the group performed small showcases for a few of Heart Management's associates. In one performance, they added a rap section they had written to one of Thirkell and Keiles' songs. Keiles was furious with the changes and insisted they learn to write songs properly. The group began professional [[Songwriter|songwriting]] lessons;<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=86–90}}</ref> during one session, they wrote a song called "Sugar and Spice" with Hawes, which inspired them to change their name to Spice.<ref name=mcgibbon9798>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=97–98}}</ref>

==== Signing with Virgin Records ====
By late 1994, the group felt insecure, as they still did not have an official contract with Heart Management and were frustrated with the management team's direction. They persuaded Herbert to set up a showcase performance in front of industry writers, producers and [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] men in December 1994 at the Nomis Studios, where they received an "overwhelmingly positive" reaction.<ref name="sinclair20083334" /> The Herberts quickly set about creating a binding contract for them. Encouraged by the reaction they had received at the Nomis showcase, all five members refused to sign the contracts on legal advice from, among others, Adams's father.<ref name="sinclair20083334">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=33–34}}</ref> In January, the group began songwriting sessions with [[Biffco|Richard Stannard]], whom they had impressed at the showcase, and his partner Matt Rowe. During these sessions the songs "[[Wannabe]]" and "[[2 Become 1]]" were written.<ref name="sinclair4049" />

In March 1995, the group left Heart Management, feeling Heart was unwilling to listen to their ideas. To ensure they kept control of their work, they allegedly stole the master recordings of their discography from the management offices.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|p=34}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|According to Tim Hawes, Halliwell had tricked him into giving her the master tapes, claiming the group needed them for rehearsals. Upon obtaining the tapes, the group walked out on Heart Management and Hawes never saw them again.<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997b|pp=100–102}}</ref> After signing them to his company a few months later, Simon Fuller paid off a £50,000 settlement with the Herberts to ensure the group would not face legal problems with their previous managers.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=114}}</ref>}} The next day, the group tracked down the [[Sheffield]]-based songwriter [[Eliot Kennedy]], who had been present at the Nomis showcase, and persuaded him to work with them. Through contacts they had made at the showcase, they were also introduced to the [[Absolute (production team)|Absolute]] production team. With Kennedy and Absolute's help, the group spent the next several weeks writing and recording demos for the majority of the songs that would be released on their debut album, including "[[Say You'll Be There]]" and "[[Who Do You Think You Are (Spice Girls song)|Who Do You Think You Are]]".<ref name="sinclair4049">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=40–49}}</ref> Their demos caught the attention of [[Simon Fuller]] of [[19 Entertainment]], who signed them to his management company in May 1995.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=66–68}}</ref>

By this point, industry buzz around Spice had grown and major record labels in London and Los Angeles were keen to sign them. After a bidding war, they signed a five-album deal with [[Virgin Records]] in July 1995.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=69–70}}</ref> Fuller took them on an extensive promotional tour in Los Angeles, where they met with studio executives in the hopes of securing film and television opportunities.<ref>{{harvnb|Halliwell|1999|pp=194, 197–198}}</ref> Their name was changed to the Spice Girls as a rapper was already using the name Spice. The new name was chosen as industry people often referred to them derisively as "the Spice girls".<ref>{{harnvb|Sinclair|2008|p=77}}</ref><ref name="sggen" /> They continued to write and record tracks for their debut album.<ref name="cripps141">{{harvnb|Spice Girls|Cripps|Peachey|1997|p=141}}</ref>

===1996–1997: Breakthrough===
{{Main|Spice (album)}}
On 8 July 1996, the Spice Girls released their debut single "[[Wannabe]]" in the United Kingdom. In the weeks before the release, the music video received a trial airing on music channel [[The Box (British and Irish TV channel)|the Box]].<ref name=sinclair75>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|p=75}}</ref> It was an instant hit and was aired up to seventy times a week at its peak.<ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997a|p=107}}</ref> After the video was released, the Spice Girls had their first live broadcast TV slot on [[LWT]]'s ''[[Surprise Surprise (British TV series)|Surprise Surprise]]''. Earlier in May, they had conducted their first music press interview with [[Paul Gorman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/from-the-archive-the-spice-girls-first-ever-interview/065364|title=From the archive: The Spice Girls first ever interview|work=[[Music Week]]|first=Daniel|last=Gumble|date=15 July 2016|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223092333/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/from-the-archive-the-spice-girls-first-ever-interview/065364|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> the contributing editor of trade paper ''Music Week'', at Virgin Records' Paris headquarters. His piece recognised that the Spice Girls were about to institute a change in the charts away from [[Britpop]] and towards out-and-out pop. He wrote: "Just when boys with guitars threaten to rule pop life—[[Damon Albarn|Damon]]'s all over ''[[Smash Hits]]'', [[Ash (band)|Ash]] are big in ''Big!'' and [[Liam Gallagher|Liam]] can't move for tabloid frenzy—an all-girl, in-yer-face pop group have arrived with enough sass to burst that [[Rockism|rockist]] bubble."<ref name=firstinterview>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.musicweek.com/files/IMG_5662.JPG|title=Spice Girls: Taking on the Britpop Boys|last=Gorman|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Gorman|magazine=[[Music Week]]|volume=38|issue=18|date=4 May 1996|issn=0265-1548}}</ref> "Wannabe" entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number three before spending the next seven weeks at number one. The song proved to be a global hit, hitting number one in 37 countries, including four consecutive weeks atop the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in the US, and becoming not only the best-selling debut single by an all-female group but also the best-selling single by an all-female group of all time.<ref name=bbc37/><ref>{{harvnb|McGibbon|1997a|pp=124–125}}</ref><ref name="PMS">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1434516/spice-girls-pms-on-the-money/|title=Spice Girls, PMS on the Money|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=1 October 1997|access-date=21 March 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217191142/http://www.mtv.com/news/1434516/spice-girls-pms-on-the-money/|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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Following the release of "Wannabe", an article in ''[[Top of the Pops (magazine)|Top of the Pops]]'' magazine identified each Spice Girl with a [[#Image, nicknames and fashion trends|unique nickname based on their personalities]]. Though unintended, the use of these nicknames became widespread and they were later adopted globally.<ref name="Intent Media"/> Riding a wave of publicity and hype, the group released their next singles in Europe. In October, "[[Say You'll Be There]]" was released topping the charts for two weeks. "2 Become 1" was released in December, becoming their first [[List of UK Singles Chart Christmas number ones|Christmas number one]] and selling 462,000 copies in its first week,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/classic-christmas-number-1s-spice-girls-2-become-1__17230/|title=Classic Christmas Number 1s: Spice Girls' 2 Become 1|last=Myers|first=Justin|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=1 December 2016|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210209094120/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/classic-christmas-number-1s-spice-girls-2-become-1__17230/|archive-date=9 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> making it the fastest-selling single of the year. The two tracks continued the group's remarkable sales, giving them three of the top five best-selling songs of 1996 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/flashback-to-1996-spice-girls-hit-number-1-with-say-youll-be-there__16652/|title=Flashback to 1996: Spice Girls hit Number 1 with Say You'll Be There|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=20 October 2016|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210209094345/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/flashback-to-1996-spice-girls-hit-number-1-with-say-youll-be-there__16652/|archive-date=9 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 1996, the Spice Girls released their debut album, ''Spice'', in Europe. The success was unprecedented and drew comparisons to [[Beatlemania]],<ref name="Spice-Beatles comparison" /> leading the press to dub it "Spicemania"<ref name="sun cover">{{cite web|url=https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/12268/wannabe-staat-al-twintig-jaar-voor-girlpower|title=Spice Girls hebben echte girlpower|publisher=[[NPO Radio 2]]|date=8 July 2016|language=nl|access-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709143142/https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/12268/wannabe-staat-al-twintig-jaar-voor-girlpower|archive-date=9 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="spicemania">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7640665/1997-alternative-rock-songs-turning-20-2017|title=20 Alternative Rock Hits Turning 20 in 2017|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Leslie|last=Richin|date=12 January 2017|access-date=21 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210209094912/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7640665/1997-alternative-rock-songs-turning-20-2017/|archive-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="spicemania 2">{{cite web|url=https://hellogiggles.com/love-sex/friends/the-power-of-growing-up-with-the-spice-girls/|title=The power of growing up with the Spice Girls|publisher=[[HelloGiggles]]|last=Epstein|first=Leonora|date=8 January 2016 |access-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217171118/https://hellogiggles.com/love-sex/friends/the-power-of-growing-up-with-the-spice-girls/|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and the group the "Fab Five".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1997/02/21/spice-girls-top/|title=Spice Girls on top|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=21 February 1997|first=Mike|last=Flaherty|access-date=5 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210405201648/https://ew.com/article/1997/02/21/spice-girls-top/|archive-date=5 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC Geri departure" /><ref name="fab five cnn">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9710/16/spice.dolls/index.html |title=Spice Girls get dolled up|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=16 October 1997|access-date=21 March 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210402154657/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9710/16/spice.dolls/index.html|archive-date=2 April 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> In seven weeks ''Spice'' had sold 1.8 million copies in Britain alone,<ref name="BPI">{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/|title=UK sales certificates database|publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]]|access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> making the Spice Girls the fastest-selling British act since the Beatles. In total, the album sold over 3 million copies in Britain,<ref name="BPI" /> the [[List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom|best-selling album]] of all time in the UK by a female group,<ref name="everyhit">Every Hit. [http://www.everyhit.com/recordalb.html Best-Selling Albums of All Time]. UK Database, ''Spice'' sold 2.9 million.</ref> certified ten times platinum,<ref name="BPI" /> and reached number one for fifteen non-consecutive weeks.<ref name="15 weeks">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/little-mixs-glory-days-is-the-longest-reigning-girl-group-number-1-since-spice-girls-debut-20-years-ago__17770/|title=Little Mix's Glory Days is the longest-reigning girl group Number 1 since Spice Girls' debut 20 years ago|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=13 January 2017|first=Jack|last=White|access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> In Europe the album became the best-selling album of 1997 and was certified 8× Platinum by the [[IFPI]] for sales in excess of 8 million copies.<ref name="IFPI 1997">{{cite web |work=[[IFPI]] |url=http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/platinum/plat1997.html |title=European sales certificate for ''Spice'' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306093646/http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/platinum/plat1997.html |archive-date=6 March 2006 |access-date=13 February 2017 }}</ref>

That same month, the Spice Girls attracted a crowd of 500,000 when they switched on the Christmas lights in [[Oxford Street]], London.<ref name="official timeline">{{cite web|website=thespicegirls.com (official website)|url=http://www.thespicegirls.com/facts/timeline|title=Timeline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816033017/http://www.thespicegirls.com/facts/timeline|archive-date=16 August 2012|access-date=16 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the same time, Fuller started to set up multi-million dollar sponsorship deals for the Spice Girls with [[Pepsi]], [[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]], [[Impulse (body mist)|Impulse]], [[Cadbury]] and [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]].<ref name="spicebrand" /> The group ended 1996 winning three trophies at the [[Smash Hits Poll Winners Party|''Smash Hits'' awards]] at the [[London Arena]], including best video for "Say You'll Be There".<ref name="cripps141" />

==== International success ====
In January 1997, "Wannabe" was released in the United States. It proved to be a catalyst in helping the Spice Girls break into the US market when it debuted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] Chart at number eleven. At the time, this was the highest-ever debut by a non-American act, beating the previous record held by the Beatles for "[[I Want to Hold Your Hand]]",<ref name="official timeline" /> and the joint highest entry for a debut act alongside [[Alanis Morissette]]'s "[[Ironic (song)|Ironic]]".<ref>{{harvnb|Golden|1997|p=xvii}}</ref> "Wannabe" reached number one in the US for four weeks. In February, ''Spice'' was released in the US, and became the [[List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 1997|best-selling album of 1997 in the US]], peaking at number one, and was certified 7× Platinum by the [[RIAA]]<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=spice#search_section|title=USA sales certificates database|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> for sales in excess of 7.4 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003608469|title= Ask Billboard|date= 6 July 2007|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017180717/http://billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003608469 |archive-date=17 October 2007}}</ref> The album was also included in the Top 100 Albums of All Time list by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) based on US sales.<ref>"[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=tblTop100&action= Gold and Platinum: Top 100 Albums] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725044825/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=tblTop100&action= |date=25 July 2013 }}". ''[[Recording Industry Association of America]]''. Retrieved 2 October 2007.</ref> In total, the album sold over 23 million copies worldwide<ref name="sales-worldwide" /> becoming the best-selling album in pop music history by an all-female group.<ref name="US sales" />

{{Quote box
 |quote = The dress has gone down in history – along with [[Elizabeth Hurley|Liz Hurley]]'s [[Black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley|safety-pin frock]] and [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Princess Diana]]'s [[Revenge dress|"revenge" gown]] – as one of the most memorable fashion moments of all time.
 |source = – ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]'' on Geri Halliwell's [[Union Jack dress]] at the [[1997 Brit Awards]].<ref name=harpersbazaar>{{cite magazine|title=It has been 20 years since Geri Halliwell wore the Union Jack dress|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/news/a40047/story-of-geri-halliwell-union-jack-brits-dress/|access-date=24 September 2019|magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|first=Amy de|last=Klerk|date=22 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219075051/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/news/a40047/story-of-geri-halliwell-union-jack-brits-dress/|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
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Later that month, the Spice Girls performed "[[Who Do You Think You Are (Spice Girls song)|Who Do You Think You Are]]" to open the [[1997 Brit Awards]], with Geri Halliwell wearing a [[Union Jack dress|Union Jack mini-dress]] that became one of pop history's most famed outfits.<ref name=harpersbazaar/><ref name="dress poll"/> At the ceremony, the group won two [[Brit Awards]]; Best British Video for "Say You'll Be There" and Best British Single for "Wannabe".<ref>{{cite web |last=McManus |first=Samuel |date=22 February 2017 |title=It's Been 20 Years Since the Spice Girls' Iconic 1997 Brit Awards Performance |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/its-been-20-years-since-the-spice-girls-iconic-1997-brit-awards-performance/13665/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219074136/https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/its-been-20-years-since-the-spice-girls-iconic-1997-brit-awards-performance/13665/ |archive-date=19 February 2021 |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]]}}</ref> In March 1997, a double A-side of "[[Mama (Spice Girls song)|Mama]]"/"Who Do You Think You Are" was released in Europe, the last from ''Spice'', which once again saw them at number one,<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=105–106}}</ref> making the Spice Girls the first group since [[the Jackson 5]] to have four consecutive number one hits.<ref name="official timeline"/>

''Girl Power!'', the Spice Girls' first book, was launched later that month at [[Virgin Megastores|Virgin Megastore]]. It sold out its initial print run of 200,000 copies within a day, and was eventually translated into more than 20 languages.<ref name=sinclair102103/> In April, ''[[One Hour of Girl Power]]'' was released; it sold 500,000 copies in the UK between April and June to become the best-selling pop video ever,<ref name=sinclair102103>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|pp=102–103}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Newsline: Music Video Shipments|date=20 September 1997|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |last=Solomons|first=Mark|volume=109|issue=38|page=45|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> and was eventually certified thirteen times platinum.<ref name=BPI/> In May, ''[[Spice World (film)|Spice World]]'', a film starring the group, was announced by the Spice Girls at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name=telegraphfilm/> The group also performed their first live UK show for [[the Prince's Trust]] [[benefit concert]].<ref name=smith142>{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=142}}</ref> At the show, they breached royal protocol when Brown and then Halliwell planted kisses on [[Charles III of the United Kingdom|Prince Charles']] cheeks and pinched his bottom, causing controversy.<ref name="official timeline"/> That same month, Virgin released ''[[Spice Girls Present... The Best Girl Power Album... Ever!]]'', a multi-artist [[compilation album]] compiled by the group. It reached number two on the [[UK Compilation Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-compilations-chart/19970518/7503/|title=Official Compilations Chart Top 100: 18 May 1997 – 24 May 1997|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404131636/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-compilations-chart/19970518/7503/|archive-date=4 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and was certified Gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]].<ref name=BPI/> At the [[Ivor Novello Awards]], "Wannabe" won the awards for International Hit of the Year and Best-Selling British Single.<ref name=ivors97/>

''Spice World'' began filming in June and wrapped in August.<ref>{{harvnb|Spice Girls|Cripps|Peachey|1997|p=142}}</ref> The film was to be set to the songs from the group's second studio album, but no songs had been written when filming began. The group thus had to do all the songwriting and recording at the same time as they were filming ''Spice World'', resulting in a gruelling schedule that left them exhausted.<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=113–114}}</ref> Among the songs that were written during this period was "[[Stop (Spice Girls song)|Stop]]", the lyrics for which cover the group's frustrations with being overworked by their management.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MelanieCmusic|first=Melanie|last=Chisholm|author-link=Melanie C |date=26 May 2020 |title=Lyrically this was about our feelings and how our lives had changed towards fame and our frustration with our management at the time, cause we all felt that we needed a little break|number=1264996086701330432|access-date=14 February 2021}}</ref>

In September, the Spice Girls performed "Say You'll Be There" at the [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards]] at [[Radio City Music Hall]] in New York City, and won Best Dance Video for "Wannabe".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1997/|title=1997 MTV Video Music Awards|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=20 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306130548/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1997/|archive-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> The MTV Awards came five days after the [[death of Diana, Princess of Wales]], with tributes paid to her throughout the ceremony. Chisholm stated, "We'd like to dedicate this award to Princess Diana, who is a great loss to our country."<ref>{{cite news|title=Princess's Death Overshadows Music Awards|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/mtv.html|access-date=24 September 2019|publisher=[[BBC News]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190603101234/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/mtv.html|archive-date=3 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> At the 1997 [[Billboard Music Award|''Billboard'' Music Awards]], the group won four awards for [[Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist|New Artist of the Year]], ''Billboard'' Hot 100 Singles Group of the Year, ''Billboard'' 200 Group of the Year and [[Billboard Music Award for Top Billboard 200 Album|''Billboard'' 200 Album of the Year]] for ''Spice''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=8th Annual Billboard Music Awards Draws A Record Crowd|date=27 December 1997|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=109|issue=52|page=50|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>

==== ''Spiceworld'' and feature film ====
{{Main|Spiceworld (album)}}
{{listen
| pos          = right
| filename     = Spiceupyourlife.ogg
| title        = "Spice Up Your Life"
| description  = "Spice Up Your Life" became the group's fifth consecutive chart-topper, which made them the first act to have its first five singles reach number one in the UK.
}}

In October 1997, the Spice Girls released the first single from their second album, ''Spiceworld'', "[[Spice Up Your Life]]". It entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, making it the group's fifth consecutive number-one single.<ref name="occ">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1633/spice-girls/|title=Spice Girls|access-date=13 September 2020|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> That same month, the group performed their first [[Girl Power! Live in Istanbul|live major concert]] to 40,000 fans in [[Istanbul]], Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Caroline |date=24 May 2019 |title='Tens of thousands of tots empty their lungs': relive the Spice Girls' first tour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/from-the-archive-blog/2019/may/24/tens-of-thousands-of-tots-empty-their-lungs-relive-the-spice-girls-first-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210301083555/https://www.theguardian.com/music/from-the-archive-blog/2019/may/24/tens-of-thousands-of-tots-empty-their-lungs-relive-the-spice-girls-first-tour |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Later, they launched [[the Royal British Legion]]'s [[Remembrance poppy|Poppy Appeal]],<ref name="poppy appeal">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/18054.stm|title=Spice Girls launch poppy appeal|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=29 October 1997|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210224182256/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/18054.stm|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> then travelled to South Africa to meet [[Nelson Mandela]], who announced, "These are my heroes."<ref name="bbcmandela">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/19796.stm|title=Now Mandela swaps political power for girl power|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=1 November 1997|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713132829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/19796.stm|archive-date=13 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November, the Spice Girls released ''Spiceworld''. It set a new record for the fastest-selling album when it shipped seven million copies over the course of two weeks. Gaining favourable reviews,<ref name="RS Spiceworld">{{cite magazine|last=Wild|first=David|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/spiceworld-193410/|title=Spice World|date=11 December 1997|access-date=13 September 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> the album went on to sell over 10 million copies in Europe,<ref name="IFPI 1998">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/platinum/plat1998.html|title=IFPI Platinum Europe Awards|access-date=13 September 2020|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306093651/http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/platinum/plat1998.html|archive-date=6 March 2006}}</ref> Canada,<ref name="CRIA">{{cite web|url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=spice|title=Gold/Platinum|work=Music Canada |date=17 January 1997 |access-date=13 September 2020|publisher=[[Music Canada]]}}</ref> and the United States<ref name="RIAA" /> combined, and 14 million copies worldwide.<ref name="spiceworldsales">{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=167}}</ref>

Criticised in the United States for releasing the album just nine months after their debut there, which gave the group two simultaneous Top 10 albums in the ''Billboard'' album charts,<ref name="two top 10">{{cite magazine |last=Bronson |first=Fred |author-link=Fred Bronson |title=Usher Seesaws in the U.S., U.K. |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=110 |issue=7|page=106|date=14 February 1998|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> and suffering from over-exposure at home,<ref name="poppy appeal" /> the Spice Girls began to experience a media backlash. They were criticised for their number of sponsorship deals—more than 20—and their chart positions declined.<ref name="thebiographychannel1">{{cite web|url=https://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/people/the-spice-girls|title=The Spice Girls|access-date=13 September 2020|publisher=[[Lifetime UK]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125165649/https://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/people/the-spice-girls|archive-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Spice Girls remained the best-selling pop group of both 1997 and 1998.<ref name="sinclair2008148149">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=148–149}}</ref>

On 7 November 1997, the Spice Girls performed "Spice Up Your Life" at the [[MTV Europe Music Awards]] and won the [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Group|Best Group award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/24645.stm|title=Spice Girls scoop MTV Europe best group award|date=7 September 1997|access-date=13 September 2020|publisher=[[BBC News]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710190921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/24645.stm|archive-date=10 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The morning of the performance, they fired Fuller and began managing themselves.<ref>{{harvnb|Halliwell|1999|pp=304–306}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|After firing Fuller, Beckham said they each took charge of one aspect of the band's business: Beckham oversaw their finances, Chisholm their touring, Brown their record label dealings, Bunton their charity work, and Halliwell their sponsorships.<ref>{{harvnb|Beckham|2001|p=249}}</ref>}} To ensure a smooth transition, Halliwell allegedly stole a mobile phone from Fuller's assistant that contained the group's schedule and Fuller's business contacts.<ref>{{harvnb|Beckham|2001|pp=244–245}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|According to Chisholm, it was a [[Filofax]] [[personal organizer]] that Halliwell allegedly stole.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/11/melanie-c-spice-girls-secret-meeting-after-lockdown-drag/|title=Proud trans ally Melanie C received a 'huge education' working with drag queens and non-binary dancers|work=[[PinkNews]]|date=11 December 2020|first=Matilda|last=Davies|access-date=18 March 2021|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210315111412/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/11/melanie-c-spice-girls-secret-meeting-after-lockdown-drag/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The firing was front-page news around the world. Many commentators speculated that Fuller had been the mastermind behind the group, and that the Spice Girls had lost their impetus and direction.<ref>{{harvnb|Halliwell|1999|p=374}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Marre |first=Oliver |date=14 January 2007 |title=The man with stars in his eyes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jan/14/broadcasting.pop |access-date=18 September 2011 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Fuller went on to form the pop group [[S Club 7]], which he described as a continuation of ideas he had had for the Spice Girls but with a softer, more uplifting image.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Corner |first=Lewis |date=16 January 2014 |title=S Club 7 were a continuation of the Spice Girls, says Simon Fuller |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a544375/s-club-7-were-a-continuation-of-the-spice-girls-says-simon-fuller/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424013619/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a544375/s-club-7-were-a-continuation-of-the-spice-girls-says-simon-fuller/ |archive-date=24 April 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>}}

Later in November, the Spice Girls became the first pop group to host [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]'s ''[[An Audience with...]]''<ref name="itv.com">{{cite web
|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/30yearsofanaudiencewith/week29/default.html|title=30 Years of An Audience With, Episode 1|publisher=ITV
|date=6 July 2010|access-date=17 August 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100718090357/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/30yearsofanaudiencewith/week29/default.html|archive-date= 18 July 2010}}</ref> Their show was watched by 11.8 million viewers in the UK, one fifth of the population.<ref name="Sinclair 2004, p. 148">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|p=148}}</ref> In December 1997, the second single from ''Spiceworld'', "[[Too Much (Spice Girls song)|Too Much]]", was released, becoming the Spice Girls' second [[List of UK Singles Chart Christmas number ones|Christmas number one]] and their sixth consecutive number-one UK single. That month, the Spice Girls launched a feature-length film, ''[[Spice World (film)|Spice World]]''. The world premiere, at the [[Empire, Leicester Square|Empire Theatre]] in [[Leicester Square]], London, was attended by celebrities including Prince Charles, [[Prince William]] and [[Prince Harry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9712/15/spice.royals/index.html|title=Spice Girls meet princes at movie premiere|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=16 December 1997|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210303004517/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9712/15/spice.royals/index.html|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was a commercial success but received poor reviews.<ref name="telegraphfilm" /> The Spice Girls ended 1997 as the year's most played artist on American radio.<ref name="PR news">[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spiceworld-album-sales-jump-as-spice-girls-new-pop-vehicle-steadily-gains-velocity-77633112.html 'Spiceworld' Album Sales Jump, as Spice Girls' New Pop Vehicle Steadily Gains Velocity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218113602/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spiceworld-album-sales-jump-as-spice-girls-new-pop-vehicle-steadily-gains-velocity-77633112.html |date=18 February 2017}}. PR Newswire. 20 November 1997. Retrieved 18 February 2017.</ref>

=== 1998: Spiceworld tour and Halliwell's departure ===
In January 1998, the Spice Girls attended the US premiere of ''Spice World'' at the [[Mann's Chinese Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2782/positivity-vibe-at-hollywood-spice-world-premiere/|title='Positivity' Vibe at Hollywood 'Spice World' Premiere|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=23 January 1998|first=Teri|last=vanHorn|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210303010402/http://www.mtv.com/news/2782/positivity-vibe-at-hollywood-spice-world-premiere/|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the [[American Music Awards of 1998|1998 American Music Awards]] a few days later, they won the awards for [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album|Favorite Album]], Favorite New Artist and [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group|Favorite Group]] in the pop/rock category.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1998/music/news/spice-nice-thrice-at-american-music-awards-1117467124/|title=Spice nice thrice at American Music Awards|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=26 January 1998|access-date=6 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210406143457/https://variety.com/1998/music/news/spice-nice-thrice-at-american-music-awards-1117467124/|archive-date=6 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In February, they won a special award for overseas success at the [[1998 Brit Awards]],<ref name="brits98">{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1998|title=Brit Awards 1998|publisher=[[Brit Awards]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326191951/http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1998|archive-date=26 March 2010|access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> with combined sales of more than 45 million albums and singles worldwide.<ref name="45mrecords">{{Cite magazine|title=Brits Around The World '98: Brit Publishers Are Scoring All Over The World|first=David|last=Stark|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=7 February 1998|page=50|volume=110|issue=6|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> That night, the group performed their next single, "[[Stop (Spice Girls song)|Stop]]",<ref name="brits98" /> their first not to reach number one in the UK, entering at number two.<ref name="occ" /> On 24 February 1998, the Spice Girls embarked on the [[Spiceworld Tour]], starting in Dublin, Ireland, before moving to mainland Europe and North America and returning to the UK for two performances at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/174271.stm|title=Girl Power coming to Wembley|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=18 September 1998|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712162314/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/174271.stm|archive-date=12 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, the Spice Girls sang on the official [[England national football team|England]] World Cup song "[[(How Does It Feel to Be) On Top of the World]]", their last song with Halliwell until 2007.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

On 31 May 1998, Halliwell announced her departure from the Spice Girls through her solicitor.<ref name="BBC Geri departure">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/103637.stm|title=Ginger snaps|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=31 May 1998|access-date=17 November 2007|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217161634/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/103637.stm|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Halliwell's departure was the subject of a lawsuit by [[Aprilia]] World Service B.V. (AWS), a manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters. The resulting ''[[Spice Girls Ltd v Aprilia World Service BV]]'' is now the [[leading case]] in [[English law]] on misrepresentation by conduct.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McKendrick|first=Ewan|title=Contract Law – Text, Cases, Materials, 4th edition|chapter=Chapter 17: Misrepresentation|year=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, New York|isbn=978-0-19-957979-2|pages=588–592|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/contractlawtextc0000mcke/page/588}}</ref>}} The announcement was preceded by days of frenzied press speculation after Halliwell missed two concerts in Norway and was absent from a performance on ''[[The National Lottery Draws]]''.<ref name="BBC Geri departure" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-spice-girls-144-1390291|title=Ginger Spice's Absence Fuels UK Media Speculation|work=[[NME]]|date=29 April 1998|access-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210415164046/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-spice-girls-144-1390291|archive-date=15 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Halliwell first cited creative differences,<ref name="BBC Geri departure" /> and later said that she was suffering from exhaustion and disillusionment. Rumours of a power struggle with Brown circulated in the press.<ref name="gerirolling">{{cite magazine |last=Sherman |first=Heidi |date=2 June 1998 |title=Ginger Spice's Departure Marks 'End of the Beginning' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ginger-spices-departure-marks-end-of-the-beginning-107320/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210209092247/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ginger-spices-departure-marks-end-of-the-beginning-107320/ |archive-date=9 February 2021 |access-date=26 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="geriplastic">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yes-geri-it-s-hard-to-break-out-when-you-re-cast-in-plastic-1162320.html |title=Yes, Geri – it's hard to break out when you're cast in plastic|first=Rosie|last=Millard|date=31 May 1998|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220211027/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yes-geri-it-s-hard-to-break-out-when-you-re-cast-in-plastic-1162320.html|archive-date=20 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Halliwell's departure shocked fans and became one of the biggest entertainment news stories of the year, making international headlining news.<ref name="gerileaves" /><ref name="billboardbreakup">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=946313|title=Spice Girls Break-Up Shook Up 1998|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103021631/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=946313|archive-date=3 November 2012}}</ref> The four remaining members were adamant that the group would carry on.<ref name="BBC Geri departure" />

The North American leg of the Spiceworld Tour went on as planned, beginning in [[West Palm Beach, Florida]], on 15 June, and grossing $93.6 million over 40 sold-out performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Spice of Road Life | date=24 May 2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VxQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=spice+girls+tour+%2493.6+million&pg=PA48 |publisher=Billboard}}</ref> The tour was attended by an estimated 2.1 million people over 97 shows with an estimated gross of $220-$250 million, the highest-grossing concert tour by a female group.<ref name="bbcatoz" /> It was accompanied by a documentary film, ''[[Spice Girls in America: A Tour Story]]''.<ref name="atourstory">{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/c4-buys-spice-girls-doc/1214631.article|title=C4 buys Spice Girls doc|work=[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]|date=21 May 1999|url-access=subscription|access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref> "[[Viva Forever]]", the last single released from ''Spiceworld'', and became the Spice Girls' seventh UK's number-one. The video was made before Halliwell's departure and features all five members in [[stop-motion]] animated form.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-flashback-1998-spice-girls-viva-forever__4580/|title=Official Chart Flashback 1998: Spice Girls, Viva Forever|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=27 July 2017|first=Rob|last=Copsey|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210226175250/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-flashback-1998-spice-girls-viva-forever__4580/|archive-date=26 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

While on tour in the United States, the Spice Girls wrote and recorded new material. They released a new song, "[[Goodbye (Spice Girls song)|Goodbye]]", before Christmas in 1998.<ref name="songwriters" /> It was seen as a tribute to Halliwell, although parts of it had originally been written when Halliwell was still a part of the group. It became the Spice Girls' third consecutive [[List of UK Singles Chart Christmas number ones|Christmas number one]], equalling the record previously set by [[the Beatles]].<ref name="OCGoodbye">{{cite web |last=Myers |first=Justin |date=20 December 2013 |title=Official Charts Flashback 1998: Spice Girls – Goodbye |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/features/official-charts-flashback-1998-spice-girls-goodbye-2688/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222154920/http://www.officialcharts.com/features/official-charts-flashback-1998-spice-girls-goodbye-2688/ |archive-date=22 December 2013 |access-date=22 December 2013 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> In November, Bunton and Chisholm appeared at the [[1998 MTV Europe Music Awards]] without their other bandmates, accepting two awards on behalf of the Spice Girls for Best Pop Act and Best Group.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 November 1998 |title=Spice Girls take MTV crown |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/213410.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710152830/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/213410.stm |archive-date=10 July 2012 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> That year, Brown and Adams announced they were pregnant. Brown was married to the dancer Jimmy Gulzer and became known as Mel G for a brief period; she gave birth to their daughter Phoenix Chi in February 1999.<ref name="people">{{cite news |last=Dougherty |first=Steve |date=27 November 2000 |title=Bitter Season |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=https://people.com/archive/bitter-season-vol-54-no-22/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210409095738/https://people.com/archive/a-bitter-pill-vol-54-no-10/ |archive-date=9 April 2021}}</ref> Adams gave birth a month after to her son [[Brooklyn Beckham|Brooklyn]], whose father was the [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] footballer [[David Beckham]]. Later that year, she married Beckham in a highly publicised wedding in Ireland, taking on his surname, becoming Victoria Beckham.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 July 1999 |title=David and Victoria tie the knot |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/383151.stm |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711144657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/the_posh_wedding/383151.stm |archive-date=11 July 2012}}</ref>

===1999–2000: ''Forever'', solo work, hiatus and split===
{{Main|Forever (Spice Girls album)}}
[[File:Spicegirls-holler.JPG|thumb|230px|The Spice Girls as a four-piece performing "Holler" in [[Cologne]], Germany at the Return of the Spice Girls tour]]
By 1999, Brown, Bunton, and Chisholm, had all released music as solo artists.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=What's it all about? Solo Spice Girls|magazine=[[Melody Maker]]|volume=76|issue=41|date=16 October 1999|page=8}}</ref> They returned to the studio in August 1999 after an eight-month recording break. It was initially more pop-influenced, similar to their first two albums, and included production from Eliot Kennedy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/spice-girls-producer-duped-leaking-5157667|title=Spice Girls producer was duped into leaking songs by fraudster now selling them for £10,000 EACH|last=Beech|first=Richard|date=13 February 2015|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150216204947/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/spice-girls-producer-duped-leaking-5157667|archive-date=16 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The sound took on a more mature direction when American producers including [[Rodney Jerkins]], [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]] came on board to collaborate with the group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spice Girls Bring Family Style, R&B Sound To Forever |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/pdaqsd/spice-girls-bring-family-style-rb-sound-to-forever |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810134709/https://www.mtv.com/news/pdaqsd/spice-girls-bring-family-style-rb-sound-to-forever |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2022 |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref>

In December 1999, the Spice Girls embarked on a UK tour, [[Christmas in Spiceworld]], in London and Manchester, during which they showcased new songs from the third album.<ref>{{cite web |work= [[The Guardian]]|url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/dec/17/1 |title= In brief |date= 17 December 1999|access-date=9 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150409004408/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/dec/17/1|archive-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The eight-show tour was attended by more than 153,000 people, grossing $5.7 million in ticket sales. The first four shows, at [[Manchester Arena|Manchester Evening News Arena]], grossed $2.6 million; the second portion of the tour saw the group play another four shows at [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court Arena]], grossing $3.1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2019 |title=Spice Girls Dominate June Boxscore Recap With Scaled Up Stadium Shows |url=https://www.hitmusic.tv/rock-news/spice-girls-dominate-june-boxscore-recap-with-scaled-up-stadium-shows/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=HitMusic |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120100615/https://www.hitmusic.tv/rock-news/spice-girls-dominate-june-boxscore-recap-with-scaled-up-stadium-shows/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Earlier in the year, the Spice Girls recorded the song "My Strongest Suit" for ''[[Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida]]'', a concept album which became the musical ''[[Aida (musical)|Aida]]''. The Spice Girls performed again at the [[2000 Brit Awards]] in March, where they received the Lifetime Achievement award. Halliwell attended but did not join her former bandmates on stage.<ref name="lifetime">{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Maev|date=3 March 2000|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/mar/03/maevkennedy|title=Spice Girls win lifetime achievement award|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150409004411/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/mar/03/maevkennedy|archive-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2000, the Spice Girls released their third and final album, ''[[Forever (Spice Girls album)|Forever]]''. With an edgier [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] sound, it received lukewarm reviews.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hunter|first=James|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/spicegirls/albums/album/188922/review/5943248|title=Forever – Review|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=11 March 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807015109/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/spicegirls/albums/album/188922/review/5943248 |archive-date=7 August 2007 }}</ref> In the US, it reached number 39 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart. In the UK, it was released the same week as [[Westlife]]'s ''[[Coast to Coast (Westlife album)|Coast to Coast]]'' and the chart battle was widely reported by the media; Westlife reached number one and the Spice Girls number two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1020090.stm|title=Westlife triumph in album battle|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=13 November 2000|access-date=15 April 2017}}</ref> The lead single, the double A-side "[[Holler (Spice Girls song)|Holler]]" / "[[Let Love Lead the Way]]", became Spice Girls' ninth UK number one.<ref name="newsbbc2">{{cite news|title= Spice Girls make pop history |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/997495.stm |access-date=7 December 2013 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=29 October 2000}}</ref> It failed to enter the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, reaching number seven on the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] chart and number 31 on the [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart. The Spice Girls' only major performance of the single came at the [[2000 MTV Europe Music Awards]] in November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/EMA-nominations/story-22938087-detail/story.html |title=2014 MTV EMA nominations: Top 10 most memorable EMA moments |work=[[Nottingham Post]] |date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150409030239/http://www.nottinghampost.com/EMA-nominations/story-22938087-detail/story.html |archive-date=9 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In total, ''Forever'' sold over four million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/spice-girls-re-release-third-album-forever-for-the-first-time-on-vinyl/ |title=Spice Girls Re-Release Third Album ''Forever'' for the First Time on Vinyl! |date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The Spice Girls ceased promotional activities in December 2000, as they began an indefinite hiatus to concentrate on their solo careers.<ref name="simth206">{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=206}}</ref> They insisted that the group was not splitting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/spicegirls/news/January2001/news17663.asp|title=Spice Girls Go on Forever |date=30 January 2001 |work=[[Dotmusic]] |access-date=9 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010309051440/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/spicegirls/news/January2001/news17663.asp |archive-date=9 March 2001}}</ref>

===2007–2008: Return of the Spice Girls and ''Greatest Hits''===
{{Main|The Return of the Spice Girls Tour|Greatest Hits (Spice Girls album)}}
[[File:Spice Girls 2008 01 cropped.jpg|230px|thumb|left|The Spice Girls performing "Wannabe" as the closing number of their [[Return of the Spice Girls Tour]], at the [[Air Canada Centre]], in Toronto]]

On 28 June 2007, all five members of the Spice Girls, held a press conference at [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] revealing their intention to reunite for a worldwide concert tour, the [[The Return of the Spice Girls Tour|Return of the Spice Girls]].<ref name="reunion">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6246448.stm |title=Spice Girls announce reunion tour |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=28 June 2007 |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526070622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6246448.stm|archive-date=26 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The plan to re-form had long been speculated by the media, with previous attempts by the organisers of [[Live 8]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4113814.stm|title=Mel B 'blocking Spice comeback' |publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=21 June 2005|access-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222150654/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4113814.stm|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Concert for Diana]] to reunite the group as a five-piece falling through.<ref name="well seasoned rumour">{{cite web|first=Natalie|last=Finn|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=e3303910-79a7-41d2-9c62-4c3b1291f202|title=Spice Girls Reunion a Well-Seasoned Rumor|work=[[E! Online]]|date=8 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612051735/http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=e3303910-79a7-41d2-9c62-4c3b1291f202|archive-date=12 June 2008|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> Each member of the group was reportedly paid £10 million ($20 million) to do the reunion tour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/victoria-beckham-may-have-finally-agreed-spice-girls-reunion/|title=Say You'll Be There: Spice Girls to reunite for 'new opportunities' after meeting for first time in six years|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=3 February 2018|first=Alice|last=Vincent|access-date=6 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210406192220/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/victoria-beckham-may-have-finally-agreed-spice-girls-reunion/|archive-date=6 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Giving You Everything]]'', an official documentary film about the reunion, was directed by Bob Smeaton and first aired on Australia's [[Fox8]] on 16 December 2007,<ref>{{cite web|date=15 December 2007|url=https://amp.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/spice-impersonators-hit-oz/news-story/faf0dfaca45f5c9f02e99ebcac14a7f6|title=Spice impersonators hit OZ|work=[[Herald Sun]]|access-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220190650/https://amp.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/spice-impersonators-hit-oz/news-story/faf0dfaca45f5c9f02e99ebcac14a7f6|archive-date=20 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by [[BBC One]] in the UK on 31 December.<ref name=givingyoueverything>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october/19/spice.shtml|title=New Spice Girls documentary on BBC One|publisher=BBC Press Office|date=19 October 2007|access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref>

Ticket sales for the first London date of the Return of the Spice Girls tour sold out in 38 seconds.<ref name=38seconds/> It was reported that over one million people signed up in the UK alone and over five million worldwide for the ticket ballot on the band's official website.<ref name=38seconds>BBC News. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7021976.stm Fans snap up Spice Girls tickets]. [[BBC]]. Retrieved 14 October 2007.</ref> Sixteen additional dates in London were added,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071024100906/http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jptpBr1II7GVx3BUcccOEyHGViog Spice Girls add more dates to tour]. The Press Association. Retrieved 18 November 2007.</ref> all selling out within one minute.<ref name="abcnews1"/> In the United States, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Jose shows also sold out, prompting additional dates to be added.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-10-04 |title=Spice Girls add new London dates |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7027582.stm |access-date=2023-03-20}}</ref> It was announced that the Spice Girls would be playing dates in Chicago and Detroit and Boston, as well as additional dates in New York to keep up with the demand. The tour opened in Vancouver on 2 December 2007, with the Spice Girls performing to an audience of 15,000 people, singing 20 songs and changing outfits a total of eight times.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Veronica |date=3 December 2007 |title=Spice Girls wow Canada in first of reunion concerts |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2991080.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530132406/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2991080.ece |archive-date=30 May 2010 |access-date=15 December 2007 |work=[[The Times]]}}</ref> Along with the tour sellout, the Spice Girls licensed their name and image to the supermarket chain [[Tesco]].<ref name="tesco ad">{{cite web|last=Levy|first=Megan|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1569111/Spice-Girls-front-Tesco-advertising-campaign.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1569111/Spice-Girls-front-Tesco-advertising-campaign.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Spice Girls front Tesco advertising campaign|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=12 November 2007|access-date=17 November 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The Spice Girls' comeback single, "[[Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)]]", was announced as the official [[Children in Need]] charity single for 2007 and was released 5 November. The first public appearance on stage by the Spice Girls occurred at the [[Victoria's Secret Fashion Show]], where they performed two songs, 1998 single "Stop" and the lead single from their greatest hits album, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)". The show was filmed by CBS on 15 November 2007 for broadcast on 4 December 2007.<ref name="yahoo2007">Sage, Alexandria. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214180751/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071116/music_nm/victoriassecret_spicegirls_dc Spice Girls strut down Victoria's Secret runway]. Yahoo News. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2007.</ref> They also performed both songs live for the BBC [[Children in Need 2007|Children in Need telethon]] on 16 November 2007 from Los Angeles. The release of "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" peaked at number eleven on the [[UK Singles Chart]], making it the group's lowest-charting British single to date. The album peaked at number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]]. On 1 February 2008, it was announced that due to personal and family commitments their tour would come to an end in Toronto on 26 February 2008, meaning that tour dates in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, [[Cape Town]] and [[Buenos Aires]] were cancelled.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7223629.stm "Spice Girls cut short world tour"]. [[BBC News]]. Retrieved 2 February 2008.</ref>

The tour was the highest-grossing concert act of 2007–2008, measured as the twelve months ending in April 2008.<ref name="abcnews1">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/IndustryInfo/story?id=5534950&page=1 |title=Spice Girls, Prince Rake in Concert Cash |work=ABC News |last=Randall|first=David K.|date=11 August 2008|access-date=8 August 2009}}</ref> It produced $107.2 million in ticket sales and merchandising, with sponsorship and ad deals bringing the total to $200 million.<ref name=Billboard08>{{cite magazine|date=24 May 2008|first=Catherine Applefeld|last=Olson|title=The Spice of Road Life|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=120|issue=21|page=48|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The tour's 17-night sellout stand at the O<sub>2</sub> Arena in London was the highest-grossing engagement of the year, netting £16.5 million (US$33 million) and drawing an audience of 256,647, winning the 2008 [[Billboard Touring Awards|''Billboard'' Touring Award]] for Top Boxscore.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043438/springsteen-chesney-rule-billboard-touring-awards |title=Springsteen, Chesney Rule Billboard Touring Awards |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=20 November 2008 |access-date=18 February 2017 }}</ref><ref name="archive1">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/charts/top25-boxscores.shtml |title=Top 25 Boxscores&nbsp;– Billboard Year In Music 2008 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=21 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212220910/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/charts/top25-boxscores.shtml |archive-date=12 December 2008 }}</ref> The group's comeback also netted them several other awards, including the [[Capital London|Capital Music]] Icon Award, the [[Glamour (magazine)|''Glamour'' Award]] for Best Band, and the [[Vodafone live!|Vodafone Live Music Award]] for Best Live Return, the last of which saw them beat out acts such as [[Led Zeppelin]] and the [[Sex Pistols]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Irvine|first=Chris|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2987921/Spice-Girls-beat-Led-Zeppelin-to-win-Vodafone-music-award-for-reunion-of-the-year.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2987921/Spice-Girls-beat-Led-Zeppelin-to-win-Vodafone-music-award-for-reunion-of-the-year.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Spice Girls beat Led Zeppelin to win Vodafone music award for reunion of the year|date=19 September 2008|access-date=22 May 2013|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===2010, 2012: ''Viva Forever!'' and London Olympics===
[[File:Spice Girls Viva Forever.jpg|thumb|right|The Spice Girls at the ''Viva Forever!'' premiere night, 2012]]

At the [[30th Brit Awards|2010 Brit Awards]], the Spice Girls received a special award for "Best Performance of the 30th Year".<ref name="Brits 30"/> The award was for their 1997 Brit Awards performance of "Wannabe" and "Who Do You Think You Are", with Geri Halliwell and Mel B receiving the award from [[Samantha Fox]] on behalf of the group.<ref name="Brits 30">{{cite news |last=Adshead |first=Adam |date=16 February 2010 |title=Spice Girls win The Brits Hits 30 award at Brit Awards 2010 |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/brit-awards-2009-16-1303544 |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

That year, the Spice Girls collaborated with Fuller, [[Judy Craymer]] and [[Jennifer Saunders]] to develop a stage musical, ''[[Viva Forever! (musical)|Viva Forever!]]''. Similar to the [[ABBA]] musical ''[[Mamma Mia! (musical)|Mamma Mia!]]'', ''Viva Forever!'' used the group's music to create an original story.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/viva-forever-mamma-mia-creator-creates-spice-girls-musical-v050tt750p6 |work=The Times |location= London |title= Viva Forever Mamma Mia creator creates Spice Girls musical |first= Ben |last= Hoyle |date= 22 January 2010 |access-date=15 January 2025 }}</ref> In June 2012, to promote the musical, the Spice Girls reunited for a press conference at the [[St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel]], where the music video for "Wannabe" had been filmed<ref name="West End">{{cite web|last=Masters|first=Tim|date=26 June 2012|title=Spice Girls unveil West End show|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18576789|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209141856/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18576789|archive-date=9 December 2012|access-date=26 June 2012|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> exactly sixteen years earlier.<ref name=sinclair75/> They also appeared in the documentary ''Spice Girls' Story: Viva Forever!'', which aired on 24 December 2012 on [[ITV1]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Karmali |first=Sarah |date=21 December 2012 |title=Victoria Beckham: "No One Wanted To Date Me" |work=[[British Vogue|Vogue]] |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/spice-girls-documentary-christmas-eve-victoria-beckham-viva-forever |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023013003/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/spice-girls-documentary-christmas-eve-victoria-beckham-viva-forever |archive-date=23 October 2019}}</ref> ''Viva Forever!'' premiered at the West End's [[Piccadilly Theatre]] in December 2012, with all five Spice Girls in attendance.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 December 2012|title=Spice Girls reunite at musical Viva Forever premiere – Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9738785/Spice-Girls-reunite-at-musical-Viva-Forever-premiere.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215021927/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9738785/Spice-Girls-reunite-at-musical-Viva-Forever-premiere.html|archive-date=15 December 2012|access-date=22 December 2012|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London}}</ref> It was panned by critics<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/columns/mister-producer/2013/02/viva-forever-vs-the-bodyguard/|title=Viva Forever! vs The Bodyguard – Mister Producer – The Stage<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> and closed after seven months, with a loss of at least £5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dirty Dancing to replace Viva Forever! in the West End |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/dirty-dancing-to-replace-viva-forever-in-the-west-end |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=The Stage |language=En}}</ref>

In August 2012, the Spice Girls reunited to perform a medley of "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life" at the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]].<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2517152/spice-girls-olympics-closing-ceremony-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726071519/http://www.mtv.com/news/2517152/spice-girls-olympics-closing-ceremony-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 July 2016 |title=Spice Girls Reunite For 2012 London Olympics Closing Ceremony in Style|publisher=[[MTV]] News|date=12 August 2012|access-date= 22 February 2017}}</ref> Their performance received acclaim, and became the most-tweeted moment of the Olympics with over 116,000 tweets per minute on [[Twitter]].<ref name="olympicstweet">{{cite web |last=Brynley-Jones |first=Luke |date=22 January 2013 |title=Spice Girls break Tweets-per-minute record at No. London2012 |url=https://www.socialmediatoday.com/content/spice-girls-break-tweets-minute-record-london2012-infographic |access-date=28 June 2013 |website=Social Media Today}}</ref>

=== 2016, 2018–2019: G.E.M and Spice World tour ===
{{main|Spice World – 2019 Tour}}
On 8 July 2016, Brown, Bunton and Halliwell released a video celebrating the 20th anniversary of "Wannabe" and teased news from them as a three-piece.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spicegirlsgem.com/ |title=spicegirlsgem.com |access-date=8 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114010128/http://www.spicegirlsgem.com/ |archive-date=14 January 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Beckham and Chisholm opted not to take part but gave the project their blessing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yoxqXSiTgE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/_yoxqXSiTgE| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Mel B Addresses Spice Girls Reunion Rumors|date=8 September 2016|via=YouTube|access-date=18 September 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> A new song, "Song for Her", was leaked online in November.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harp|first1=Justin|title=The Spice Girls GEM reunion song 'Song For Her' just leaked|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a814886/the-rumoured-spice-girls-gem-reunion-song-song-for-her-just-leaked/|work=Digital Spy|access-date=29 November 2016|date=23 November 2016}}</ref> The reunion project was cancelled due to Halliwell's pregnancy.<ref name=geri90s/>

[[File:SpiceGirlWembley150619-2 (48999823438).jpg|thumb|left|The Spice Girls (without Beckham) perform at [[Wembley Stadium]], London, June 2019.]]
In late 2018 the Spice Girls officially
announced their second reunion tour, with tickets going on sale in November 2018. They also revealed they would do it as a four-piece without Beckham, as she declined to join due to commitments regarding her fashion business.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46095818|title=Viva Four-Ever: Spice Girls confirm reunion tour (without Victoria Beckham)|publisher=[[BBC News]]|first=Lucy|last=Todd|date=5 November 2018|access-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210222131627/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46095818|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Each of the four participating members was reportedly paid £12 million for the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/0827/987746-spice-girls-agree-reunion-deal-without-beckham/|title=Spice Girls 'agree reunion deal' without Victoria Beckham|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|date=27 August 2018|access-date=6 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210406194047/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/0827/987746-spice-girls-agree-reunion-deal-without-beckham/|archive-date=6 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 May 2019, they began the [[Spice World – 2019 Tour]] of the UK and Ireland at [[Croke Park]] in [[Dublin]], Ireland. The tour concluded with three concerts at London's [[Wembley Stadium]], with the last taking place on 15 June 2019. Over 13 dates, the tour produced 700,000 spectators and earned $78.2 million in ticket sales.<ref name=2019boxscore>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|title=Current Boxscore|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627152544/https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-date=27 June 2019|access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref> The three-night sellout stand at Wembley Stadium was the highest-grossing engagement of the year, drawing an audience of 221,971 and winning the 2019 [[Billboard Live Music Awards|''Billboard'' Live Music Award]] for Top Boxscore.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/billboard-live-music-summit/8542860/pink-legend-live-tour-year-award-live-music-summit| title=P!nk Accepts Legend of Live and Tour of the Year Award at Billboard Live Music Summit|first=Chris|last=Eggertsen|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=6 November 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210526180357/https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/billboard-live-music-summit/8542860/pink-legend-live-tour-year-award-live-music-summit/|archive-date=26 May 2021|access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> Despite sound problems in the early concerts, Anna Nicholson in ''The Guardian'' wrote, "As nostalgia tours go, this could hardly have been bettered."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Spice Girls: cake fights and catty talk – what could be better?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/01/spice-girls-cake-fights-and-catty-talk-what-could-be-better|first=Rebecca|last=Nicholson|date=1 June 2019|access-date=31 July 2019|work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210222153317/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/01/spice-girls-cake-fights-and-catty-talk-what-could-be-better|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Alongside the tour, the group teamed up with the children's book franchise ''[[Mr. Men]]'' to create derivative products such as books, cups, bags and coasters.<ref name=mrmen>{{cite web|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/5415504/the-spice-girls-launch-their-own-childrens-book-with-mr-men-and-little-miss/|title=The Spice Girls Launch Their Own Children's Reading Books With Mr. Men And Little Miss|publisher=[[Inquisitr]]|first=Fabio|last=Magnocavallo|date=30 April 2019|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219172622/https://www.inquisitr.com/5415504/the-spice-girls-launch-their-own-childrens-book-with-mr-men-and-little-miss/|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://shop.mrmen.com/collections/spice-girls|title=Little Miss Spice Girls|work= [[Mr. Men]]|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222134449/https://shop.mrmen.com/collections/spice-girls|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 June 2019, it was reported that [[Paramount Animation]] had greenlit an animated Spice Girls film with old and new songs. The project will be produced by Simon Fuller and written by [[Karen McCullah]] and [[Kirsten Smith (writer)|Kirsten Smith]]. A director has not been announced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/paramount-plans-spice-girls-movie-as-part-newly-unveiled-animation-slate-1217519|title='Spice Girls' Movie in the Works as Paramount Unveils Animation Slate (Exclusive)|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=12 June 2019|first=Carolyn|last=Giardina|access-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210222123219/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/paramount-plans-spice-girls-movie-as-part-newly-unveiled-animation-slate-1217519|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-spice-girls-are-getting-an-animated-movie-and-all-five-members-are-on-board/|title=The Spice Girls are getting an animated movie – and all five members are on board|publisher=[[CBS News]]|first=Sophie|last=Lewis|date=12 June 2019|access-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210222122840/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-spice-girls-are-getting-an-animated-movie-and-all-five-members-are-on-board/|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2020–2024: Anniversary commemorations===
To mark the 25th anniversary of "Wannabe", an EP was released in July 2021 that included previously unreleased demos.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Friendship Never Ends: Spice Girls Reflect on 25 Years of 'Wannabe'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9598137/spice-girls-wannabe-25-anniversary-celebrate/ |last=Dailey|first= Hannah|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=9 July 2021 |date=8 July 2021}}</ref> On 29 October, the Spice Girls released ''Spice25'', a deluxe reissue of ''Spice'' featuring previously unreleased demos and remixes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/01/spice-girls-re-releasing-debut-album-for-25th-anniversary-15188044/ |title=Spice Girls are back to spice up our lives by re-releasing debut album for 25th anniversary |website=metro |last=Kelly|first=Emma|date=September 2021 |location=United Kingdom |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/spice-girls-share-deluxe-edition-of-debut-album-and-new-wannabe-video-3082610|title= Spice Girls share deluxe edition of debut album and new 'Wannabe' video|last=Richards|first=Will|website=NME|date=29 October 2021|access-date=29 October 2021}}</ref> The deluxe release saw the album reenter the UK Albums Chart at number five.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/|title= Official Albums Chart Top 100 05 November 2021 – 11 November 2021|website=Official Charts|date=5 November 2021|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref>

On 27 September 2022, the Spice Girls announced the tracklisting for ''Spiceworld25'', the 25th anniversary edition of their album ''Spiceworld''. The new collection features previously unreleased live versions and remixes, plus previously available B-sides "Walk of Life" and "Outer Space Girls" and a megamix.<ref name="Step">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/spice-girls-to-release-25th-anniversary-edition-of-spiceworld-3317904|title=Spice Girls to release 25th anniversary edition of 'Spiceworld'|website=NME|last=Shutler|first=Ali|date=27 September 2022|access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref> Their song "[[Step to Me]]" was released digitally for the first time ever on the same day as the album announcement.<ref name="Step"/> ''Spiceworld25'' was released on 4 November 2022 and charted at number 46 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/spice-girls-spiceworld25-anniversary-album-release-date-tracklisting-formats-and-step-to-me-release-confirmed__36835/|title=Spice Girls' Spiceworld25 anniversary album: Release date, tracklisting, formats and Step To Me release confirmed|website=Official Charts|last=Smith|first=Carl|date=27 September 2022|access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20221111|title=Official Albums Chart Top 100 11 November 2022 - 17 November 2022|website=Official Charts|date=11 November 2022|access-date=11 November 2022}}</ref> To promote the reissue, new music videos for "Spice Up Your Life" and "Never Give Up on the Good Times" were also released.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/spice-girls-spice-up-your-life-video-unseen-footage-1235155479/|title=Spice Girls Release Revamped 'Spice Up Your Life' Video With Unseen Footage|magazine=Billboard|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=13 October 2022|access-date=13 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVQ1ZaLmfJ8 | title=Spice Girls - Never Give up on the Good Times (Official Music Video) | website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

The [[Royal Mail]] issued fifteen stamps from 11 January 2024 onwards to mark the 30th anniversary of the Spice Girls.<ref name="Stamps">{{cite news |last= Nanji |first= Noor |date= 5 January 2023 |title= Spice Girls to feature on commemorative set of stamps for 30th anniversary |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67882101 |work= BBC News |access-date= 5 January 2023}}</ref>