Pop star Mel B opens up about her experiences with racism

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Mel B says she grew up “feeling different”.

The 48-year-old pop star has revealed she developed “a good sense of justice” after facing racism in her youth.

Mel – who was born and raised in Leeds, northern England – told the Guardian newspaper: “I grew up feeling different.

“My dad is from Nevis in the Caribbean and my mum is an English rose. There weren’t many mixed race kids in Leeds so I was always called horrible names: mixed race, red skinned.

“But I was raised with a lot of love and trust from my parents. They said, ‘You are who you are.’ I was nicknamed ‘The Breeze’ as a kid, because I was running around. I was hyperactive and a sponge.”

Mel’s father also experienced racism at Leeds and it helped shape his “moral stance”.

The singer – who shot to fame as part of the Spice Girls in the 90s – explained: “We were banned from going to the working men’s club on our street, because my dad was black. given a good idea of ​​justice and taking a moral posture.

“When I walked into the Spice Girls, I went back to that club and I said, ‘I’m going to report you. No, actually I’m going to buy this place, because you wouldn’t let me in when I ‘was a child.'”

Mel enjoyed huge success as part of the Spice Girls. However, she acknowledges that they are all “very different” people.

Mel – known as Scary Spice – explained: “We were very different and decided to be ourselves.

“I didn’t straighten my hair and I was probably one of the first people to say publicly, ‘I like men and women.’ It was refreshing to see five girls who looked completely different get along, singing songs they had written in support of girls and women.”

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