Geraldine Estelle Halliwell entered the world on the 6th August 1972 and grew up in Watford, London with parents
Lawrence and Ana Maria and her older siblings, half brother Paul, half sister Karen, brother Max and sister Natalie
. Her parents are from Swedish, English and Spanish descent and she was brought up as a Jehova's Witness.
Geri attended Callowland Infant School and Watford Grammar School for Girls,
and did not have a background in singing, dancing or musical theatre like the other girls. However, she was ambitious and
wanted to make it in the business, and started out as a presenter on Turkish TV, doing nude modelling, and also worked in
Majorca as a dancer.
She was interested in the position advertised in 'The Stage' for a girl group, and turned up to the call back
auditions. She is described as a blagger, and though not the greatest singer or dancer (needing more coaching than the others)
she got into the group and had great success with the Spice Girls and was a vocal spokesperson for the group. She attracted much publicity in 1997 when she wore a Union
Jack Dress to the Brits. In 1998 however, she decided to leave the band. Some think it may be due to bad relationships
between the girls (mainly Geri and Mel B).
When she left, she pursued solo projects and had a 90 minute documentary on Channel 4 as well as becoming a UN
Ambassador. Her first album, Schizophonic, did well with 'Look At Me', 'Lift Me Up', 'Mi Chico Latino', 'Bag It Up' scoring
her one Number 2 and 3 Number 1's in the UK.
In 2001, the next album 'Scream If You Wanna Go Faster' was released and she had hits with 'It's Raining Men',
'Scream If You Wanna Go Faster' and 'Calling'. Her next release was in 2004, 'Passion' which included 'Ride It'
and 'Desire' which did well in dance charts, both reaching Number 1 in the UK. She has 11 UK Number 1's (7 with
Spice Girls, 4 solo) like Melanie C.
Geri has released 2 autobiographies - 'If Only' and 'Just For The Record' - as well as successful yoga DVD's.
She has appeared in TV shows like 'Sex & The City', judged various reality TV shows (including that which found UK girl
band Girls Aloud). Her appearance has changed since leaving the Spice Girls too, losing her once famous curves and it has
been reported she's suffered with bullimia in the past.
In 2006, she had her first child, Bluebell Madonna (with Sascha Gervasi). In 2007 it was announced
the girls were reforming for a reunion, and rehearsals for a 3 month tour began.
