Geri Halliwell

Geri Halliwell is an award winning singer and songwriter. In 1994, she became a member of the British, all-girl pop group, the Spice Girls. She replaced Suzanne Tinker, who couldn't make it to the last audition. Signed to Virgin Records in September 1995, along with Halliwell, the group was comprised of Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm. The Spice Girls released their debut single, "Wannabe," in 1996, which hit No. 1 in more than 30 countries, and instituted the girls as a global phenomenon. The song became the biggest-selling single by an all-female group. In November 1996, the Spice Girls released their debut album, "Spice in Europe," which was so successful it has been compared to Beatlemania.

Halliwell was dubbed "Ginger Spice" by Top of the Pops magazine in 1996, and became known for her outrageous, sexually suggestive outfits, platform heels and red hair.

On May 30, 1998, Halliwell publicly announced that she would be leaving the Spice Girls due to differences within the group. The announcement generated much controversy, and the other members were forced to complete their North American tour without her.

Not long after, in 1999, Halliwell released her first solo single, "Look at Me," from her album, "Schizophonic," which sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. Her second album, "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster," and its hit single, "It's Raining Men," won the International Song of the Year Award at the 2002 NRJ Music Awards. With 11 No. 1 singles—seven as a member of the Spice Girls and four as a solo artist—Halliwell has the most No. 1 songs of any British female singer in U.K. chart history.

Halliwell wrote two autobiographies, "If Only" (1999) and "Just for the Record" (2002), both chronicling her rise to fame. She also wrote a series of children's books called "Ugenia Lavender," which follows the adventures of a 9-year-old narrator.

Although the Spice Girls drifted apart in the late '90s to pursue other projects, the Spice Girls reunited for a series of concerts in 2007 and 2008. In June 2012, the group reunited again, this time to announce the creation of a new musical about the rise and fall of the Spice Girls. "Viva Forever!," named after the group's 1998 No. 1 single, opened in London in 2012.

In August 2012, the Spice Girls, including Halliwell, performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, held in London. That same year, Halliwell released her fourth studio album, "Putting On The Bling." In addition to her music career, she has appeared as a guest judge on The X Factor, released a series of yoga DVDs and started a bathing suit line.

Halliwell is a survivor of Anorexia and Bulimia. She sought help for her eating disorders in 2002. Halliwell gave birth to her first child, daughter Bluebell Madonna Halliwell, on May 14, 2006.