Portrait of the artist: Melanie Chisholm, singer'I recently saw the video for Say You'll Be There. And I thought: Wow, we're good!'

Melanie Chisholm or Mel C - formerly Sporty Spice of Spice Girls fame, who is now appearing in Blood Brothers at the P{hoenix Theatre. Commissiomned for Portrait of the Artist Photograph: Graeme Robertson
What got you started?My mum. She'd sung in bands since she was 14, so when I was a kid, I thought all mums were singers.
What was your big breakthrough?Singing the song Chief Cook and Bottle Washer [from the musical The Rink] in a competition at the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts. Until then, I'd thought I wanted to be a dancer – but the audience started whooping, and in that moment I knew I wanted to sing.
What made the Spice Girls so successful?Our enthusiasm for what we wanted to achieve. We weren't the world's greatest singers and dancers, but we always took pride in what we did. Recently I saw the video for Say You'll Be There for the first time in ages, and I thought, wow, we're good!
What one song would work as the soundtrack to your life?Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder. It's a celebration of music, with a great feel-good factor.
Is fame important to you?When I was young it was something I strived for – for people to want my autograph. But when it did happen, it made me uncomfortable. I can't remember what it's like to be anonymous.
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