Mel C Reflects on Depression, Loneliness, and Her Brief Romance with Robbie Williams

Mel C has opened up candidly about her time with Spice Girls, admitting that she struggled with prolonged loneliness as the only member of the group without a long-term partner during the band’s peak years. According to the singer, that emotional isolation played a significant role in the depression she battled for many years afterward.

Speaking on Louis Theroux’s podcast, Mel C explained that her depression was not caused by a single event but was heavily influenced by her environment and circumstances at the time. “I think it was very environmental. There were times when I felt incredibly lonely,” she said.

The British star previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with clinical depression in her 2022 memoir. In the book, she described the period following Spice Girls’ breakup in 2000 as the darkest chapter of her life. During that time, she struggled with disordered eating and alcohol misuse while facing the immense pressure of launching a solo career.

Looking back on Spice Girls’ golden era in the late 1990s, Mel C noted that most of her bandmates were in stable relationships. Victoria Beckham had married David Beckham and welcomed their first child. Mel B was also married to Jimmy Gulzar and had become a mother. Emma Bunton had begun dating Jade Jones, who would later become her husband, while Geri Halliwell was frequently linked to several high-profile celebrities.

Meanwhile, Mel C felt like an outsider. “Being single has been a huge theme throughout my adult life,” she said. “It took me a very long time before I had a long-term relationship.”

The singer also dismissed the stereotype that pop stars can easily find casual romances after every concert. According to her, reality was far different from what many people imagined.

“It wasn’t like that at all. Don’t get me wrong, some people were more successful than I was in that department. People assume bands pick someone from the audience and bring them backstage, but our shows were nothing like that.”

Mel C added that Spice Girls’ audiences were made up largely of young girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community, creating an incredible atmosphere but also one very different from the glamorous image often portrayed by the media.

“Our audiences were mainly young girls and gay fans—the best audiences you could ask for. But that also meant I had absolutely no opportunities. There were times when I genuinely felt lonely.”

As a result, she became increasingly aware that she was often the only member of the group without a stable romantic relationship.

“There were so many occasions when we were all working together and I was the only one without a partner. I wanted to date too. I went through a very long period with absolutely nothing.”

When asked what ultimately led to her depression, Mel C said it was the cumulative effect of years of experiences.

“It was everything I’d been through, and eventually I reached a point where I simply couldn’t continue living the way I had been.”

She emphasized that recovery has been a long journey and remains an ongoing process.

The singer also reflected that if the same situation happened today, she would likely have been encouraged to take time off and focus on her mental health. However, in the early 2000s, she continued touring and promoting her solo music despite not being emotionally ready.

Alongside discussing her mental health, Mel C also revisited two brief romances that once attracted widespread media attention.

One was her month-long relationship with Robbie Williams in 1997, when both were among Britain’s biggest pop stars.

In her 2022 memoir, Mel C wrote that Williams had hurt her by sending mixed romantic signals before suddenly ending the relationship. She admitted that his behavior left her heartbroken and deeply disappointed.

Looking back nearly three decades later, however, she said those events are now simply part of the past.

“It happened such a long time ago, and it only lasted a very short while. It sounds awful, doesn’t it? But it’s all behind us now.”

She added that she had recently seen Robbie again, and both of them now view their shared past with far greater perspective.

“Oh my goodness, we were so young. We’re talking about more than twenty years ago—almost thirty.”

Mel C later dated J Brown, a member of the boy band 5ive, for around four months. Although the relationship ended years ago, she still speaks warmly of him.

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve spoken, but he’s one of the few ex-boyfriends I’ve remained friends with. He’s a really lovely person.”

In recent years, Mel C’s love life has become much more stable. In 2024, she publicly confirmed her relationship with model Chris Dingwall after months of being seen together. Before that, she was in a seven-year relationship with her former manager Joe Marshall before they separated in 2015. She is also the mother of her daughter, Scarlett, from her relationship with Thomas Starr.

In a recent interview with The Times, Mel C admitted she never believed

marriage would still be part of her future. However, her current relationship has changed her perspective.

“I’m very happy with Chris. Perhaps marriage will become part of my life after all.”

Mel C, whose full name is Melanie Chisholm, is one of the five founding members of Spice Girls—the iconic girl group widely regarded as Britain’s biggest pop culture phenomenon of the 1990s. Known as “Sporty Spice,” she stood out for her powerful vocals and energetic stage presence. Hits including “Wannabe,” “Say You’ll Be There,” “2 Become 1,” and “Spice Up Your Life” helped make Spice Girls one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, with more than 100 million records sold worldwide.

After the group went on hiatus, Mel C established a successful solo career. Her debut album, Northern Star, released in 1999, showcased her independence as an artist and produced hit singles such as “Never Be the Same Again” and “I Turn to You.” Over the following years, she continued releasing albums, appearing on television, performing live, and maintaining a steady presence in the music industry.

Alongside her professional achievements, Mel C has repeatedly spoken publicly about her struggles with mental health, eating disorders, and the pressures of fame. She believes sharing her personal experiences helps reduce the stigma surrounding depression and encourages those facing similar challenges to seek professional support rather than suffer in silence.

Now in her 50s, Mel C continues to perform, attend major music events, and take part in Spice Girls-related projects whenever the opportunity arises. After years of navigating the pressures of global fame, she says that success is no longer measured by popularity or achievements, but by finding balance, protecting her mental well-being, and surrounding herself with relationships that bring genuine peace.