Mel B has spoken candidly about her experiences of racism as a child in her hometown of Leeds.
The 45-year-old singer, who has Caribbean heritage from her father’s side of the family, revealed how she was chased by bullies and faced a slew of racial slurs.
Discussing growing up in West Yorkshire in the 80s and 90s, the star explained it wasn’t until she went to school that she saw a difference in how she was treated.
“All of a sudden I was called all these names I didn't understand like 'P**i', 'Redskin' and obviously the N-word,” she is quoted as telling the Daily Star.
“I used to get chased home by kids shouting these names at me, so I learnt to run fast. When I was older I would always win all the races on sports day and that was because I’d learnt to run fast at such a young age.”
Mel B also revealed she was asked to straighten her hair for the Wannabe music video, which put the Spice Girls on their path to international fame.
“We had a big styling team and one of the first things they said to me was: 'Ok, so we need to straighten your hair,’” she explained.
"I refused point-blank because my hair was my identity and yes it was different to all the other girls but that was what the Spice Girls were about – celebrating our differences.”
The mum-of-three, who had the support of bandmates Geri Horner, Victoria Beckham, Mel C, and Emma Bunton, has since received thankful messages from young Black girls and their parents.
“I'd get really emotional letters from girls, and their mums, saying how incredible it was that they had someone to 'be' when they did dances in the playground at school and they were actually daring to wear their hair out and proud rather than scraped back or straightened,” Mel B added.
“That was a big deal to me."
The star’s comments come as Black Lives Matter protests continue in cities worldwide.
Numerous celebrities have spoken about their personal experiences of racism, including John Boyega, who gave a rousing speech at a London protest last week.
