ReView: The Sporty One by Melanie C

"I was nervous but confident that it was going to happen. It’s a feeling I almost can’t explain. I just knew.”

The Sporty One, by Melanie C, is an energetic, exciting and complicated tale of the making of one of our most famous pop stars.

In case you don’t know her, Melanie C, otherwise known as Sporty Spice, was one of five members of the iconic girl group the Spice Girls. Starting out in her humble early life, a girl who loved dance and gymnastics, we meet Melanie who dreams of being a pop star. One day, she auditions for a girl group and the rest is history. We follow Melanie through her time with the Spice Girls, a fruitful solo career, and eventually motherhood.

But fame is complicated, and with it comes complex emotions and baggage we have to unpack at some point. From mental health to sexism to body image, Melanie talks about many of the unseen aspects we don’t think about when we think of how great it would be to be famous (while never losing her gratitude). I appreciated how candid Melanie was about her struggles, particularly with depression and body image; I believe her words will inspire many people.

Melanie's voice and distinct personality come through on every page; it is, without a doubt, Sporty’s story. There were a few times when the book would jump forward in time to a specific event, then jump back which was a bit disorienting. However, at the same time these jumps speak to the frenetic, exciting energy of Mel C and her career. 

As a Spice Girls fan, this was such an exciting read for me. I honestly thought I knew everything there was to know about them…and I was wrong. I learned so much about Melanie and what her specific experiences were like.  Everyone’s story is unique and The Sporty One showcases why.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted copy.