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.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Doing Blood Brothers. I've never had a serious acting role before, so I'm daunted. But I'm in good hands – and coming from Liverpool, I feel very comfortable with Willy Russell's script.

Is there too much manufactured music today?

I am worried by shows like Pop Idol and X Factor, which thrust people into the limelight overnight. They can be a great opportunity to have a career – but for all the success stories, there's a lot of people who've fallen by the wayside.

What work of art would you most like to own?

Another landscape by [painter] Pip Todd Warmoth. I already own one of Brooklyn bridge. The way the light hits the New York skyline is beautiful.

What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My mum told me never to do anything I felt uncomfortable doing. She was right; when something hasn't worked – like the songs on my second album, Reason, which could have been stronger – it's been when I trusted somebody else's opinion over my own.

What's the worst thing anyone ever said about you?

When we did the Spice Girls comeback tour in 2008, the tabloids said we were going to use Auto-Tune equipment [to correct voice pitch]. It was irritating. Every show we've ever done, we've sung live. Believe me, you can tell.

In Short

Born: Liverpool, 1974.

Career: Best known as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls. Currently playing Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix theatre, London (0870 060 6629).

High point: "The Spice Girls. And this new phase of my career in theatre."

Low point: "When my first solo LP was successful. I had depression, and couldn't appreciate it."