Melanie Chisholm on the Inexplicable ‘Bond of Love’ Between Mother and Child

Melanie C./MySpace

Since becoming a mom, former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm says that she’s been able to shed the Sporty Spice persona for once and for all.

“I never exactly felt under pressure but the press was always speculating about when — or if — I would have a baby,” she tells the UK’s Telegraph. “And what with the sporty image, there was this notion that I was the aggressive, masculine one, the tomboy, which isn’t me at all.” As a result, the 35-year-old songstress says, “motherhood has increased my confidence in a funny way.”

That much is apparent when Melanie takes the stage in the West End production of Blood Brothers. The love she feels for daughter Scarlet, 10 months, has provided her with an endless wealth of material to work with, she says. “When Mrs. Johnstone must give up one of her children, I think of ever having to lose Scarlet and my heart literally bleeds,” she says before adding,

“No one can explain to you that bond of love you feel for your child.”

In the interview, Melanie goes on to share that Scarlet was conceived “right away” after she and partner Thomas Starr began trying. “I’m madly organized,” she admits. “We sat down and I said we have to fit the baby thing into our schedules.”

“Tom laughed and said it doesn’t work like that, you know. But, in fact, we were lucky…Everyone knows I have had problems with being underweight in the past, so it really was good luck that it happened so quickly.”