Mel B Reveals How The Spice Girls Got Their Names

The new star of "Chicago" on Broadway tells Stephen the real story of who gave the Girls their nicknames.
Subscribe To "The Late Show" Channel HERE: bit.ly/ColbertKZbin
For more content from "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", click HERE: bit.ly/1AKISnR
Watch full episodes of "The Late Show" HERE: bit.ly/1Puei40
Like "The Late Show" on Facebook HERE: on. 1df139Y
Follow "The Late Show" on Twitter HERE: bit.ly/1dMzZzG
Follow "The Late Show" on Google+ HERE: bit.ly/1JlGgzw
Follow "The Late Show" on Instagram HERE: bit.ly/29wfREj
Follow "The Late Show" on Tumblr HERE: bit.ly/29DVvtR
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.
Get the CBS app for iPhone & iPad! Click HERE: bit.ly/12rLxge
Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream live TV, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! bit.ly/1OQA29B
---
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via CBS All Access, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@zora99ny]

Even though her accent is considered one of the "rougher" English accents, I love her accent. And Adele's.

[@powernoid]

or "Northern", which I guess by default is not posh.

[@VCYT]

Its because she's from a city in the north so that affects the tone. Its not rough its urban.

[@poltronafrau]

adele's a london accent, very different

[@ewelinajiao1906]

adele's accent is not cockney? she said that in an interview with Ushi

[@poltronafrau]

Ewelina Jiao cockney = london accent....

[@elzeus13]

She puts most 20 year olds to shame.

[@tigerbread78]

uutuber431 Still would

[@spikkiy]

Sound like you've got enough jelly for a PB&J sandwich.

[@PinecrestNova]

Um, have you seen her recent photos in a bikini?

[@NinjaOnANinja]

I would tell her what I want, what I really really want.

[@riosricardo7400]

NinjaOnANinja I want to toss her salad 😃

[@franceslovato9842]

I've always loved Mel B's personality! She is so real, honest, charismatic & sweet. She never tries to be someone she's not. She is a lovely person inside & out. I just love her! 💝

[@foxsmith770]

Names are at 4:05

[@squidwardsbowl6260]

Thx

[@KodakByabee]

Thanks aang

[@Whateverchick88]

Thank you avatar aang

[@irahkasswehttam1641]

Thank you

[@nothingmuffin6067]

roses are red Violet's aren't blue superman is a hero and so are u

[@jessicaj.6291]

She was the spice girl I always wanted to be when I was a kid 😂 her and sporty spice

[@AvecPoesie]

Sporty Spice was everything I wanted to be! Not sure why? I wasn't an athletic child at all!

[@nebibaby]

Me wanted to be geri💘

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

@@nebibaby I loved Posh but I'm from the North, lol, and I have an accent like Scary so there wasn't much chance of me being "Posh".

[@TheMwendaa]

I wanted to be Scary Spice soooo bad!!! Oh my days!😂😂🎉🎉

[@thomas261989]

Just to be clear, the Simon she is referring to is Simon Fuller, not Cowell.

[@chuckcreecy6904]

Oh, i'm old I thought she meant Paul Simon

[@dayaoof8907]

@Sleeping Warrior I think its the guy from America got talent (the mean one who is roughly honest)

[@pablosmith5190]

Sleeping Warrior - the one who's teeth give you whiplash

[@AM.10]

Thanks for clearing that up

[@ohimjustakid4713]

Thanks for clearing that up

[@joaquinflores7759]

i just love her husky voice and accent! music to my ears

[@yoshwii8938]

I hope she never loses her accent, it's so beautiful as so is she!

[@BentNeatly]

When Daft Punk was starting out as a punk band with a different name, some critique called their first show "a bunch of daft punk." They pivoted.

[@heartofthematter247]

Bent Neatly I remember hearing this! #socool

[@calisongbird]

Bent Neatly *critic

[@bennyton2560]

I was gonna go with "impressionists" but yeah

[@Vanifest24]

Bent Neatly my favourite band!!

[@shockwave.studios]

Are they though? Both Bangalter and Manuel were making electro house music before Daft Punk, so it sounds unlikely

[@nakianiteshade]

They are the only girl group that after 20 years all still look hot. Look up their 2012 Olympics performance or pretty much anything they do on social media. The bitches all aged very well. So happy to still be a fan.

[@poltronafrau]

yeah, but who's the carcass

[@SunyiSideUp]

Destiny's Child is pretty hot. Also, in TLC's case, T-Boz has chronic illness, so she looks great, considering. And Chilli is still very sexy. (And Left Eye isn't around anymore. RIP.)

[@xoBabyGirl64]

What an achievement.

[@osimeon00]

Why they gotta be bitches though? Smh.

[@midnightghost_2]

LAB-Lil' Angry B!tch so we r a part of the vagina? Fucker don't make sense

[@znrgybalance8703]

When watching any Spice Girl video, my eyes are always on her. She's got so much energy and sass! Luv her! She came to an Italian restaurant my daughter was working at earlier this year and no one knew who she was, until my daughter told them.

[@t.cholmes6957]

Did you talk to her?

[@znrgybalance8703]

@@t.cholmes6957 I wasn't there. My daughter just started working there. Mel B was in a heavy convo with I think the owner of the restaurant. I think they were friends or at least she's been there many times before.

[@AlainBruno]

Mel B is beautiful.

[@merdesh2402]

I can't believe she is 41 years old. She looks like 25 :)

[@16annia]

tell me about it

[@ryandcranchdel7046]

plastic surgerryyy

[@xxxTIN0xxx]

+ryhanc ranchdel Yeah she had some but she was always hot.

[@yermaw334]

@Ana Martins She used to have a tongue piercing. Looks like it has come out, shame she looked beautiful with it.

[@like2seeit86]

Hands down Mel B is the hottest Spice Girl!

[@01rai01]

thats not saying much

[@Franklyhesaid]

im so gonna include that im my regular vocabulary

[@VCYT]

I half agree as i also like Victoria.

[@thefutureispeace]

she was always my favorite

[@nameisamine]

Baby spice was always my favourite 👶🏻

[@PtoRicanDBLT]

I could listen to her talk about nonsense and still be hanging on every word like a fool! Love her voice and accent! ❤😎

[@tsxtina2919]

So happy she is on Broadway. Still the biggest Spice Girls fan! ✌👧💪

[@idontknowwhattoputmyuserna8289]

TS Xtina me to

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Nice work if you can get it....

[@PikachuYellowtoo]

Gawd she's GORGEOUS. Wouldn't have recognized her if I saw her on the street.

[@SirAgravaine]

Mel B and Mel C were always my favorites

[@heyimsteph]

same!

[@monabohamad2242]

Same along with emma

[@stanbily9416]

Same

[@fuzzyx2face]

I love Mel B she’s so beautiful and classy! I love all the spice girls, so much childhood nostalgia!

[@TheDWYCK]

She is so the best looking Spice Girl.

[@Samuel115s]

TheDWYCK yeah. Her and Victoria look the best to me.

[@LadyVoldemort]

TheDWYCK She got the hottest body, and I just love her alto voice, and her laugh...I just love her laugh! 😁😁😁

[@DraPaulaFlor]

that's mel c and she's the singer nowadays. Mel b is fine but her divorce cause troubles.

[@BlaqueCute29]

Yep

[@TAEMXCLUSIVE]

She aged the best

[@animepnkkitty6]

I still love that movie to death!!! I watched it back to back so many times my VHS crapped out finally.

[@chrisocmand6188]

What a gorgeous person! So glad to see he hasn’t lost her accent or her tenacity!!

[@PumpkinMozie]

SpiceWorld is one of the greatest movies of all time! I say that in complete seriousness. I love it.

[@MisssKayy]

I loved it. But come on...😂

[@milino2894]

I love the way she doesn't take the Spice World movie all too seriously and jokes about it.

[@africanlegs]

Good Lord she's bad af. Had the biggest crush on her back in the 90s and to know she still this beautiful blows my mind. Husband is a lucky guy.

[@the-chameleon]

Is he now

[@rkeratiloe1]

Even in January 2017 it was known that he liked to beat the shit it of her.

[@NomadAngie]

Eddie Murphy missed out! She's gorgeous and elegant!

[@emilyhancock3456]

love Mel B, she;s so fabulous

[@AWlpsSHOW36]

I love how the band played Wannabe when she came out!

[@AlamdaABalqhin]

3:47 😍😍😍 THE LAUGH BEFORE "WANNABE" STARTS PLAYING OMFG NOSTALGICCC

[@violetgirl1996]

people who say the spice girls were untalented.... their songwriting and inner spunk and charm is the reason for their success!

[@petitebaje]

Aw, I was one of the few then, who liked the movie, because I just enjoyed seeing them together. It was a silly, cheesy movie, but also a fun, entertaining one, made solely for Spice Girls fans, and that's why I always liked it.

[@yabuzagardens366]

I really like how comfortable & relatable Colbert is with his guests

[@heather23renae]

I love her 😍 I was obsessed with the Spice Girls and LOVED Spice World! She talked about the bus! 10 year old me fangirled sooo hard

[@187942]

Me too lol legs flapping and all

[@andreslinares6429]

You can tell her British humor didn't pan out at the end with the American audience 😂

[@graennleaf4769]

My interest in learning the English language was greatly maximised when I heard Mel B speak in the making of Say you'll be there. That was the time I knew I wanted to learn British English.

[@pamelie3366]

she is so beautiful *.*

[@GrahamCStrouse]

Honestly, the only scary spice girl I can think of is Victoria Beckham...

[@kahirm3677]

The hottest one was Emma Bunton (Baby Spice)

[@HoofHearted2DAY]

Awww she's such a lil darling dear Emma... love her fighting with Edina on Ab Fab lol

[@pseudonayme7717]

G Rodriguez *Edwina :P (that was funny as hell though :D)

[@HoofHearted2DAY]

That's right, Edina according to her but Saffy knows better lmao .... "a really bad titt job & streaky tan" lol

[@rafaelmoraes556]

hahahahahahahahaha

[@lolabrini3758]

loving this look on her😍😍😍her hair the dress the makeup💋💋💋perfection

[@stephaniearthur4129]

Luv her accent 😍💘♥️

[@IIG]

She is definitely one of the most beautiful women in existence.

[@billiedillon975]

II have to say Mel B is hands down the stairway to heaven. I'm stuck on agt just to see her. Mel you did fantastic with Darcy Lynne. I'm happy to see you happy and looking out of this world xoxo

[@andrewg3768]

Really? Seriously not even close!

[@winehouselover]

Andrew G shut the hell up

[@andrewg3768]

@@winehouselover calm down!

[@andrewg3768]

@@winehouselover Yourube comments are all about KZbin and the words you have used says to me you aren't calm!

[@AmaanStorm]

For such a small country, the UK has such a diverse range of dialects. A few miles one way, you’ll have a specific accent, and just a few miles the other way, it will have changed. For those who don’t know, Leeds, (where Mel B was originally born and raised) is located in the county of Yorkshire in northern England. The Yorkshire accent can sound quite abrasive and at times we miss our vowels in some words which can make it harder to understand. Its considered by some to be a ‘common’ accent because it doesn’t sound posh like the accents from some of the southern counties. Mel has never lost her accent and good on her. Its part of her brand now!

[@BellyJae]

One of my friends is from Preston. I know it’s not the same (as its Lancashire) but I can hear some similarities and of course, its differences. I love them both! And many others. 💕💕

[@Honest000w]

I recently felt inspired to do her Bantu knots style on my hair! Helped me out a lot 👍🏾

[@sydandtaytum]

colbert is so awkward when there is a beautiful woman on the show...he gets so shy. times like these, i really miss craig ferguson- his exchanges were like a life class on flirting.

[@mooniejohnson]

I think +sydandtaytum meant because Ferguson retired from his show. I miss him, too.

[@jarlhenrik]

I dunno, Ferguson works well with other brits, but frankly, I find his humor a bit too raunchy. Especially with female guests. Everything gets a sexual or innuendo twist.

[@AWlpsSHOW36]

I'm sometimes like that around boys and men. Ahhh, teenagehood.

[@ravenswood118]

Fergusun was borderline sexual harassment. Made a lot of women uncomfortable.

[@AWlpsSHOW36]

@@ravenswood118 No? If he touched them inappropriately then yes it is harassment.

[@phyliciabozzi9414]

I love how Mel says Spo-E with her accent. She doesn't even have the R or T

[@mushfek]

Thanks so much Stephen!

[@EveForbiddenFruit]

I saw "Chicago" the other night while in NYC. Truly astounding performance. She made no real attempt to hide her English accent, but I'm sure she is quite tired after all these performances.

[@allieschwarz8023]

+Austin Faulds Sorry to say that I missed it (and now her limited run is over) but I'm happy to hear that it went well. Mel B is a good dancer but her voice is hit-or-miss; she's got nice vocal tone and decent range but she's always had problems staying in tune (unlike Geri, who can't dance, and whose pitch and tone were okay, but who had no range at all). Still, if what you say is true, Melanie sang well on Broadway. Sometimes, it just takes the right material to bring out the best in a performer.

[@iris089]

Her role is Roxie?

[@IliyaMoroumetz]

Ya know, thinking back on it, I hated the Spice Girls back then. But upon further reflection, I had absolutely no logical or justified reason to so in the first place. I think the reason was that it was popular to do so, but that's a silly reason and now I somewhat regret not giving them a chance back then. But they seem to be doing all right for themselves, so, that's good.

[@IliyaMoroumetz]

Wow, that's kind of sad. (Not sad as in pathetic, but more sad as in unfortunate.) It's like 5th Harmony's not even getting the kinds of opportunities their male counterparts are getting. I would have no problem with having more Girl Bands and letting them have the chance to make it big. Are there any out there besides 5th Harmony?

[@alanfriesen9837]

Let's see… The Andrews Sisters, The Staples Sisters, The Shirelles, The Ronnettes, The Supremes, The Three Degrees, The Go-Gos, The Bangles, Vixen, Salt 'N' Peppa, TLC,… I really haven't followed pop music since the early nineties but up to that point there'd been a few notable all-girl groups.

[@whatever7727]

I honestly adored the spice girls

[@NomadAngie]

The thing with the Spice Girls is not that their concept was original because there have been girl groups for a long time. But they came out at a time where UK was going through a socio-political change known as Cool Britannia. Tony Blair was voted Prime Minister, and people viewed him as young and hip (he used to be a band promoter in his youth), and bands like Oasis, Blur, and The Verve were leaving their mark. It was a post-war time (right out of the Kuwait conflict), and it was like the Swinging Sixties again.

[@Sky-ht6tv]

Same reason I used to hate Kpop but now I’m the biggest Kpop fan.

[@EmadChowdhury]

0:27 he peeked

[@SS-cd6ie]

I lovee spice world. I got rid of all my childhood memories but still have this VHS. I'll keep it forever.

[@LULU47093]

I watched Chicago two weeks back! You did a great job as Roxie, Mel B!

[@vianeyboruel504]

love her more now, she was always my favorite spice girl.

[@adonimjedovi1385]

she is real. unlike other guests that come on that show. great! :)

[@alyssa6240]

Spiceworld is the best movie ever, hands down.

[@raecine94]

The best

[@porschefoster999]

@Gary Penistown how is wanting to be treated decently cancer? Nobody wants to be treated like crap. Why do you boys have a problem with feminists. Do I have to identify as one because I don't want to be treated like crap. You wouldn't want to be treated like crap so you would be a feminist too right. I bet you boys have a problem with it because you worry you won't be able to treat women like crap. That's all it is

[@porschefoster999]

@Gary Pendleton I think what it comes down too is the individual. Some men are bad, some women are bad. And some women and men are good. But I think a lot of criminals make up the majority of men. So they have a bad rep. I haven't met a nice boy but I haven't met every boy on the planet so I'm not saying all boys are bad. You're being way too sensitive and need to calm down. I'm quite shocked you think I have a problem with boys from my comment 🤔 it wasn't attacking anyone. Just defending myself rationally. I just have a problem with the horrible ones. You would too. Like I said I just don't want to be treated like crap. I don't want to be beaten or raped neither would you. I'm not saying all boys are like that. But by your comment you do seem to hate girls. Why is that? I'm not every woman, I'm one person that you don't know. I just want boys to leave me alone. Did a girl beat you or rape you?

[@porschefoster999]

What special treatment do women get? I don't get it

[@kloakovalimonada]

LEGS

[@fanficbarbie]

She's absolutely gorgeous 😍❣❣

[@brunalouise]

That bus

[@CamillaKali]

She looks stunning! Always have, actually :D so talented and pretty!

[@whatsername9590]

The spice world movie was my first PG 13 movie, and I still love it!

[@GoblinsAreAGirlsBestFriend]

How have I ended up perpetually stuck on the Spice Girl end of the internet? I haven't been 8 in a hot minute.

[@petermasefield8403]

Yes; I love the fact that she hasn't lost her accent after all this time.

[@gabbiecorrea]

You guys just got 4,500,000 subs! Congratulations!

[@mdudegamer]

Ah, the cell block tango! I remember listening to that a while ago, but I didn't know what it was from.

[@user-ee9sx9hw2l]

She's so natural. I love it.

[@irb5807]

love the only guy laughing when she said she was nicer hahah

[@lynettemelendrez2388]

Hahaha this is amazing! I played a show " All that JAZZ" at New Mexico highlands university in 2012. My six year old New the whole show my memory via rehearsals 😂😂😂🙀👏🏼

[@catscats3181]

i love her laugh

[@melaniecbr1392]

She is adorable!! And beauty women!! 👏👏👏👏❤

[@Canntone]

She Is perfection!

[@aaronbrown89]

Simply Gorgeous! Stunning!

[@Blinkgirlsareperfect]

How is it possible to be that gorgeous?

[@lukerichardson2715]

love mel b always the most fun

[@itsamebrinyoh7038]

She's still so gorgeous, OMG. She was always my favorite.

[@emeralddewhurst2207]

The popping gum and running into a knife are different parts of the song 😂😂 best get learning her lines

[@Emxo333]

i love her so much!!!!!!!

[@SirForwyn]

I think her accent makes her even more hotter... Gotta say something though, looks like Stephen doesn't respect her that much... Look at the way he talks to her, and the way he treated her as she entered... he didn't even help her up the stairs... Come on Stephen, you're better than that!

[@zora99ny]

Since this show has started I've noticed that sometimes Stephen can come across as a bit dismissive. There have been a couple of times when a guest has talked about when they first met him and he almost never seems to remember meeting people.

[@SirForwyn]

Jesus Christ why'd you have to bring politics into this, go away.

[@SunyiSideUp]

+JJJ What does being a Democrat have to do with Mel B? Your reply is psychotic.

[@judassemegara]

I thought you were talking about her husband. I was gonna agree.

[@kingkinvar]

You weren't paying attention. He offered his hand twice, but she didn't see it the first time and moved away.

[@ChurchOnAHillz]

Love how her Leeds accent is still as strong as it was 20 years ago

[@hudsonrimet7909]

GIRL POWER... Fav girl band, growing up listening to their songs even now. Posh, Scary, Baby, Ginger, Sporty.. Xoxo .Go gurlsss

[@korxiong5580]

Haven't had a chat like this with Mel b on us Tele for along time.

[@bestever2682]

Her and Victoria have always been my favorites

[@rickyli0n568]

Mel's voice is perfecctt 😭😍

[@blindedeathh]

her laugh is so cool hahah

[@nakikiish]

spice world is the best movie of all time!

[@pseudonayme7717]

lool. You need to watch some other movies. Try Deadpool, Lotr and Bladerunner, then delete or ammend your comment :)

[@tinymansixsix7128]

Pseudonayme 77 no

[@SunyiSideUp]

A lot of people's favorite movies are bad B movies and cult classics. Let Nakiki like whatever they want.

[@JenniTulls]

Nakiki Willer I wish I could say that but it's not. It was corny but I still cherish it as my childhood memory.

[@BrightS0l]

So corny but I'm gonna go home and watch it hahah

[@RivasSarah123]

I was five when that movie came out and I love it to death.

[@jeremyangelini2098]

@3:49 I half expected to hear "I'll tell you what I want..." to start playing

[@Danny4SoccerOhio]

I always love seeing my 3rd favourite Spice Gurl :)

[@8t872]

after this interview, colbert had his interns install a pole

[@SuperHorseman22]

I know polish girls will do anything :)

[@kkmmrew]

i was obsessed with the spice world movie when i was 7 years old. i went as baby spice for Halloween that year

[@Alienvip009]

I love her personality

[@doesitmatterwhoiam8838]

Every time she laughs my brain says, tell me what you want what you really really want

[@ladynekoami]

her and ginger were my favorites

[@MonroseUS]

She gets that question very often....and I mean it "often"!!

[@opzm7255]

I love her smile

[@SonjaDawn]

Her accent has softened.

[@PinecrestNova]

Not really, still smooth as sandpaper.

[@26rainydays]

Panini Chowder I think if you compared this to her accent in Spice World you'd notice the difference. It is slight.

[@32446]

Yes it has. I live in Leeds and hers is much softer.

[@AizwellOfficial]

Those chocolate legs are killing me...

[@tiffanypainter5107]

Ha Kou. She DEFINITELY IS and has FLAWLESS skin!!! She's gorgeous as hell!!!!!! 💗😍

[@mikaparkbyun4332]

SAME

[@katerinag9512]

Beautiful

[@SnowdropWood]

It was Smash Hits magazine that came up with the names. I remember reading the article, I kept it up on my bedroom wall for about 3 years during 'spicemania'.

[@GH-bz2vl]

Mel B is aging very well 😊 love her on AGT too

[@edugio]

Mel B is one of the most beautiful and divine women in the world.

[@NellieKAdaba]

Yes

[@PradeepthaObeysekara]

Love her Laugh

[@ayeshas5823]

My favourite spice girl ever. I love u Mel💚💚 wow, she looks so beautiful in this video.💚

[@CAvideoFAN]

So, a reporter gave them their names? 😯 👍

[@marlafarrell7303]

She’s gorgeous 🥰