Melanie Brown

Melanie Janine Brown was born on May 29, 1975, in Leeds, England, to a white mother and a black father. Her mixed background would eventually go a long way in helping her to stand out from the pack.

A natural performer, she spent her youth actively engaged in dancing and acting lessons, and was eventually accepted into the Leeds College of Music and The Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Leeds, however, was too small to hold Melanie's ambition and, by the age of 19, she moved to London where she continued her training.

Melanie's first taste of fame came in 1993 when she appeared in three episodes of the British soap opera, Coronation Street. She may only have played a checkout girl, but it hardly mattered: Melanie knew she had a future in show biz.

Melanie officially set her career in motion in 1994, when she answered an ad looking for female singers in The Stage. The ad was placed by managers Bob and Chris Herbert, who immediately fell in love with Melanie's energy and talent. After a series of auditions, the Herberts paired Melanie with fellow singers Victoria Beckham (formerly Adams), Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chisholm, and Emma Bunton.

Unfortunately for Bob and Chris, their faith in their all-girl group, the Spice Girls, wasn't mutual. Sensing they needed more experienced management, the girls left to strike out on their own.