Mel B/Geri

Mel B/Geri, also known as Meri, is the femslash pairing of Mel B ("Scary Spice") and Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice") of the Spice Girls. It is the most popular pairing within the Spice Girls fandom.
The Mel B/Geri pairing has been subjected to a lot of tinhatting over the years. A significant portion of the Spice Girls fandom, even among those who do not ship Meri, believe that the two were romantically involved with one another in some fashion in the 1990s. Many fans further speculate that an acrimonious breakup was the real reason Geri left the Spice Girls in 1998. These fan theories were partly validated when Mel B confirmed in 2019 that she had had a fling with Geri in the 1990s.
==History==
Rumors of a secret relationship between Mel B, who is openly bisexual, and Geri have long been circulated by both fans and the British media tabloids. Fans were initially drawn by the very close friendship the pair had when the Spice Girls launched in 1996. A rumored falling out between Mel B and Geri around the time that Geri left the Spice Girls in 1998 led to the popular fan theory that the two were romantically involved, and that a breakup instigated by Mel B was the real reason Geri left the group.
One Youtube video promoting this fan theory has over 2.5 million views and the description states:May 27th, 1998: Why did Geri really leave the Spice Girls? by svperbrat on Youtube. May 28, 2016.
Another fan commented on The L Chat:Comment #61 by Guest on The L Chat thread "Spice Girls; Scary and Ginger...have they?".
The British press picked up on these rumors following a 2002 interview with Mel B's ex-husband, in which he insinuated a "not-so-platonic relationship" between Mel B and Geri."GERI GOOD FRIENDS; Mel B's angry ex lifts lid on Spices' close relationship." by Daily Mirror. April 29, 2002. Mel B/Geri fan theories became more widespread and accepted in the fandom as the tabloids helped push the rumors.
Up till 2019, the Spice Girls were generally evasive when asked about Mel B/Geri, neither confirming nor denying the rumors. Meri shippers were elated when Mel B was once again asked to address the rumors in a 2019 interview and said that she did have a fling with Geri during the Spice Girls' heyday in the 1990s.
== Fan Theories ==
Tinhatters often point to Mel B and Geri's close interactions in interviews, concerts, and behind the scenes footage as "evidence" for the ship."Geri & Mel B evidence" playlist by svperbrat on Youtube.My Spice Girls OTP - and why Geri left the Spice Girls! by SushiRoll Speaks on Youtube. July 19, 2016. The Spice Girls themselves, particularly Mel B, were seen to have teased/hint at this ship when asked about the Mel B/Geri rumors in interviews.Quotes from Mel B interviews on scary-ginger.tumblr.com.Gifs of Geri's interview on scary-ginger.tumblr.com.Mel B Confirms She Hooked Up With a Fellow Spice Girl, And I'm Ascending
=== Viva Forever ===
Some fans speculate that the Spice Girls song "Viva Forever" is about Mel B/Geri.
==Example Fanworks==
===Fanvids===
* meri | can we surrender? by merispice
* MelB & Geri { MERI } || Secret Love Song ♡ by Camrentooreal cam
* geri + mel b | paper rings by editsglow
* melanie brown + geri halliwell by merispice
===Compilations===
Fan created videos compiling Mel B/Geri footage.
* Mel B & Geri - Through the years by CrystalEye90210: "A compilation of moments between Mel B and Geri from the Spice girls. The video is mostly chronological and begins with footage of 25 years ago (in 1994) and ends with footage of this year (2019)."
* Mel B & Geri moments by Ashleigh
* Mel B & Geri - In their own words by CrystalEye90210
* Mel B & Geri - Spice World 2019 by CrystalEye90210
== Archives & Fannish Links ==
* Melanie Brown/Geri Halliwell tag on Archive of Our Own
* "Spice Girls; Scary and Ginger...have they?", Mel B/Geri discussion thread on The L Chat
* "Facts" tag on scary-ginger.tumblr.com
==References==
Category:Femslash Pairings
Category:Interracial Pairings
Category:RPF Relationships
Category:Spice Girls