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MEL B'S IN THE SHAPE OF HER LIFE - AND HOT BEDROOM ACTION ISN'T THE ONLY REASON WHY...

By Louise Gannon and photography by Zai Z Feng

It's only a year since American newspapers were describing her life as ‘a total train wreck’.

Things weren’t looking good for Melanie Brown, who was 4st overweight, locked in a paternity battle with Eddie Murphy, and all but forgotten by Spice Girls fans.

 

CLICK TO SEE PICTURES OF MELANIE MODELLING ULTIMO LINGERIE

 

Today she has never been happier, slimmer, sexier or more successful.

“This past year has been one hell of an interesting ride, and that’s putting it mildly," she says.

“I’m the happiest I’ve been. I feel amazing and I love my life.”

In America, 33-year-old Mel – aka Scary Spice – is easily more famous than her bandmate Victoria Beckham, thanks to her incredible performance on Dancing With The Stars (the US version of Strictly Come Dancing).

 “I think Americans love a fighter,” she laughs.

“And I’ve always been a fighter. Even during the worst times of last year, I never gave in.

"There’s an expression over here: ‘If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade.’

"I love that attitude because that’s me.”

The turnaround in her working life has been mirrored in her private life.

Last June Mel wed long-term friend Stefan Belafonte, 32, in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas.

“He was the one person who stuck by me throughout my pregnancy,” she says.

“He saw me at my most vulnerable and I saw him for the supportive, giving bloke he really is.

“Stefan is brilliant with my daughters, Angel, one, and nine-year-old Phoenix (by first husband Jimmy Gulzar).

"For the first time I feel like part of a family.”

The good fortune doesn’t stop there as Mel is looking better and feeling sexier than ever.

“Me and Stefan have a pretty hot sex life,” she reveals.

She does, however, admit it wasn’t just sex that helped her shed 4st of baby weight and get into such enviable shape.

“I’m not a fad dieter,” she says.

“I’ve never believed in it.

“When I’m pregnant I eat, and I have to say I’m fairly relaxed about whatever amount of weight I put on, because I know I’ll lose it.

“Living in Los Angeles helps a lot because it’s sunny and you just want to get out of the house.

"Within four days of giving birth I could feel myself craving exercise, so I went hiking with Angel strapped to my chest.”

In the month following Angel’s birth, secret talks to reunite the Spice Girls began.

Mel hired a trainer to get back to a size 8 and has kept the sessions up.

She explains: “My trainer, Joey, makes me rotate quick bursts of boxing, weights, and circuits for two hours each day.

"He also insists on seriously healthy eating.

"So I have three meals and two snacks a day.

"I eat lots of vegetables, brown rice, fish and chicken.

“A month later I went into training for Dancing With The Stars, and that was serious!

“If you want to know how to get a really sexy backside and good legs, just do non-stop dancing in four-inch heels.

"Your legs are tensed up all the time and it gives you a killer shape.

"My other tip is sit-ups.

"Every single day I do 100 without fail.

“I had no idea how far I’d get in Dancing With The Stars, but by the time it finished, I was straight into the Spice Girls tour and I felt good about the way I looked.”

With life so darn good, trying to get Mel to say anything negative is a waste of time.

Even when it comes to her feelings about Eddie Murphy – the movie star who disowned the daughter he had with Mel, and denounced Mel on prime-time television – she says it’s just water under the bridge.

This positivity applies to her body too.

“I’ve always felt sexy,” she explains. “I’ve never looked in the mirror and moaned about the way I look.

“I have boobs, a bum and a bit of a lazy eye, but I’m comfortable with myself.

"I have a husband who never stops grabbing me, and even I admit I look quite good in my underwear or a bikini.”

Which is just as well, since Mel has been signed as the new face (well, boobs and bum) of the Ultimo lingerie label.

“You have to believe you are sexy to feel it,” she says.

“It’s nothing to do with being stick thin or perfect-looking, it has to do with being happy.

"Any woman can look and feel great in their underwear.

“Trust me. It’s all about how you feel.”

Ultimo, the leading designer lingerie brand in the UK, is available from Ultimo.co.uk and Debenhams stores nationwide.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ HOW THE REST OF THE SPICE GIRLS KEEP IN SUPERSTAR SHAPE

 

FABULOUS 5

1 If there was an Olympic sport for anything, what would you win gold for?
Sex!

2 If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do?
There’s nothing I’d do invisible that I wouldn’t do visible.

3 If you weren’t famous, what would you do?
I’d work with kids.

4 If you could turn back the clock, what would you tell yourself at 13?
You’re going to have a very interesting life, so buckle up and hold on.

5 Which celebrity list are you on – the A, B or C list?
Somewhere between A and B.

 

 

Main photos: Originally for Grazia magazine Other photos: Goffinf, Barcroft Media, Cavendish Press

 

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