Melanie Chisholm, widely known as Mel C or Sporty Spice from the iconic Spice Girls, has introduced her new romantic partner to the public. The 50-year-old singer was seen hand-in-hand with Australian model and actor Chris Dingwall at the renowned Glastonbury Festival. This marks their first public appearance together, although they were previously spotted on a casual dog walk in London earlier in the month.
Chris Dingwall, who stands at an impressive 185cm, is not just a model but also an actor, writer, and director. He is signed with Ford Models and Chadwick, and his career spans over two decades. Dingwall has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious brands in print, commercial, and film projects. According to an online biography, “Chris has been one of the most in-demand male models in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia for more than a decade.”
In addition to his modeling career, Dingwall has made significant strides in the film and television industry. His directorial credits include a short film titled “Oasis,” which was featured in the St Kilda Film Festival, and two episodes of the Australian miniseries “Brock,” which chronicles the life of car racing legend Peter Brock. Dingwall also has several upcoming film projects in post-production.
Mel C’s new relationship comes after a period of being single. In August 2022, she ended a seven-year relationship with music executive Joe Marshall, who had also been her manager. Following this split, she revealed on the “Not My Bagg with Joe & George Baggs” podcast that she had joined the dating app Hinge. She candidly shared her experiences, saying, “What is it about Hinge? I’m single, and I’m having a little look around, it’s slim pickings. There seem to be loads of hot girls but all the hot guys are gay.”
Chisholm’s romantic history includes a relationship with property developer Thomas Starr, with whom she shares a 15-year-old daughter, Scarlett. In early 2020, she was briefly linked to London gallery owner Cassius Colman, though this romance was short-lived.
Despite her new relationship status, Chisholm’s passion for music remains undiminished. During an appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, she expressed her ongoing desire to perform at Glastonbury with the Spice Girls. “I think the absolute ultimate would be to do it with the Spice Girls. There’s nothing I would like more. But you know, while they’re still making their minds up…” she shared, hinting at the possibility of a future Spice Girls reunion on the Pyramid Stage. When asked why the iconic girl group hadn’t performed at the festival before, Chisholm mused: “In the ’90s, they didn’t have pop music at music festivals.”
As she navigates the modern dating scene in her 50s, Chisholm has claimed she was initially banned from dating while her Spice Girls bandmates were allowed to date. Reflecting on those early days, she previously told Australia’s The Project, “Looking back, what struck me was it was one rule for one and another for [the others].” She added, “It makes you question yourself when you are already vulnerable.”
Chisholm’s early life was quite disrupted as her parents separated when she was two. However, she has fond memories of her childhood, growing up with a large extended family. She lived with her mother and stepfather, who was a bass player, and her mother used to sing in pubs in Liverpool. This musical environment had a significant influence on her, and she assumed that everyone grew up in such a setting.
Her stepfather played a crucial role in her upbringing, and although she resented his authority as a teenager, she now has a lot of love and respect for him. Chisholm’s success with the Spice Girls also impacted her younger siblings, who have always known her as a Spice Girl.
Chisholm’s daughter, Scarlett, is growing up with greater wealth than she experienced, but she hopes to instill in her the value of hard work. She tries to be mindful about not spoiling her daughter, despite the temptations that come with financial stability.
Becoming a mother has surpassed all of Chisholm’s expectations, and she is having a ball. It has also made her look at her own parents in a new light, appreciating the challenges they faced while raising her.
In addition to her personal life, Chisholm continues to pursue her music career. She recently announced that she will be releasing a self-titled studio album on October 2nd. To accompany this announcement, she shared a single, “In and Out of Love,” which she described as a “pure pop, upbeat, positive fun tune.” The music video for the song, directed by Graham Cruz, was filmed at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Melanie C’s new album will be available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl, both in standard edition and as a deluxe edition with bonus tracks. The album’s track list includes songs like “Who I Am,” “Blame It On Me,” “Good Enough,” “Escape,” “Overload,” “Fearless,” “Here I Am,” “Nowhere To Run,” “In And Out Of Love,” and “End Of Everything.”
As Melanie C continues to navigate her personal and professional life, her fans eagerly await her new music and the possibility of a future Spice Girls reunion.
Source: Daily Mail Australia, The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, The Project
