Relatability Factor


Before I begin, I'd like to make clear the fact that I AM a true
Melanie Chisholm fan.  However, something has been bothering me of
late, and I would like to know whether anyone feels the same.
Relatability Factor (RF), is an important issue with any media
personality.  In 1996, we, the public, were presented with five girls;
certainly anybody could find one that they related to or felt a
connection with.  I connected to Melanie Chisholm.  This was mainly
due to the fact that she was different from the other girls: she did
not slap on truckloads of make up, she did not wear tiny little
dresses, she did not wear frighteningly high shoes, etc.  To me, this
was a sign of true individuality and creativity.  For the good part of
1996 and 1997 Melanie continued to wear addidas, reebok and the like,
living up to her IMAGE as Sporty Spice.  This is why I latched on to
this phenominal artist...she was different, she represented what I
believed in. 

1998 brought about a rather startling change.  Melanie C, aka Sporty
Spice, began a transformation which has led to her becoming Posh Sporty
Spice.  I fully understand that as one experiences more things, one
grows.  I know.  I also fully realize that Sporty Spice is just an
IMAGE...it is but one part of Melanie Chisholm, the artist.  I know.  I
also am fully aware that as she matures, so does her audience (that
would be us lot).  I know.  Now that Melanie is developing as an artist,
and preparing for a solo career, it is only natural that she would want
to appeal to an older crowd, and judging by the response to the "When
You're Gone" duet with Bryan Adams, she is doing a fine job, as per
usual. But throughout this transformation, I have found that I am now
unable to relate to her, as a person.  Once she was the girl that lived
next door, and now she's bought a flat in the posh-est part of town.
Once she was the girl that you would see in the local SportCheck, now
you could look in the WINDOW (!) of Gucci and find her shopping there.

Again, I fully realize that such a change is natural, and to be expected.
However, there is that part of me, the sentimental part perhaps, that
wishes Sporty Spice would pop up every now and again.  The grown-up part
of me, though, tells me that Sporty Spice is history, and Melanie
Chisholm is the new reality.  It sounds contradictory, but I have come
to accept that, and am getting used to it.  What I cannot get used to,
however, is the loss of relatability. I can relate to Melanie about as
much as I can relate to Madonna.  Although i am a big fan of madonna's,
I can't say that i'd know what to say to her, given the opportunity;
I used to know what I would say to Melanie.  I no longer do.  
Furthermore (and hold your breath for this one, kids!), I'm not sure if
i would want to meet her anymore. 

Now, think about this for a minute.  We, the fans, all have our images
of what Melanie is really like.  In actual fact, we know nothing of
what she is REALLY like.  All we know is her STAGE PERSONA.  Yes, we
know what her favourite colour is, we know what she likes to eat, and
we know what her shoe size is...but that is as deep as any celebrity
will ever go, in the media that is.  I'm convinced Melanie is a very
smart lady, with strong opinions on issues that will never get
publicity.  And that is fantastic.  This way, she manages to keep a
sense of self.  This being said, I'd like to revise my opening
sentence of this paragraph.  I would enjoy meeting melanie, but i
would not know what to expect nor how i would react.  All I would
know, is to expect something completely different from what I
expected. In writing this, something has dawned on me.  Perhaps I too
have grown and realized that everything we see on television, read in
magazines, and find on the internet is all just one big facade.  But
of course!!!  The illusion is shattered...the old Melanie never really
was (as quoted in a section of this very site...something to do with
her never really being that sporty in the first place).  Sporty Spice
existed.  The (I hate to use this word) manufactured image that some
old record label/publicity/manager type conceived.  I got caught up in
the glitz and glamour that was the original Spice Girls, and now it
has come back and bit me right on the butt.  I get it now!!!

Yes, I no longer relate to her in the way I once did...but she's not the
same as she once was either.  I think I've finally gained perspective on
this whole matter...what's gone is gone, and what was never really was. 
I'm in no way saying that i no longer appreciate her. I just appreciate
her in a different way (although I haven't yet figured out in exactly
what way), and the fact that i don't relate to her anymore isn't as
important.  Her RF is still there, but it's different now.  Perhaps I
relate to her in a new, more grown up way.  She's grown older and wiser.
So have I.