Eagle-eyed Spice Girls fans were quick to notice that Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell were missing from Melanie Brown’s 50th birthday party.
While their absence sparked speculation from fans, an insider explains to Us Weekly exclusively that Beckham, 51, “was away” and Halliwell, 52, “was busy.” The same source noted that Brown “was delighted” to have a mini–Spice Girls reunion with Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm, who were in attendance.
A separate insider noted that while Beckham “wasn’t able to attend” the party, she “is in contact will Mel and wished her happy birthday.”
Brown had a leopard-themed birthday party per videos she shared via Instagram on Sunday, June 1.
“Heres to 50 !!! And allll thats to come,” Brown captioned the social media video, offering followers an inside look at her epic bash. The clip was set to “Spice Up Your Life” by the Spice Girls and featured a sweet moment of Brown hugging Bunton, 49, and Chisholm, 51.
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Days before the party, Chisholm took to Instagram and celebrated her former bandmate’s milestone birthday with a sweet tribute.
“50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb,” Chisholm wrote on Thursday, May 29. “Oh the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!”
The caption continued, “I’m so proud of everything we have achieved and adversities you have not only overcome but have used to help others Mel B MBE Hon D Univ you’re a f***ing rock star and I love you more than words can say. Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter.”
Haliwell’s noticeable absence from Brown’s birthday bash also comes years after news of their short-lived fling during the Spice Girls days. During a 2019 appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Brown confirmed longtime rumors that she and Haliwell had slept together in the past.
“She’s going to hate me for this because she’s all posh in her country house and her husband,” Brown stated at the time. “But it’s a fact. It just happened and we just giggled at it and that was it.”
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She added, “It was just that once. And hopefully when Geri gets asked that, which hopefully she will after this, she won’t deny it. Because it was just a fun thing.”
Haliwell did not, in fact, confirm Brown’s account.
“It has been very disappointing to read about all these rumors again, especially on Mother’s Day of all days” she told E! News in a statement at the time. “She would like you to know that what has been reported recently is simply not true and has been very hurtful to her family.”
The statement made it clear that she was “moving forward” from the incident and had no issue with Brown.
“Geri is really grateful for your support and loyalty for so many years,’ the message concluded. “She loves the Spice Girls: Emma, Melanie, Melanie and Victoria.”
