Melanie Chisholm didn't resemble a bit the Mel C I interviewed two years ago, when the Spice Girls were in the apogee of their success. Wearing no make up and no shoes, she was free from all the pop that surrounded her, Melanie talked to Atrevida Hot in her room, in the Delano hotel, which is always packed with celebrities.

As soon as I entered the room, she jumped out of a chair and came to welcome me. She was wearing a stretch jeans and a red Gucci blouse. She looked 10 kilos bulkier, but 10 times happier than the last time I saw her.

Neither the atrocious nicknames given her by the tabloids , or the small number of copies bought in America of the latest Spice girls album, Forever, seem to let Melanie down.

Totally relaxed Melanie was sitting in the middle of her all-white bedroom. She was less "Sporty" and more "Woman" and told me how she is happy with her solo career, with her new boyfriend and denied that she wants to leave the spice Girls. She also promised to schedule some shows in Brazil for the next year.

Your solo album is very successful in Brazil. Did you expect that? How do you feel?

I always hope that my album gets to be successful and when it does, it is just fantastic. Especially in a country that I wouldn't reach if I wasn't an artist. I really have to manage and get some time to go to Brazil and tour. Maybe next year....

Are you leaving the Spice Girls? What is this confusion all about?

I'm not leaving the group. I'm only investing in my solo career. People cant expect us to do the same things always, as if we were part of a meat grinder...or something like that.

But you declared that you were happy without the group.

No. I said that I was more confortable without all the fuss that surrounds the Spice Girls. When we are all together, the situation become crazy, intense, almost chaotic. I'm a calmer person. I like quietness. Lots of agitation takes away my balance.

Do you think that all this fussiness lead you to depression? The tabloids say that you are depressed.

That is a lie. I believe that everybody has their good and bad days. What makes me sad is to see people that I don't even know making up stories about myself.

So, you get depressed when you read false gossips about yourself?

Not really. Sometimes I get sad, sometimes I get angry. But generally I get frustrated. Because the fans buy a newspaper or a magazine to try to get to know you better and if what is written isn't true, the whole situation is frustrating.

What is your routine when you are home and not working?

Usually I try to sleep all I can to make it up to all the time I couldn't sleep during the tour. Apart from that, I go out with my friends to check out all the new pubs and clubs in London. I also enjoy going shopping. I love buying clothes! I go to the gym and do some yoga or I just stay at home reading some old gossips...

So you read gossips too?

Who doesn't?

You said that you go shopping during your spare time. Are you really into this fashion thing? What are your favorite designers?

I like buying clothes, but I really don't care about designers and stuff.  I think that everyone creats their own style. This is chic.

You are really into sports. What about the rest....are you the kind of girl who takes care of her skin?

Sometimes I'm a good girl and I use a lot of moistureizers before going to bed. Sometimes I don't have the patience and I don't even take off my make-up.

the Spice Girls represent this fashion side, with big productions and etc., You don't really care about it, as I can notice.

I find these big shows nice, full of special effects and fancy outfits, just like the Spice Girls shows. But now I'm more focused in making music without big productions. Without having to worry about the time of the outfit change.

What kind of music you enjoy the most?

I enjoy lots of things. Like pop music, such as Britney and Christina Aguilera. I also enjoy Eminem and rock 'n' roll bands like Blur and the Red hot Chili Peppers. And I can't forget the classics, like the Beatles.

What is your biggest influence?

I think that the biggest influence in my life, since the early days, was Madonna. I used to see her on the telly and wished I was part of "her" world. Today, I'm part of this world.

So, Are you dating at the moment?

Yes, I am

Who is he?

Dan Williams from Tomcat. He's is very nice and I'm really happy.

How would you describe the perfect guy?

Someone who takes you the way you are and does not wish to change your personality. Someone who takes care of you and lets you take care of him. But, above it all, respecting each other's space.

Do you find it hard to meet good guys to date?

It's hard for everybody and it only gets worse when you're famous, because you end up meeting nobody. You're always surrounded by body guards, and you only get to know people from showbusiness. This is good, because they comprehend you. But, on the other hand, you'd like to go out with different people. Anyways...it's always difficult to find nice guys.

Who do you think is quite fancy?

Freddie Prinze Jr.

I heard you love action movies. Have you ever thought of being part of one?

I'd love to make a film with Bruce Willis, like the Sixth Sense. But I never thought seriously about an acting career.

What were the latest movies you watched?

I wacthed the Nutty Professor 2 in the plane...and I almost died of laughing. I also found that new Harrison Ford movie quite good...Revelation .. I guess. It's very frightening!

Do you have any hobbies?

I think cooking. Since my mom taught me how to make chinese food, I think that's my hobby.

Are you superstitious?

I used to be. Now, I'm more fatalistic. I think that if you are good, good things happen to you and vice-versa.

What are your expectations from the future?

I hope that both my solo career and the Spice Girls keep being successful.

What do you prefer? Working by yourself or with the Spice Girls?

I like them both, but my solo career is something new and fresh for me. I want to be more dedicated to my solo stuff, because as an artist it completes me more, because I can express myself better individually.