Q: How much creative input do you guys have on Spice Girls songs? People have an image of the Spice Girls as being totally controlled by the Man?
A: It's never been like that. We always have done a lot with the writing, lyrics, melodies, ideas for songs. We've always co-written, and it's the same with my solo work.
Q: Did it cause any tension in the group when the critics said you were the only one who could sing or had any talent?
A: Not really. There are so many nice things, written in the paper and so many horrible things, we just made a decision that we weren't going to believe any of it. If you start believing what everyone says, it's going to make you very unhappy.
Q: How can you win over the anti-Spices with your solo music?
A: People just need to hear it. A lot of people in the beginning, when I first released the record, were quite skeptical about me being able to do anything apart from being Sporty. But the album has become very successful. Once they hear the songs, they realize there's a lot more to me.
Q: I hold in my hand the Unofficial Sporty Spice in My Pocket Book. Have you seen this?
A: Yes, it's got the green cover.
Q: I've got a couple of questions from it. It says on one page that you hate not getting enough "kip". What's kip?
A: Sleep.
Q: And then it says you confess to owning two Bruce Willis albums? Is this true?
A: Yes. I've sung with Bruce Willis.
Q: That's all I'm going to ask you about the Unofficial Sporty Spice in my Pocket Book.
A: OK
Q: How does it feel to be a plastic doll?
A: Cool. I think it's wicked. Mine doesn't really look much like me, but she's really pretty.
Q: Do you have one?
A: I did have one. She caught fire. I've got loads of candles around the house, and she was a bit near one of the candles one day, and I came downstairs because the smoke alarm went off. And her leg was up in flames, so she was cremated.
Q: Not to make light of the Sporty doll's gruesome death, but what candle scents do you prefer?
A: Things that are quite spicy, not to be naff.
Q: Do you have a lot of Spice Girls memorabilia and if so, where do you keep it?
A: I have got quite a lot of stuff, and my flat is pretty packed. So I keep a lot of stuff at my mom's house because she's got a big attic.
Q: Are you a neat freak?
A: I am. They used to call me "Monica" because I got really fanatical about it. I feel like if my house isn't tidy, then my mind isn't tidy. Messes freak me out.
Q:So here's a stupid question. What's your favorite spice?
A: Ginger. It's really good for you, and it's nice in a lot of things.
Q:Speaking of ginger, it seems every Spice Girl accomodates some juvenile male fetish: the redhead fetish, the rich girl fetish. What types of guys are most drawn to Sporty Spice?
A: Maybe quite laddish guys, who like to take their bird down to the pub, and go to soccer games, and stuff like that. Guys who like their girls to do guy things.
Q: If you were a fan, which Spice Girl would you most want to shag?
A: Do you think that I'm a lesbian?
Q: NO
A: I don't think I can answer that. I wouldn't want to offend any of the others, and I wouldn't want to freak anyone out if I did single one out.
Q: What are you doing for the rest of the day?
A: Unfortunately, because there is press outside my house, I'm locked in. I've just got myself settled to have a quiet night in.
