The Spice Girls were an English pop sensation in 1994. In 2012, the group reunited to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics with their famous hits "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life." But the group also had its ups and downs.
Spice Girl Member Mel C (aka Melanie Chrisholm) or more commonly known as Sporty Spice, recently revealed that she had developed an eating disorder when she joined the Spice Girls, as reported by ET Online.
She never had the eating disorder prior to joining the group. Mel C said that being photographed constantly, she began to feel self-conscious and started watching her body, as reported by Self.
In this industry, Mel C is not the only one to have developed an eating disorder after becoming a celebrity. Former One Direction star Zayn Malik said he developed anorexia upon joining the boy band. Even singer Demi Lovato had gone through the same ordeal. According to reports, it was their way of gaining control over their stressful celebrity life.
An expert from Pepperdine University explains why everyone needs to pay attention to Mel C's eating disorder. Jennifer Harriger, an associate psychology professor, said that a lot of young celebrities have developed eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These disorders have reportedly affected at least 30 million people in the United States alone. However, according to Harriger, celebrities are experiencing it on a different level. Their whole world is being photographed and put up on a global stage.
Another psychology professor, Michael Levine from Kenyon College, said that Mel C and these celebrities are in a way a symbol of a huge culture. They are ordinary people that are struggling with the same societal pressures when it comes to beauty, self-perception, self-scrutiny and acceptance.
Eating disorders can affect anyone. But Harriger and Levine explained that there is no need to be ashamed of your body.
Check out some more news about Mel C below:
