How Geri Horner’s ‘embarrassing’ saga with Christian reignited Spice Girls rift… as ‘diva’ behaviour threatens reunion
FOR years, Victoria Beckham’s been branded the biggest spoilsport when it comes to a potential Spice Girls reunion – thanks to her refusal to ever sing on stage again.
But – following reports that it’s Geri Horner, not Victoria, who’s “dragging her heels” on plans to mark the girls’ 30th anniversary next year – a different picture is emerging. One which reveals a bigger “diva” hiding in plain sight.
Yes, all evidence suggests that Geri’s doing what she’s always done behind the scenes – vying to be top dog. And if she doesn’t get her way, she’ll simply do what she did before: quit.
Speaking exclusively to the Sun, an insider tells us that whispers of Geri’s obstinance behind closed doors are nothing new.
We’re told: “Although it’s always Victoria who gets the reputation for being a diva, it’s actually Geri.
“There’s always been that slight distance between her and the rest of them as she did leave them high and dry at the biggest point of their career during that world tour in 1998 [when she shocked the world and left the band at the height of their fame and fortune].
“Obviously that was years and years ago and they’ve all moved on but the four others do have a slightly different bond. But Geri is quite selfish and will always put herself first to get what she wants and she likes to be the one in control making all the decisions.”
Earlier this week, The Sun revealed that Geri, Victoria and their fellow bandmates Emma Bunton, Mel B and Mel C have been involved in discussions ahead of the 30th anniversary of the release of their debut single Wannage next year.
According to sources: “A variety of projects are being talked about to mark the occasion, including a documentary and a possible tour or performance by the group.”
There’s also apparently hope of a biopic being made for Netflix by Orchid Pictures, which is headed by The Crown producer Suzanne Mackie.
But time is closing in on making a final decision – and Geri’s reportedly gone quiet, with insiders reporting she’s been “dragging her heels” for almost a year now.
Our source says Geri’s reluctance stems from a number of factors: one, she’s always been in the driving seat when it comes to the Spice Girls – ever since they first got put together in 1994.
Long-time fans might remember that Geri often positioned herself as the creative force behind the band, and was known to butt heads with their management.
She even infamously led the band’s coup against their then-manager Simon Fuller in 1997, firing him because he was too controlling.
They initially managed themselves in the aftermath – with Geri largely taking the reins – before subsequently taking on a different team to steer them forwards.
As a result, Geri has long been considered to be the de facto leader – a crown she’s worn proudly. The fact that she’s not the instigator of these latest plans is therefore apparently causing discomfort for Ginger Spice.
Husband’s scandal
The other factor that seems to be waylaying her decision-making right now is the ongoing controversies surrounding her husband, Christian Horner.
Racing legend Christian served as head of Red Bull for 20 years, but was let go as team principal in July following a slump in the team’s performance and amid reports of internal power struggles.
But the elephant in the room at his leaving-do was the fact that – just 12 months earlier – he’d been embroiled in a text scandal.
A female employee accused him of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour”, before an independent investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.
In the aftermath, Christian denied all allegations – and Geri loyally stood by him. But the controversy inevitably played a part in Christian’s Red Bull exit, and – according to sources – it did a number on Geri, who felt understandably humiliated.
Granted, Christian’s rumoured £80million payout will have softened the blow, but being married to Christian has always carried a certain sense of pride and prestige for Geri.
Geri’s still embarrassed by all the Christian allegations, and feels she’s lost some of the power she had
Insider
So, seeing his name dragged through the mud will have undoubtedly done a number on her.
Our insider reveals: “Geri’s still embarrassed by all the Christian allegations, and feels she’s lost some of the power she had.
“She now wants to be the one who plans all the 30th anniversary celebrations.”
Cheeky spice
On the face of it, Geri’s undoubtedly transformed before our eyes over the past 30 years.
Back in 1994, she assumed the highest rank among her new bandmates thanks to her ballsy attitude and outspoken antics – and that was something she dialled up when they hit it big.
Taking the title Ginger Spice with pride thanks to her box-dyed, flaming red hair, Geri earned a name for herself for being cheeky, headstrong, and loudly screaming “girl power!” to anyone who would listen.
The origins of that famous Spice Girls pop feminist slogan are debatable, but Geri’s certainly repeated it enough over the past three decades to claim a majority share in its inception.
Back then, part of her calling card was being messy, cheeky and pushing boundaries, like the time she kissed Prince Charles on the cheek – and, rumour has it, pinched his bum at the premiere of The Spice Girls’ movie Spiceworld in 1997.
She later clarified: “I didn’t pinch Prince Charles’ bum, as reported. I patted it.”
Meanwhile, her legendary Union Jack dress – which she boasted she’d made herself using a tea towel – became a lasting emblem of the band as a whole. As a result, Geri promulgated herself as the group’s mascot.
When she left the Spice Girls in May 1998 – saying at the time it was due to “differences between us” – she inevitably sirened the beginning of the end for the band.
The girls continued as a foursome for another album, but while Geri’s solo career soared, they couldn’t quite match their previous success – which, one can only assume, will have fed her feelings of importance all the more.
Over the years, feelings of bad blood softened – even as we learnt more and more about the in-fighting that had plagued the band, as it emerged that Geri and Mel B had often come to blows.
Horner Scandal Timeline
5 February, 2024 – The bombshell allegations from a female colleague about “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” drop
Red Bull chief exec Oliver Mitzlaff takes seriously and Horner strongly denies accusations.
9 February, 2024 Horner meets lawyer
A lawyer in charge of the investigation begins digging into the case on behalf of Red Bull GmbH in a nine-hour meeting at a secret location.
15 February, 2024 – Horner’s first public appearance since allegations
Horner says the team have been “tremendously supportive”. Verstappen says his relationship with Horner remains “very good”.
28 February, 2024 – Horner cleared of all charges
A statement from Red Bull GmbH read: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed The complainant has a right of appeal.”
29 February, 2024 – WhatsApps leaked
Just 24 hours after he was cleared, WhatsApp texts and pictures were leaked from an anonymous source – to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, the sport’s nine other team principals and members of the media.
2 March, 2024 – Horner and Halliwell hand in hand
The former Spice Girls singer puts on a united front with her husband as Verstappen soared to victory in the opener in Bahrain.
Horner declared he is “absolutely confident” he will stay on as Red Bull boss for the remainder of the season, while Red Bull’s majority shareholder, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, also joined the duo on the team’s terrace in a public show of support for Horner.
3 March, 2024 – Jos Verstappen takes aim
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, claimed the team is “in danger of being torn apart” if Christian Horner remains in his role.
Verstappen Snr, also said the team would “explode” if Horner remained in his position, and denied being the source of the leak.
8 August, 2024 – Horner cleared for second time as appeal dismissed
During the F1 summer break, the appeal from a female colleague alleging “inappropriate behaviour” from Horner is dismissed, clearing him for a second time.
The complainant was suspended on full pay before launching an appeal but, on 8 August, her appeal was thrown out following another investigation by a different independent KC – with Red Bull adding that their “internal process has concluded.”
9 July, 2025 – Horner sacked.
In 2007, they reformed as a fivesome for the first time for their Return of the Spice Girls world tour, and Geri proudly flew the flag again – literally – in a Union Jack inspired outfit.
She may have mellowed slightly, but she still upheld that cheeky Ginger Spice persona that had initially made her famous.
A triumphant performance at the Olympics Closing Ceremony in 2012 reunited them again – followed by a photocall at the London premiere for the Spice Girls’ inspired West End musical, Viva Forever!
At the latter, Geri stood between her bandmates in a massive blue ballgown, again reminding us who was queen bee.
Who’s Posh?
But – over time – as Victoria’s fashion career skyrocketed, it became more and more difficult to maintain the Spice Girls as a five-piece.
Crucially, Victoria’s ambivalence to the band wasn’t sparked by any need for control; it was simply her coming to the inevitable conclusion that her talents lay elsewhere, and she gave them her blessing to continue regardless.
In the meantime, Geri’s metamorphosis continued. Over time – and especially after meeting Christian in 2013 – she dropped the cheeky, outspoken, ballsy act, and started becoming….well, just a little Posh.
After she and Christian married in 2015, they settled in a country mansion in Oxfordshire, welcomed their son Monty, now eight (Geri’s also mum to Bluebell, 19, from a previous relationship), and duly became lord and lady of the manor.
In the process, Geri’s taken to wearing an all-white wardrobe, speaking in clipped vowels, and blushing at the memory of some of her more brassy stunts of the past.
When she and Mel B, Mel C and Emma reunited as a foursome for the Spice Girls’ second reunion tour in 2019, she directly addressed her twentysomething behaviour, saying she’d been a “brat” for leaving the band in 1998.
But – according to our source – while Geri may have softened on the outside, and now prefers cooking with her Aga and tending to her farm animals than causing a scene at showbiz events, she’s still just as headstrong as ever.
She may not be about to pinch a monarch’s bum anytime soon, but she refuses to be sidelined.
The others feel if Victoria is onboard, then they need to get it all sorted, and fear that Geri dragging her heels could cause Victoria to change her mind
Insider
So, now that she’s feeling on shaky ground as the group’s 30th anniversary approaches, we’re told she’s keeping her distance until they reassure her, in no uncertain terms, that she’s still de facto leader.
To that end, our insider says Geri kept a wide berth from the others when all five girls attended the premiere for Victoria’s new Netflix docuseries Victoria Beckham earlier this month.
Our source tells us: “Even at Victoria’s premiere, she kind of stayed away with Christian and his daughter, while Emma and Mel C mingled with everyone. Geri didn’t pose on the carpet with them.
“When The Spice Girls first got together, it was Geri and Mel B making most of the decisions because they were the loudest, but they’ve all found their voices and the others feel if Victoria is onboard, then they need to get it all sorted, and fear that Geri dragging her heels could cause Victoria to change her mind.
“But Geri likes to feel needed so will want them to be flattering her and giving her more control so that she agrees.”
As rumours of in-fighting spread earlier this week, Geri took to Instagram, upholding her reinvention as the true Posh Spice by announcing she’d be appearing at The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Christmas Concert in December.
She told fans she was “looking forward” to it – while making no mention of the big music milestone anniversary on the horizon.
It seems the issue comes down to power: who wants it absolutely, and who’s willing to share.
Geri may have long trailblazed the world’s need for girl power, but she might just have been talking about one specific girl only: herself.
And if she doesn’t get that absolute power, she’s fully prepared to Stop right there, thank you very much.
Representatives for Geri Horner were approached for comment.