If you grew up in the 90s, chances are you had a grá for the Spice Girls.
We can still reel off the lyrics to Wannabe and we know we’re not alone in this.
You can imagine our excitement then when meeting Emma Bunton and we’re happy to report that Baby Spice is every bit as lovely as she seems.
A lady after our own hearts, Emma has a fondness for Jamie Dornan, a tendency to reach for chocolate during the 4 o’clock slump and loves a good dance with the girls.
Tell us about life as a working mum.
Heart FM keeps me very busy. I’m up very early but I laugh for two hours. I work with Jamie Theakston, and he’s a dab hand at it. We laugh and take the mickey out of each other.
My boys, Beau (7) and Tate (3) have a better social life than I do, all weekend I’m ferrying them around. They’re great, lovely boys, very different characters but they love each other.
I love watching them together. Beau is quite protective and always sticks up for Tate.
Who would be your dream interviewee?
Goldie Hawn definitely but there’s lots, it’s always good to have comedians on.
I recently had someone in who was fantastic and that was Jamie Dornan. I haven’t seen the film (Fifty Shades of Grey) yet, he came in literally the day it was coming out and he was amazing. Funny and charismatic and cute.
The whole office was excited about him coming in and he was everything we expected.
This make us happy, we LOVE Jamie Dornan. What type of music do you play on the show?
The thing I love about Heart and why I think I fit so well with is that we play a great variation of stuff. There’s a lot of today’s stuff with Sam Smith, Paloma Faith, Adele, it’s incredible but we also play 80s, 90s and a bit of Motown.
That’s why I love it, playing a song that takes me back to my teenage years and then some new stuff.
Okay, so we grew up with the Spice Girls and still know all the words to every song. What is your favourite tune?
I loved performing Who Do You Think You Are and Say You’ll Be There but my favourite song is 2 Become 1, it has a special place in my heart.
I just love the video, the song and yeah it would be my favourite but every single one of them means something different.
Tell us about a personal highlight from your time in the band.
It’s a bit more recent but performing at The Olympics was incredible, getting ready and the lead-up was incredible and having our children at rehearsals was just great.
We were representing our country and it was a big deal for us. I look back at some of the pictures and I was grinning from ear to ear. I loved every second of it.
Do you miss it or do you feel that time of your life is over now?
I miss it, of course. I think I always will. The girls together, we would go partying and of course, performing together.
I have different priorities now though, my children, they’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Your priorities just change.
You’re engaged to Jade Jones, boyband star turned chef. Any plans for marriage?
No plans at the moment, we feel very settled and we are a family. I’m sure getting married would be a lovely day but we’re happy for now.
We’re a little, a lot, nosey and love to know what’s in other people’s make-up bags, what are your must-haves?!
When it comes to skincare, I do like to change it up but Elemis and Rodial are among my favourites. One tip I have is to always use something that has a SPF.
Make-up, hang on, let me look in my bag…Laura Mercier bronzer is a must, Guerlain blusher and Eyeko mascaras are great.
What about fashion, any designer you favour?
My goodness, am, I love what I wore to the Brits this year. A Theory suit, a Vivienne Westwood shirt and a Victoria Beckham bag for that extra touch.
I was so comfortable but felt strong and cool too so I liked that.
When it comes to style, who do you draw inspiration from?
Kate Hudson is just gorgeous. Also Drew Barrymore just looks really effortless, I love that “not made too much of an effort look” but yet, you look fab at the same time.
You’ve teamed up with Specsavers and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin to find this year’s Spectacle Wearer of the Year, how is that going?
Really well, it’s for a great cause and that’s one of the main reasons I’m involved. I know some of the previous ambassadors, Mel C being one, and the campaign is all about making glasses part of you.
All you have to do is take a selfie wearing your glasses and you’re in a draw for amazing prizes.
The winner of this year’s Spectacle Wearer of the Year will win €12,000 in cash and a stay at the Atlantis Paradise Hotel in the Bahamas. For each entry made to the #LoveGlasses competition, €1 will be donated to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital so get snapping for a great cause.
