Inside the 30 year ‘frenemy’ relationship of Geri Halliwell & Victorian Beckham

THEY were once practically sisters, enjoying the bright lights of global superstardom and living in each other’s pockets.

But what lies beneath the surface of Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell’s thirty-year friendship is today shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

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The women became perhaps the most successful band members of the Spice Girls, whose Girl Power catapulted them to unimaginable heights.

But then they went their separate ways.

Victoria became a high-end fashion designer who for years seemed determined to shake off the Spice Girl shackles. Geri embarked on a solo career and is now a country woman.

Their friendship seemed to last, but it is not entirely surprising that after thirty years theirs, like that of many others, comes with ups, downs, tensions and in some cases competitiveness.

But you could argue that every woman is still seemingly vying for the top spot.

Just this week, Geri unfollowed Victoria, her husband David, and their son Brooklyn, only to refollow them days later, leading fans to speculate that their friendship had hit rocky ground.

“Geri and Victoria have an almost sisterly relationship. It’s a case of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’, reveals a showbiz insider.

“They have been friends for decades and have probably had even more problems behind closed doors.

“Both ladies have always wanted to be the standout star. After all, they became perhaps the two most successful members outside of the Spice Girls.

“Their competitiveness doesn’t mean they aren’t happy for each other, but their ‘frenemy’ status shows how they use each other to motivate themselves to keep doing bigger and better things.

“With this kind of competitiveness, it will undoubtedly result in an artificial relationship as they continue their struggle to be the Alpha.”

Geri’s sudden departure from the band in 1998 ruffled Victoria’s feathers and sparked the beginnings of seemingly deep-seated tensions.

Most notably, Victoria spoke about the departure within her [2001] book Learning to Fly, in which she wrote: ‘I had known Geri for four years, we had shared a room, we had experienced the most special experiences of our lives together.

‘She was one of my best friends. And now she had walked out without saying a word. What I felt was anger at the selfishness of it all, and then betrayal.”

Geri later threw shade at Victoria during an interview in which she revealed she chose Emma Bunton over her.

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Their latest rumored clash suggests the girls just can’t let go of their tensions.

It came amid reports that Geri was ‘supported by’ Victoria, while her husband Christian Horner is under investigation for ‘inappropriate behaviour’.

The criticism on social media has reignited rumors about what is really going on behind the scenes and whether the couple could now be in enemy territory.

Relations between the women were often rocky.

In 2002, Geri suggested in her book Just for the Record that she wanted a fresh start, away from the Spice Girls.

She wrote: “Everyone seemed to have an opinion on what Ginger Spice should do next – the only one who wasn’t so sure was me. I didn’t know if I would make it on my own or fall flat. my face, but I knew that this time it was Geri, not Ginger, who would take the lead.’

This time it was Geri, not Ginger, who would take the lead.”

Geri

Despite obvious friction in the aftermath of Geri’s departure, the women called a truce and were spotted in southern France just four months later.

It was reported at the time that Victoria, then 25, was the only one to meet Geri after she ran away.

The girl band split for good in 2000, but not before Victoria and David Beckham tied the knot in a glamorous £500,000 wedding, but tongues were wagging again in Geri’s absence.

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It was never made clear whether Geri was invited to the wedding in Dublin.

Victoria later denied not inviting her, and as she graced her infamous gold throne alongside David at their extravagant Castle wedding on July 4, 1999, Geri sang live on stage at Party in the Park in London.

While Victoria focused on her fashion label, Geri released three solo albums and number one singles, including Mic Chico Latino and It’s Raining Men, and became a judge on TV talent shows Popstars: The Rivals and The X Factor.

But Victoria followed suit and was soon back on the music scene, releasing her own debut solo album and two Top 10 singles, including Out of Your Mind.

She starred in her own reality show Being Victoria Beckham, made a cameo in Ugly Betty and was a judge on Project Runway, Germany’s Next Top Model and American Idol.

It should have been the best moment of my life, but I just wanted to be somewhere else.”

Victoria Beckham

The entire Spice Girls gang – including Victoria – came together in 2012 for an epic live show at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics.

Fans were thrilled about the reunion, but five months later in 2013, rumors swirled around Victoria, who reportedly dropped rumors about plans for the girl band to embark on a “last fling” world tour.

By this time, Victoria was a thriving fashion designer with catwalk shows and was rumored to be uninterested in a Spice Girls tour.

She told Paris Vogue: “I realized it was over for good in 2008 when we reformed for our reunion tour. It should have been the best moment of my life, but I just wanted to be somewhere else.”

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An inside source claimed at the time that Geri was pushing their manager Simon Fuller to hit the road again, but he wouldn’t continue without Victoria.

The tour was eventually canceled and news of a reunion disappeared.

But when it came to Geri’s fairytale wedding to F1 boss Christian Horner – which saw Geri change her surname from Halliwell to Horner – on May 15, 2015, the tables were turned.

Victoria was noticeably absent from the event due to work commitments during Singapore Fashion Week – with only Emma Bunton turning up from the Spice Girls clan.

But Victoria’s absence was not a total snub, a source told The Sun: “Victoria sent Geri a special dress from her own collection. Her new line features abstract hearts, so what better occasion to wear one than on your honeymoon?”

The sweet gesture was accompanied by a huge bouquet of flowers and a special note just for Geri.

I know it’s a bit boring for people – the number of times it was on and off again. Sorry about that.”

Geri

On the day of the wedding, Victoria wrote on social media: “My beautiful friend. Sending you love and happiness. I’m so sad that I couldn’t be with you on your special day. I love you.”

But when the Spice Girls announced a massive comeback tour in 2019, millions of fans went wild. But rumor had it that Victoria and Geri were already at odds behind the scenes.

Days after their big announcement in 2018, Posh reportedly demanded full control of the tour and even called in her publicist to handle it.

Sources at the time admitted to De Spiegel: “Geri would like to be a dominant voice, but because Victoria has been so reluctant to reunite, the balance of power is shifting in her favor.

“All five want this to go smoothly, but the tension is rising because the ball is in Victoria’s court.”

Victoria dropped out due to ‘work commitments’ and the tour continued with the remaining four singers Mel C, Mel B, Geri and Emma Bunton.

In an interview with The Sun in 2019, Geri apologized to fans: “I know it’s a bit boring for people – the amount of times it’s been on and off again. Sorry about that.”

Despite the friction, Victoria took to Instagram to support the band, using the hashtag ‘#FriendshipNeverEnds’, a nod to their 1996 hit.

But just as rumors of yet another reunion started floating through fansites in 2023 as the Spice Girls’ 30th anniversary approached, the idea appears to have stalled with suggestions that Victoria and Geri would be bossing each other around.

The glue that holds this rocky friendship together is certainly strong stuff.

Let’s hope it’s not a case of Goodbye [my friend] coming soon for icons Posh and Ginger.

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