Mel B has admitted that the departure of Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls "shortened" all of their careers.
The girl group included Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton and Mel C as well as Mel B and Geri, and they were all left stunned when Geri decided to quit the band during the height of their fame.
Spice GirlsHer shock decision - according to the new X Factor judge - is the reason their future was changed forever, after they had to make changes to a long-term strategy they'd already formed.
In a recent Larry King Now episode, Mel explained: "When Geri left the group, it was bad. She left on my birthday, and didn't tell anybody... Just didn't show up. We had the rest of the ['Spiceworld'] tour. The American part of the tour...
"We had a five-year plan that got shortened after three years."
The singer and Geri felt bitter towards one another "for a long time" but though the air has been cleared and the two speak once more, she won't let her live down her decision.
"I still remind her of it. Like, I saw her a couple weeks ago and I said, 'Do you remember when you left on my birthday?'"
Mel believes it was the "pressure" of life and the rise to stardom that pushed Geri out of the band.
"She just felt the pressure too much, so just decided to take a break."
She also confessed that the group "fought like cats and dogs", regularly clashing.
Tagged in Geri Halliwell Victoria Beckham Mel B