An Exclusive Interview with Mel B

If you’re like me, you don’t have your beach body ready yet. Mel B (short for Melanie Brown and also known as Scary Spice) can help you with that. The former Spice Girl’s new workout video, “Totally Fit” promises to whip you into shape in just 28 days. I spoke with the raspy-voiced singer and “Dancing With the Stars” siren via telephone about her fitness regimen, beauty secrets, favorite places to shop and more.

"Totally Fit" ($14.95) is available at Rhino.com

Hot Mama Daily: “Totally Fit” is a 28-day program.  If you follow this program what results can you expect?  And if you make modifications, will you still see results?

Mel B: You have to be realistic.  If you do the workout at least two to three times a week, you will see results.  But this workout is done by minutes, [so] ideally if you do the workout four to five times a week you will be in the best shape.  And you have to eat healthy.  There’s no point eating junk food and working out.  You have to be good to yourself.

HMD: What inspired you to do a fitness video?

Mel B: I put on 60 pounds with my last pregnancy, and my baby only weighed five pounds.  I didn’t want to go to the gym or hire a trainer.  I took all the exercises that I knew worked, and I put in things I could find around the house like a bottle of water or can of soup.

HMD: How often do you work out?  And do you follow the same routine as in the video?

Mel B: I do the DVD at least three times a week.  I [exercise] one day on, one day off.  To mix things up I take a class like Bally’s Boot camp — it gives intense cardio and weights and you have other people around and an instructor yelling at you.

HMD: Did your “Dancing with the Stars” stint inspire you to do a workout video?

Mel B: After I had my baby [Angel], I had to get in shape before I did “Dancing with the Stars,” so that was a good motivator.  That show is more of an all over lean out; dancing gives you that [lean look].

HMD: What makes “Totally Fit” different from other celeb fitness videos?

Mel B: It’s realistic and it works.  It was shot at my house in Malibu.  I didn’t want people to have to do it to the beat, [so] you can do it at your own pace.  It’s for all ages.  My kids do it.

Mel B. wants to tighten your "jibbly bits"

HMD: You’re such a natural beauty and you’ve only gotten better as you’ve matured.  What are a couple of your beauty secrets?

Mel B: Thanks.  I wash my makeup off every night.  Living in a stress free environment [helps], which is hard now with the way the economy is.  But I try to have as much laughter as possible; it makes me look and feel good.  I cleanse my face [she stops to look at what brand of cleanser she uses].  La Roche-Posay is a good cleanser and I use ReVive cellular repair cream.

HMD:  You were known for your trademark curly hair.  Now you wear it straight.  What products do you use?

Mel B: My hair is curly now because I just got out of the shower.  I use Pantene in the brown bottle for women of color.  That’s really good — it keeps your hair silky and shiny.

HMD: London’s hot boutique Top Shop is coming to New York.  Where do you love to shop?

Mel B: I love Top Shop, Selfridges, and Boots in England; they’re great shops.  I’ve been in L.A. for six years, but I go back to London to see friends and family. The weather is definitely better in L.A.

HMD:  What’s new with your Catty Couture clothing line?

Mel B: I did a little sample, now I want to go in and revamp it more.  My next focus will on my clothing line and my album.  I have eight or nine songs, [and have to] see if it’s worth diving back into the music industry.

HMD: What else are you working on?

Mel B: Right now [I'm getting ready for] my Las Vegas show.   The show is at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino — it starts March 30 and runs until the end of June.  It’s called “Peep Show.”  There’s no nudity — people always ask me that.  But there’s lots of flashing.  It features 20 dancers from all over the world, and I’m dancing and singing.

Image credit: Rhino