COVER INTERVIEW
Pop icon and Pour Moi ambassador Melanie Brown MBE reveals the secrets behind her fitness and wellness transformation, and tells us why every woman needs to own their confidence
Mel B knows a thing or two about confidence. Back in the 90s, the record-breaking popstar-turned-TV-personalityturned-domestic-violencecampaigner was the epitome of female empowerment alongside her Spice Girls bandmates, inspiring an entire generation of women to support other women and celebrate their individualities without apology. So, when lingerie brand Pour Moi began the search for an ambassador to front their new Own Your Confidence campaign – and help it spread the message that all women deserve to feel confident no matter their shape or size – it seemed a no-brainer to put Mel at the very top of their “most wanted” list.
However, while Mel acknowledges she’s never been healthier – or in better physical shape – she reveals she wanted to spend a bit more time working on her mindset before stepping in front of the camera following years of turmoil. ‘I was meant to do my first Pour Moi shoot last year, but I was like, “You know what? I’m not quite ready. I’m not where I want to be mentally, and emotionally,” she says. ‘So, I did certain things and put other things into place to help me get there, because I didn’t want a quick fix. Now, I’ve got myself to a place where I feel comfortable and confident, and it’s a realistic place for me to stay at.’
Positive place
While Mel admits to making some major changes to her fitness and wellness regime over the past year, she describes the process of rebuilding her self-confidence as a journey that began when she left her now ex-husband, seven years ago. ‘I didn’t realise that my confidence was just part of me until somebody took it away from me,’ says Mel. ‘But I’ve been working really hard to build it back up over the past seven years to the point where I can say, “Yes, I’m now ready to do something like this campaign”.’ When you come out of an abusive relationship*, people just seem to think, “You’re fine now, you don’t have to deal with him anymore”. Well, that’s not the truth. You still have to deal with that voice of such negativity, and such humiliation and shame telling you that you are fat and ugly and disgusting.
‘Rebuilding my confidence is a jour
