REDMOND, Wash. — Melanie Janine Brown is back.
After a five-year hiatus, the former Spice Girl better known as Mel B has returned to the panel of “America’s Got Talent” for its latest and most exciting iteration, “AGT: Fantasy League.”
“I needed to have that bit of a break,” Mel B said. “So this came out at the perfect time.”
While on a rural assignment, Evening’s Jim Dever dropped everything for the chance to talk to Mel via Zoom while seated behind a barn, in an impending storm.
“I’m jealous of you if you’re out on a farm right now,” Mel said.
“I don’t know if you should be,” replied Dever, “It’s also starting to rain.”
“Oh, no, I’m not jealous of you then,” she said.
It’s been raining talent on AGT, as the judges compete against each other for the first time, each drafting and mentoring a stable of past fan favorites.
“We’re all very competitive on this panel,” Mel said.
Some of the show’s most memorable moments begin with a snide remark from judge and creator Simon Cowell, followed by a Mel B response in the form of an aggressively tossed glass of water.
“How much water has gotten thrown on the set so far?” Dever asked.
“I’m trying to minimize it to, like, one throwing of water every other episode,” Mel said. “But, to be honest, I just want to drench him in it because he’s so cheeky. I have to kind of say, ’Shut up, Simon. Behave yourself,’ because he constantly talks, he’s constantly going, ‘Oh, the Spice Girls can’t sing.’ I’m like, ‘Whatever.’”
Yeah, “whatever,” Simon Cowell.
The Spice Girls are the best-selling female group in history. More than 25 years ago, Dever handed them his resume and jokingly tried to join the group at the conclusion of an interview promoting their movie, “Spice World.”
“I auditioned to become the sixth Spice,” Dever said, “It did not go well.”
“No,” Mel replied, “you could never be a Spice Girl. Sorry. There’s only five in the whole wide world. And I’m one of them.”
“Yeah, I know,” Dever said, “and I found out the hard way. Geri (Halliwell) wanted to see how well I could dance.”
“Of course she did!” Mel laughed.
Dever continued, “She grabbed at my backside. And my front side.”
“Oh, my God!” Mel exclaimed. “Why didn’t you turn around and sue her?”
“That would’ve been great,” said Dever. “But I have to say you didn’t seem very impressed with my dancing, either.”
“I’m just a very honest person. Sorry,” Mel said.
No apology necessary.
“Thanks so much, Mel B,” Dever said.
“Thank you,” Mel replied, “Go and get your raincoat on now.”
"America's Got Talent: Fantasy League" airs Mondays at 8:00 p.m. on KING 5.
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