Like It Is (October 2001)

Geri says: Hello everybody it's me online with Sheila a family planning specialist.

Simon: Do blondes have more fun,Geri?

Geri replies: I've been every hair colour - I wouldn't say that people have more fun because of the colour of your hair but if you walk into a room automatically eyes go towards the light but from experience they go on to the brunette! It's all in the eyes.

David: Who has been the most inspirational person in your life?

Geri replies: I don't think there's been one key person but I see everybody I meet as my teacher - whether it's somebody you meet on a bus or someone that's a prominent figure in the press or an older member of your family. You can learn from a baby - the honesty from a child so I find people inspiring for different reasons.

Monica: Hi, I'm having a big problem!!!! My boyfriend Sean wants to have sex and i don't i think i'm not ready!!What should i do??

Geri replies: She's answered her own question - if she's not ready she's not ready. If you people please you'll regret it. She can only decide for herself if he's a boyfriend who loves her he will honour that

Anna_Moss: I'm a Huge Fan of you and really look up to you! What's your favourite colour and does it reflect your personality?

Geri replies: I like pink a lot - I like black, I quite like lilac - that's kind of peaceful

vickie_ellis: since we first saw you in the spice girls all the way up to now , i think you have become a great inspiration to many young teenagers and adults even . By inspirating people all over the world more talented people want to go into the music business and be successful (as yourself) whats 3 pieces of advice what you give to someone who wants to achieve as much as you have?

Geri replies: Congratulations for winning the competition. I find it very flattering if people get inspired by what I do - there is not one set right or wrong way of doing things. You can take people's advice but just take bits of it. Some things that work for one doesn't work for another. Go with what feels right for you. Go where it feels warm and go with least resistance. Instinctively follow your heart - your instinct is your true navigator that's what I believe. Never be afraid of making mistakes they're just little lessons. It's not the most intelligent person that succeeds it's the one that persists - the one that keeps on chipping away, it's that hare and tortoise scenario. Well done Vicky Ellis. The only person you have to please is yourself don't do it for anyone else that's secondary. It's about progression not perfection. You're your own standard don't compare yourself to anyone else.

Angharad: when u play monopoly, what board piece do u like to be?

Geri replies: I always used to play Monopoly - I always used to buy Park Lane and I'd always end up on Old Kent road and pay a silly amount of rent. I don't mind being the car or the boat.

Stephanie: Geri , You have a totaly new gorgeous look and id like to know if u prefer Your new look or your old look?

Geri replies: I feel happier in where I am today you know if not I'd change it. I prefer the way I look today

Michael: What's 'heaven and hell' about being Geri Halliwell?

Geri replies: I think it's appropriate to say it's heaven and hell because some of the extremeties that I live through go from one extreme hellish moment to complete heaven. One minute I feel completely grateful and love what I'm doing and then it can swing hourly and instead of enjoying it goes to enduring through tiredness or just things getting on top of me

Andrea: How can you check your breasts (by yourself) for cancer? And how often should you be checking? Is there a specific age when you should be doing this? Love Andrea -x-

->Interviewer replies: Sheila: The best thing you can do is go to a wellwoman clinic. You don't need to start checking your breasts until late teens early twenties. Geri adds: you should get into practice in your teens

Sammie-Jo: My mate thinks she might be pregnant, she is 14. And I would like to know what she should do and how I could help her.

->Interviewer replies: 14 in our country is very young but in Africa it is different. If she is pregnant she needs to go to a doctor. Sheila adds it might be useful to see a counsellor or talk to a trusted friend to help her think through this unplanned pregancy. Geri adds: either way she should be taking precautions.

franki_ali: were u ever a victim of peer pressure? if so, how did u overcome it?

Geri replies: Whether it's where you come from or wearing the right kind of trainers, liking certain music and whether that involves if you're sexually experienced that's all part of being a teenager. I went to an all girls school and felt pressure to fit in it's very difficult. There's a huge amount of pressure, fitting in, "looking right" being cool and all those things. For a bit of hope from my own experience it's usually the ones who aren't fitting in and succumbing to peer pressure are the ones that don't peak and will go on to do more.

Rainbow_Zanadar: If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for?

Geri replies: I really believe you have to be careful what you wish for. The power of the word is so strong for example the night before my flat got robbed I said I wish I could live in a hotel and when I got home it was trashed and that night I had to stay in a hotel so my wish came true so be careful. I wish for health and happiness, a life full of love, full of contentment and acceptance and on a more global wish for that feeling for the whole world to have peace and serenity. We loved each other back to life. My third wish would be.... i'm just going to think it it's far too explicit!

Mark: What is it like being told that you are a role model to young people? Is it a burden having that responsibility?

Geri replies: I don't know what a role model is. We can all teach each other things, if people learn from what I do that's very exciting and I feel proud and priviledged to be in a position to inspire but equally I'm human and there's lots of places and people you can find inspiring - I am one of millions. It takes wisdom to learn from other's mistakes - I've made some and I'm sure I'll make more.

Hanna: What to do with my shyness?I´m very shy. I hate it! I´m almost unsocial... I don´t know what to do about it... Do you have any advice?

Geri replies: I adore shy people. I used to mistake shyness for arrogance. It gets mistaken for being aloof - the people that are more reserved for whatever reason, it's more like unwrapping a gift, it's not obvious but you unwrap it and that personality comes through, it feels more precious. Sometimes when something comes too easy it feels like I don't appreciate it as much.

June_S: Did you prefer being in the Spice Girls or doing your own solo work?

Geri says: Congratulations June S for winning the wicked colours.com competition

Geri replies: I really did enjoy being in the Spice Girls - it was such a mind blowing experience. It was a true ride, an emotional roller coaster and I am so grateful for everyone who bought a spice girl record, I'm grateful to the girls, I'm really proud of where I've come from, I've utmost gratitude. I don't believe I'd be where I am today, it's made me who I am today. You move on and this feels so right - where I am today. You can't compare it because it's different - I can't say one is better than the other. I'm enjoying being a solo artist, I'm finding confidence as a singer, I love doing what I do. Change is always scary particularly when you're used to being in a band then going solo but life is about change you have to go with the current and where it's meant to take you.

Ken_Caldwell: Thanks for putting up the http://www.likeitis.org.uk website. It is excellent!!

Geri says: Yes it's great isn't it. Really glad you like it. Make sure you keep coming back

JennyBrandon-Cox18: Hello Geri!! I'm going to UK 2morrow! From Sweden! My Q: When did u have your first real boyfriend?

Geri replies: It depends what you define as real and what you define as a boyfriend. I've had a few friends that were boys and they were real. My first boyfriend when I was 8 - I thought he was real but the first serious one was when I was about 21

Soxy_Sox: I think that Harry is gorgeous!!!!! Could you give him a massive hug and doggie treat from me plz??????

Geri replies: ok ruuufff!

joel: hi i'm just wondering if this is actuall geri??

Geri replies: Me too! Interviewer adds: take a look at the web cam

Geri's: Who is your inspriration when u write your songs??

Geri replies: I can get inspired by anything that's around me musically. Recently when I was in the middle East I thought it would be nice to put that kind of flavour into some new songs and then sometime it's just the way I'm feeling, I pour it into a song.

Patrick: Hi I'm Patrick and i was part of the focus group that helped to develop this web site. I'm really proud of it because it's brilliant. My question for you, Geri, is what part of your work for the un do you most enjoy, and why? lots of love Patrick age 13

Geri replies: Well done and thanks for what you've done. I really prefer being out in the field with the people seeing the people for myself on a grass roots level that's where I feel most comfortable.

Antonia: My name is Antonia and i am all the way from Croatia, i want to ask you this: i ´m 17 years old and i still haven't get my "period" - and i am woried about that. Can you help me? Is this"out of this world" or does it happens to others as well?

Geri replies: No that's ok. Everybody's different. I was 17 when I got mine - when it comes you'll be grateful it didn't come earlier. Sheila adds: eventually your period will turn up as people develop at different rates.

Melissa: Do you think it's good for young girls to diet?

Geri replies: Diet means regime. When you're young your body is growing and developing. There's peer pressure to look a certain way. From my own experience I ended up in a mess when it came to dieting - I think the healthiest thing to do is not to diet, just try and eat healthily, it's balance and that's the hardest thing to achieve especially in this day and age.

Arie: Geri I have an 11 yr old sister who seems to have turned into a wild child and dressing a bit too much for her age she is rebelling but I find it a bit early for her to be at that stage how was it for you at that age?

Geri replies: Well it's very easy to criticise. I can't see what your 11 year old sister is wearing. I don't think there's anything wrong with creative expression if she's not hurting anybody. 11 is slightly young to be provocative but it's not what you wear it's how you wear it and how you choose to behave. I find what works is get on her side, be her friend and be a pair of ears, that's what she needs more than anything. Sometimes we do thinks to seek approval or attention - maybe she just wants some attention from you

jonathan: Geri you new single Calling is coming....will be that last single from your Album

Geri replies: It is my new single and it's coming out on the 26 November, I'm very excited by this song, I've got such an emotional attachment to this record I feel it's the best thing I've ever written. Even at a demo level I got goose bumps, it's such a personal record, people will identify it because it's so truthful and heartfelt. It's on MTV and you can dial up for it on the box. Let's do a single at a time.

sam: hi geri, when was the last time you fell over or did something really embarassing?

Geri replies: Before I go on stage I get down on my knees and pray to god that I do not fall over. My show is like an assault course, when you see me perform Live and Let Die I do fall on my head. I do all the stunts in the show and by the end I'm so exhausted there's a good chance I'll land on my head. You don't trip over mount Everest it's the bump in the carpet that's going to get you! The other day I was walking down these stairs and I was on the phone, going on a date and I was so nervous I fell down the stairs - all I could was laugh, the waiter saw me and he smiled graciously.

Steffi: Will you write another book? "If only" is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read.

Geri replies: I'm so pleased that people got something out of it, it was such a hard book to write, it was so painful to get that honest but the point of it was so that people got identification from it. Yet I don't know if I could write another one, a sequel, I would have to be in the right place to do it and I'm not at the moment.

Anne: geri i feel pressured all my friends have had sex they think i have 2, but i havnt got the guts to own up and say i havnt i feel ready but not found that right person

Geri replies: If your friend is talking about having sex it makes you question yourself if other people are doing it. I can understand why if you don't feel part of the gang but take some respect in yourself, feel proud that you're choosy, vaginity is precious and a gift and is something to be proud of. It's not some villanous desease that you've got to get rid of as soon as possible. When you first have sex it can be a loving delicate moment so you want to experience that first time in a safe environment. Feel proud to be a virgin - I am!

jue: Whens your yoga video out?

Geri replies: My video is out on Monday. People have said to me I'm not in shape or bendy I can't do yoga. I wanted to make a video for that type of person, it's easy and will teach anyone how to do it. It's an easy instruction manual of how to get into yoga and takes away the myths. You don't have to be any size. It's available everywhere. Yoga for me - that philosophy of little and often, once you get into it you don't have to practice as much. I got very into and did it a hell of a lot. Yoga's meant to be a loving tool box you can do any time. It'll show you little things to do to live a pleasant day. Your body has memory muscle and all that you've learnt in six months is not wasted. It's not just a physical thing, it's emotional, I'm a nicer person when I've done yoga, it takes away anxiety.

Kayleigh_Brown: Hi geri i want to know what has been the most challenge part of your life so far, and do you think you will face a harder task in the years to come.

Geri replies: Congratulations! I've had a lot of challenging things in my life, but I believe that God doesn't give you more than you can handle and sometimes I think How do I deal with this? My recent trip to Oman was mind blowing on every level as a performer it was scary, as a civilian I found it very intense and as a human being I found it very challenging. It makes me think, I nearly drowned in Uganda, I've been on a rubbish tip in the Philippines, I've come to the point now that I think you never know what's round that corner. My fear still kicks in and wants to hold on to old ideas, my biggest challenge to date is letting go and embracing life - the good and the bad, love I think, that's a challenge for me.

Geri says: Thanks everyone. A big kiss and it's lovely that you've taken the time out to come and meet me online. Stay safe and look after yourselves. I really enjoy my work with Marie Stopes International and make sure you check out the rest of the site www.likeitis.org.uk

source: likeitis