Smash Hits (August 1999)

BEACH BABE

What jolly holidays has Geri Halliwell been on over past few summers ? She tells all to a bikini-clad Jordan Paramor.... We join Geri on a scorching hot day as she lies on a big picnic blanket in her back garden basking in the sun. Next to her lie her friend Denise - who's just touched up Geri's roots - and her devoted dog Harry. Catching some rays in her garden with her mates is Geri's favourite way to spend a day. But have all the summer holidays she's had been fab ? Does she go topless on the beach ? And what's all this about her and Mel G tying men up ?

Where did you go on holiday as a nipper?

Ooh, we used to go to my grand mother's house in Spain. We'd go for about six weeks and get really fat because my gra used to cook us fantastic food. And we'd climb the mountains, which was lovely. And my dad always used to take me down to Southend and he'd always get lost on the way ha ha ha.

What kind of holidays do you prefer - wild and crazy or lovely and relaxing?

I like to lie there and be a complete flop. I can go out but I like tacky nightclubs where you don't have to be cool. I like places that don't try hard. The problem with going on busy holidays is that you need another holiday to get over them.

If you could jet off anywhere right now, where would you go ?

I normally go to George's (George Michael) in St Tropez. It's lovely and I know it's safe, I can relax and not worry about photographers and stuff.

What's been your best holidays ever ?

I had a really great one... (pauses) I had a really great one with Mel B actually. We went to Gran Canaria many years ago and that was really nice. It was really fun, we had a good time. I had another really good one with the rest of the Spice Girls as well. We went to Maui and it was my birthday. We were just hanging out like a girl gang. (Smiles). It was nice.

Who'd be your ideal holiday companion ?

Someone who's got the right attitude. Someone that's really easy-going and you don't have to speak to all the time. (Excited) I'll tell you who is brillant to be with, George's boyfriend Kenny. If you want to be loud he can be loud, but if you want to just lie there, he'll just lie there and chill out with you. He's great.

Have you ever had a holiday disaster ?

Yep, I went to Barbados and they told me that the hotel would be really secluded. But I got there and the balcony was 100 yards from the main road and I had someone filming me on my balcony and it was just so awful. I mean, can you imagine it? You're just sitting there in your bikini and (gasps) oh my gooood, someone's filming you. I came home after two days of the holidays because I didn't like it. It totally spoilt it for me.

Do you go topless on the beach ?

I have to be a little bit wary because of photographers and stuff like that. But it's not just that, I don't find going topless very practical. You know if you're runnig around and that. I think being topless can look fantastic if you've got small breasts, but if you're well endowed it's not very good if you want to move about. So I'd rather just strap them up, to be honest with you !

Is it true you tied a club promoter to a tree on holiday ?

Yes, that is true, but he was actually a hotel manager. That was on the holiday with Mel B. This guy said he'd keep the disco open till 2 am, but he tried to close it at midnight, so we handcuffed him to the nearest tree. We were quite wild then.

Can you build good sandcastles ?

I'm not bad. But I prefer burying people, and I like being buried. It may sound a bit twisted but i like it!

What do you love about lying on the beach ?

I like watching people walk up and down the beach. I don't really go in the sea aymore because I'm a bit frightenned of it these days. Ever since I nearly drowned last year (Geri was whitewater rafting for Comic Relief), I've got a fear of water. When I shot the video for Mi chico Latino the sea was really rough but I had to try and stay still when they filmed, which was really difficult. And also they kept raking the sand and when I asked why they said it was because of litter, but they told me afterwards that it was because of (shocked) jellyfish.

What are you five holiday essentials ?

Some sunblock to put on my nose otherwise it goes bright red. A really good novel, so if your flight is delayed you can get absorbed in it. I always take a long linen shirt that can double up as a nightie, and suntan lotion. And I'd better take a bikini, hadn't I?

Who would you most kiss in the summer sun ?

(Goes uncharacteristically coy) I'm not telling you. There is someone but I'm not going to tell you who. I have to have some secrets you know, hahaha!

MERCI à Johnjoy, webmaster du site Geri France