In her own words, Emma Bunton, 44, reveals the most important lessons she's learnt in life, love and being one fifth of the world's biggest ever girl band
I was a shy child who loved music and dancing, but I wasn’t the kind of person who would do it in front of anyone.
I made up my own radio shows in my bedroom, and played music on my DJ desk.
It was all quite private until I went to Sylvia Young Theatre School.
I remember falling in love on the day of my audition, hearing music coming from one room and tap dancing from another. The teachers brought out my confidence.
I stopped hiding and came out of my shell.
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I never imagined I’d become a world famous pop star.
Even at theatre school, being in a pop band was so far from the acting I was doing. That child would be very shocked to see me now.
Being away from home was the toughest part about being in the Spice Girls.
I did have my days when I’d get very homesick. I’m very, very close to my family.
My mum travelled with me, and having her there was wonderful.
I’ve learnt so much from my parents and I want to support my boys too. I want them to find their passion.
My boys are my priority. I’m protective of them, but they’re growing up.
They teach me just as much as I teach them and we’ve pledged to spend less time on our phones.
Technology is the future and we can’t get away from that.
Knowing what my kids are doing online is more important than how much they’re on screens.
I try to take the positives from everything, but I’m glad that there was no social media when the Spice Girls first started out.
I can remember the first time I saw someone take a picture with their phone.
It’s very different now.
Some people don’t know what they’re saying and it can be hurtful to others.
They don’t actually mean it, and if we were face to face, I don’t think they would say those things.
I’ve changed so much since having kids.
Tate, eight, and Beau, 12, bring so much light to my life.
We play music in the morning and dance around the kitchen. They are fun and creative and everything comes after them.
I was a team player in the Spice Girls, and having each other for support was hugely important.
I had my friends right there, on stage or off. It made the process of being in a band all so fun and easy and we had such a good bond.
Jade is the greatest love of my life.
We’ve been together for 21 years and he is my rock and the key to this family. He’s my best friend and my partner, and he’s pretty hot as well, which helps.
The Spice Girls are so close, I feel like I know what they’re thinking.
There is such an energy when we’re together. It’s so hard to explain it to people, because it was an instant bond.
I would tell my younger self not to worry so much about the smaller things.
It’s something we all suffer with.
My nephew is 18 and I keep telling him to go out and enjoy life.
You’re a sponge at that age and you’ll go on to have children and put other things before yourself. You’ve got to go for it, haven’t you? Have fun.
Girl power will never leave me.
It’s just part of me now. It comes from my mum, who went back to college at 40 and was a black belt aged 42. Now, I’m like, ‘Right, what can I learn?’
I haven’t got any regrets.
I think you learn from any mistakes you make in life.
I seem to have a bit of a bad memory and leave the past behind me.
Move on up and don’t dwell, that’s my motto.
Sometimes I can’t believe this is my life.
I’d like to think I’m still the same person.
Me and my brother still argue like cat and dog – he doesn’t care who I am – and I do the washing up at my mum’s house. I perform on stage in front of thousands and when I come home, everyone treats me the same.
My Secret Snapshot
This picture really warms my heart. I’ve always loved my birthday and spending it with my family.
Here I am two years ago with my kids who are giving me the biggest birthday cuddle.
My mum always makes the day special and that year she bought me balloons and took this picture while Jade poured me a glass of champagne and orange juice.
I think it was snowing, as well. It was one of those very special moments in life and some perfect quality time with my family.
I wanted to be a parent for as long as I can remember and I loved every moment, from being pregnant to giving birth.
I’m so lucky that Jade is an amazing partner and dad to the kids.
Having my children was my proudest moment of my life.
Emma Bunton is Vodafone’s new Digital Parenting ambassador and is encouraging families to use their new Digital Family Pledge to get up to speed on four hot topics – screen time, social media, cyberbullying and gaming – and agree some digital rules as a family.
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