Mel C, also known as Melanie Chisholm, has spoken about how feelings of loneliness during her time in the Spice Girls significantly contributed to her battle with depression. The 52-year-old singer, who documented her clinical depression diagnosis in her 2022 memoir, explained in a recent interview that her mental health struggles were "very environmental" and partly stemmed from being the only member of the group without a partner.

During the late 1990s, at the height of the Spice Girls' global fame, most of her bandmates were in established relationships. Victoria Beckham married David Beckham and had her first child by 1999. Mel B married Jimmy Gulzar in 1998 and also welcomed her first child, while Emma Bunton began her long-term relationship with Jade Jones in 1999. Geri Halliwell was also navigating high-profile romances, which led Mel C to feel left behind.

"I think there was many times in the band when we were working together where I was the only one without a partner... I would have liked to have dated. I had a dry spell," Mel C told The Louis Theroux Podcast. She described being single as a "big theme of my adult life" and noted that it was a considerable time before she entered a long-term relationship.

She also addressed the perception of fame leading to romantic opportunities, stating that her experience was different. "Our gigs weren't like that. They were full of young girls and gays, which are the best audience. You just don't get any action. But it was quite lonely for me at times."

Mel C's depression intensified around the time the Spice Girls split in 2000, coinciding with increased issues with binge drinking and binge eating. She stated that her depression arose from "the experiences that I'd had, and just getting to that point where I couldn't continue living the way I was living." She added that returning to health was a difficult process, further complicated by her ongoing solo touring and promotional activities.

During the 1990s, Mel C had a brief, month-long relationship with Robbie Williams in 1997. In her memoir, she described Williams as having "behaved badly" and leaving her heartbroken after leading her on and then abruptly ending the connection. Reflecting on the past, she told Louis Theroux, "It was a million years ago and lasted two seconds."

Following her romance with Williams, Mel C dated J Brown from the boyband 5ive for four months in 2000. She described him as a "lovely boy" and noted that they have remained friends, although they have not spoken recently.

More than two decades later, Mel C publicly confirmed her relationship with model Chris Dingwall in 2024. She was previously in a seven-year relationship with her former manager Joe Marshall, which ended in 2015. She is also mother to 17-year-old daughter Scarlett, whose father is her former partner Thomas Starr. Mel C has recently expressed happiness in her current relationship with Dingwall, hinting at the possibility of marriage in her future.