On August 5, 2025, Melanie Chisholm, known as Sporty Spice, turned heads aboard a luxury yacht in Ibiza, showcasing a sculpted physique that rivaled an Olympic athlete’s. The 51-year-old Spice Girl, spotted in a black bikini, shared a passionate kiss with her Australian model boyfriend, Chris Dingwall, as reported by Daily Mail. The images, capturing Mel’s toned abs and tattoos, went viral, with fans on X praising her fitness, posting, “Mel C’s more ripped than ever!” Her romantic getaway, however, was overshadowed by her candid revelation about being banned from dating during her Spice Girls days, sparking renewed intrigue about the group’s past.

Mel, joined by friends on the Balearic Island cruise, enjoyed water sports like kayaking and diving, embodying her Sporty Spice moniker. Her muscular frame, honed through years of training and triathlons, drew comparisons to her 2019 reunion tour physique, per Daily Mail. Dingwall, a 185cm model and aspiring actor, was equally smitten, with the couple’s chemistry evident in PDA-filled moments. X users gushed, “Mel and Chris are couple goals!” The pair, who went public at Glastonbury 2024, also attended Wimbledon in July, cementing their bond.

In a poignant interview with Australia’s The Project, Mel revealed a bitter truth from her Spice Girls era: she was banned from dating, unlike her bandmates. “It was one rule for me and another for the others,” she said, noting that management deemed her “too vulnerable” for relationships, while others were free to pursue them. “It made me question myself,” she added, per Daily Mail. This double standard, enforced during the group’s 1990s peak, left a lasting impact, with fans on X reacting, “That’s so unfair to Mel!” and “She deserved better.”

Mel’s resilience shines through, as she balances her DJ career, including a set at Ibiza’s Loaded nightclub, and her role as a judge on The Voice Australia. Her fitness, showcased in a March 2025 Sydney workout, remains a cornerstone of her identity, per Yahoo. After a seven-year relationship with Joe Marshall ended in 2022, Mel’s romance with Dingwall marks a new chapter, with her openness about past struggles resonating deeply.

As Mel basks in love and fitness, her revelations about the Spice Girls’ control shed light on the cost of fame. Her yacht escapade, blending romance and strength, proves Sporty Spice is thriving, leaving fans inspired and eager for her next move.