Mel C sparks furious backlash from fans after posting ‘hypocritical’ topless photo

Little Mix fans are up in arms

mel c

by Seamus Duff |
Published on

Former Spice Girl Mel C gave fans a cheeky behind-the-scenes first look from a photo shoot – but we can't imagine she expected the backlash she received from fans.

The 42-year-old artist, formally known as Sporty Spice, was all excited on Instagram, sharing a picture of herself posing in nothing but a pair of off-white coloured knickers.

Her hair was loose and she covered her breasts by posing with her hands clasped just beneath her chin.

Uploading the photo late on Tuesday night, the singer wrote: "Cheeky little cover shoot tomorrow. Better get my work pants ready!"

Mel C
©Instagram

Unexpectedly, fans reacted in fury – calling Mel a hypocrite after she had previously made comments about Little Mix dressing "provocatively" and furiously filling her comment section with all manner of hate.

Honestly, we're more upset about her choice of underwear.

"Didn't you just criticise Little Mix for dressing 'provocatively'? A bit hypocritical don't you think?!" one unimpressed fan wrote in response to the (arguably pretty tame) photograph.

"I'm pretty sure you were quick to criticise Little Mix on their 'provocative' outfits and sexualisation and here you are with nothing but your pants on? Pot kettle black springs to mind," wrote another outraged fan.

A third raged: "Sadly I think you may have left yourself open for this criticism from Little Mix fans. Not that I think your photo is sexual at all. Neither did I think you were correct in your criticism of those young ladies trying to become adults in a sexist industry."

little mix at the brits
Little Mix performing at the BRITs ©Wenn

You get the idea – although many other fans did praise her photo, with one writing: "Don't listen to the haters Melanie! You are beautiful with your body!"

Mel is yet to confront the deluge of backlash directly, but she has been vocal about her concerns over the sexualisation of women in the music industry in the past.

Seemingly rounding on Little Mix earlier this year, Mel said she was disappointed to see them scantily clad while performing on The X Factor in 2016 compared to their 2011 debut.

"I love Little Mix. I loved them from The X Factor. I just thought they were so different," she said.

"But they are getting more provocative. To me, they were kind of the closest thing to the Spice Girls we've seen," she continued.

"They are all gorgeous and great singers. But they weren't sexy and it's got more and more that way. I love them – but I just say, 'Stay you'," she added.

Mel also explained recently how she works hard to protect her own daughter, seven-year-old Scarlet, from sexualised music videos.

"I'll show her a silly dog falling over on YouTube or something but I'll keep her away from the rest of it for as long as possible," she said – adding that she fears Little Mix will influence her little daughter.

Mel C
©Instagram

"She is a massive Little Mix fan but I've started to be more sparing in what I show her. I don't let her watch videos by artists that aren't appropriate for her. That makes me a bit sad," Mel said – before going on to concede that The Spice Girls received criticism themselves when they were ruling the charts in the l90s.

"All young women want to look sexy and hot so I understand it's hard. But I think it's such a shame. We live in a narcissistic age – it's 100% worse than when I was in the Spice Girls. It was a more innocent time, although we were criticised for wearing crop tops," Mel said.

What do you think about Mel's topless photograph? Let us know via Twitter and Facebook (@CloserOnline)

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