I am what I am,’ announces Mel B in her trademark northern boom.‘I’m very direct.’ She’s not wrong. In less than two months Mel’s unique brand of no-nonsense irritability has revived X Factor’s flagging fortunes on the strength of her bitchy resting face alone. During auditions 'no' became her favourite word, and to say that she lost her patience with below par acts would be to mistakenly imply that she had any to begin with.
She’s also properly funny, memorably barking at yet another male contestant going gooey eyed over Cheryl, ‘What am I? Chopped liver?’ But perhaps Mel’s biggest revelation has been in the style stakes, where she's emerged as a dark horse during the live shows. So far she’s worn flawless looks by McQueen, Versace and Stella McCartney, all complimented by her new, chic bob. Suddenly, leopard print cat suits and platform boots seem like another lifetime.
Mel B on the X Factor panel [ITV]
I’m at X Factor HQ in Wembley to discuss this transformation with Mel. Beforehand, I get a chance to sneak into the studio (much smaller in real life), catch a glimpse of Cheryl (ditto) and accost contestant Andrea in the canteen – managing to gush that he’s ‘amazing’ five times in two minutes (he is though, isn’t he?).
Once Mel, 39, is ready, she doesn’t disappoint, talking ten to the dozen about how much she loves being a part of X Factor, how meticulously she’s planned her wardrobe and how well she gets on with her fellow judges. The only times she pauses are to emit frequent throaty cackles, or to fix me with an occasional glare – such as when I suggest she should tell Simon to invest in some new jeans. ‘Why would I do that?’ she snaps. ‘I’m not rude.’
Mel B in Stella McCartney dress and Zara jumpsuit [Instagram]
Speaking of which, Mel’s new look hasn’t escaped the attentions of Mr Cowell, who definitely is rude. Case in point, Mel relates a story about the first live show. ‘Me and Simon were behind the screen waiting to go on,’ she says. ‘And he turns to me and goes, “I have to tell you darling, you look cute now”. I went, “Well what was I before?” and he says, “Average.” I couldn’t say anything back because the doors were opening.’
And Simon isn’t the only A-lister to have complimented her. In May, Mel presented Rihanna with an iHeartRadio Music Award. ‘It was one of the first times I’d worn a majorly different look, a jumpsuit by Roksanda Ilincic. And as I handed Rihanna the award, she whispered in my ear “You look f***ing hot!”’
So what’s behind Mel’s new look? ‘I’ve been working with a stylist who’s a good friend of mine, Jason Bolde,’ she explains. ‘He told me “I’m only going to work with you if you listen to me and let me make changes.' He wanted to give me a sleeker, more chic look, and so far he’s done wonders. Because it’s the UK X Factor I told him I wanna wear UK designers. Julien McDonald is a really good friend of mine, and I definitely wanted to wear Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney. It’s important to have a British flavour.’
Before and After: Mel B has been working on her X Factor style [Rex]
It’s all a far cry from the late nineties, when part of the Spice Girls Zeitgeisty charm was their rough and ready aesthetic. And Mel tells me their DIY approach didn’t end with the outfits. Her famous horns were, ‘Made out of paper cups with hair wrapped round them.’ She adds, ‘I made them myself for when I was feeling devilish. I like a bit of arts and crafts. I’ve still got all the old costumes in storage, my eldest daughter Phoenix gets them all out and laughs her head off!’ Suffice to say, if we were Pheonix we'd be keeping a closer eye on mum's archive from now on…
**Don't forget to stay tuned to @Grazia_Live on Twitter and Instagram as we bring you an exclusive first look at Mel B's X Factor outfit every weekend. See her greatest looks so far in the gallery below...
**
Mel's beauty treatments for the show each week are by Nilam Patel. See her website at www.nilam-patel.com.