It goes without saying that Beyoncé is the prototype for what it means to be a pop icon — music, fashion, film, philanthropy, art and activism are just some of the worlds where she wears the title of “Queen Bey.” However, there was a point when she was just a member in a burgeoning R&B quarter-turned-trio by the name of Destiny’s Child in the ’90s, a time period dominated by another female pop group: The Spice Girls.
Many who watched episode six of Selena: The Series may have peeped a pre-fame baby Bey meeting the late Tejano music icon during a chance encounter, but it was actually Victoria Beckham who let the world know how much Beyoncé was manifesting ‘Girl Power’ while on the come-up.
Image: George De Sota/Liaison/Getty
Speaking with the Breaking Beauty podcast via Dear Media, Posh Spice says of being a source of inspiration for the biggest pop star out, “I met Beyoncé a few years ago, and she actually said to me, ‘It was the Spice Girls that inspired me and made me want to do what I do and made me proud to be a girl and proud to be who I am.'” She followed up by stating her approval of the co-sign, further adding, “When someone like Beyoncé, who is so iconic and was such a strong woman, says that she was inspired by the Spice Girls, I think that’s quite something.”
Both The Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child garnered a handful of number one singles, landed a bunch of major brand endorsements, spearheaded questionable-yet-iconic ’90s fashions moments and ultimately created a lane for women in music that allowed for girl groups after them to prosper at even greater lengths. In short, it makes a lot of sense for The Spice Girls to be one of Beyoncé’s core influences.
Who was your favorite girl group in the ’90s? Destiny’s Child? The Spice Girls? Sound off below — the more cringey, the better:
