Ex-Spice Girl Mel C stated that she will no longer perform in Poland on New Year’s Eve due to issues “that do not connect with the groups that I support.”
The singer, whose real name is Melanie Chisholm but is better known as “Sporty Spice,” updated her New Year’s plans, which had attracted criticism from the LGBTQ+ community.
“Due to various concerns brought to my attention, which do not correspond with the communities I support, I’m afraid I will no longer be able to perform in Poland on New Year’s Eve as scheduled,” she wrote on Twitter.
The Spice Girl continued, “I hope to return very soon. Best greetings for the holiday season and for the next year of 2023.”
The LGBTQ+ community applauded her decision to withdraw from the broadcasted concert for the Polish state broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP) despite her lack of explanation.
In recent years, the broadcaster had been accused of spreading propaganda against the LGBTQ+ community.
Twitter users were also quick to praise Mel C for her support, with many referring to her as a “hero.”
The former Spice Girl stated that she was unable to perform on New Year’s Eve due to concerns that do not connect with the communities she represents.
Chrisholm, 48, is regarded as a staunch advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, having won the celebrity ally award at the British LGBTQ Awards in 2021 and the “Honorary Gay” award from Attitude magazine this year.
While homosexuality has been allowed in Poland since 1932, same-sex marriage, civil unions, and the adoption of children by same-sex couples are forbidden.
TVP stated in a statement that Chrisholm withdrew from the performance “due to the pressure of online criticism.”
Melanie C is one of the many stars of this year’s “New Year’s Eve Dreams with Dwójka,” who accepted the invitation and signed a contract with Telewizja Polska and will celebrate the new year with us, and today – under the strain of online comments – she abruptly resigned from the performance.
“The corporation was taken aback by the artist’s sudden change of plans. TVP reminds us that New Year’s Eve is a concert for anyone who wishes to ring in the new year in style.”
»Mel C cancels her Poland concert due to “problems brought to my attention.”«