IT'S THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF "WANNABE"!

Of course, your COOL Principal, Rxandy Capinpin, is a massive Spice Girls fan! So, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, it's time to get schooled with 30 fun facts and stories about the biggest girl group of the '90s.

1. Before they became the Spice Girls, they were originally called Touch.

2. Before the Spice Girls arrived, teen pop magazines were dominated by boys like Take That, Kavannah, JTT and the Backstreet Boys.

3. The group wrote "Wannabe" in just 15–20 minutes, and Mel B famously wrote her rap while she was in the bathroom!

4. "Wannabe" was inspired by the "Summer Nights" bassline in Grease.

5. "Wannabe" reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1996 and stayed there for seven consecutive weeks.

6. "Zig-a-zig-ah" is a nonsense phrase from the song. Mel C once said it referred to "hooking up," but longtime Spice fans have their own theories—including that it's a cheeky reference to sex or an orgasm.

7. "Wannabe" is ultimately a song about female friendship. Their final single, "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)," also celebrates the same message of lifelong friendship.

8. Victoria Beckham doesn't have a solo line in the studio version of "Wannabe," but in the music video she lip-syncs one of Mel B's lines.

9. Virgin Records executives didn't initially want "Wannabe" as the group's debut single. They preferred either "Love Thing" or "Say You'll Be There."

10. The iconic "Wannabe" music video was filmed as one continuous shot at the Midland Grand Hotel (now the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel) in London.

11. The chaotic, energetic vibe of the "Wannabe" video reflected the girls' real-life experience of running around London, visiting record companies, and introducing themselves to music executives.

12. In some broadcasts of the "Wannabe" music video during the '90s, Mel B's nipples were blurred for television.

13. The Spice Girls were in Japan promoting the single when they found out "Wannabe" had reached No. 1 in the UK.

14. Their famous nicknames—Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh, and Sporty Spice—were coined by Top of the Pops magazine.

15. Before "Ginger Spice" became the official nickname, Geri Halliwell was sometimes referred to as "Sexy Spice."

16. During the height of their global success, the media called the phenomenon "Spice Mania" or the "Spice Bubble."

17. Back then, fans gathered on forums like Denden and SpiceNews.com. Today, many longtime fans stay connected through the Spice Circle Facebook group.

18. The phrase "Girl Power" was first popularized by the British band Shampoo before the Spice Girls made it a worldwide slogan.

19. Every Spice Girl had a signature pose:

• Scary Spice: Tongue out

• Baby Spice: "Shh" finger pose

• Ginger Spice: Peace sign with "Girl Power"

• Posh Spice: Signature pointing pose

• Sporty Spice: Athletic action poses and high kicks

20. By 1997, the Spice Girls were exhausted. They were simultaneously writing the Spiceworld album, filming the Spice World movie, and preparing for their world tour.

21. In 1997, the group famously fired their manager, Simon Fuller, and took control of managing their own careers. It's often said that "Stop" was inspired by that experience.

22. Geri Halliwell left the group before the American leg of the Spiceworld Tour. "Goodbye" became a tribute to her, and many fans believe she had contributed to parts of the song before her departure.

23. The Spice Girls released three studio albums: Spice, Spiceworld, and Forever (recorded after Geri left), and a compilation Greatest Hits album.

24. As a group, the Spice Girls scored nine UK No. 1 singles. If you include their solo careers, the five members achieved 17 UK No. 1 singles in total.

25. Victoria Beckham is the only Spice Girl who never achieved a solo UK No. 1 single.

26. The Spice Girls had several famous rivalries with artists such as Oasis, All Saints, and later, Westlife.

27. Their five major concert events were:

• Girl Power! Live in Istanbul (1997)

• Spiceworld Tour (1998)

• Christmas in Spiceworld (1999)

• The Return of the Spice Girls Tour (2007–08)

• Spice World – 2019 UK Tour

28. Some of the biggest brands to collaborate with the Spice Girls included Pepsi, Walkers Crisps, Chupa Chups, Victoria's Secret, and the much-talked-about Aprilia motorcycle campaign.

29. Their bubblegum pop fashion defined the late '90s and continues to inspire today's trends—from towering platform shoes and colorful hair streaks to tracksuits, crop tops, and bold statement outfits.

30. The Spice Girls' influence can still be seen in artists such as Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Adele, and Billie Eilish, all of whom have spoken about the group's impact on pop music and female empowerment.

Thirty years later, "Wannabe" remains more than just a hit song—it changed pop culture, redefined girl groups, and made "Girl Power" a global movement. If you wanna be my lover... you definitely have to know your Spice Girls history! #CoolisinSession