Former Spice Girl Mel B Reveals She Was Diagnosed With Dyslexia at 42

In a recent interview, singer Melanie “Mel B” Brown opened up about her dyslexia diagnosis, which came only last year at the age of 42.

After years of hiding her struggles, Brown said she “felt really relieved” by the diagnosis. It’s the first time she’s spoken publicly about her dyslexia.

Brown was a member of the iconic ’90s British pop group the Spice Girls, in which she was known as “Scary Spice.” (The group also consisted of Victoria Beckham aka “Posh Spice,” Emma Bunton aka “Baby Spice,” Melanie Chisholm aka “Sporty Spice,” and Geri Halliwell aka “Ginger Spice.”)

Appearing on a British talk show, Loose Women, the singer spoke openly about her struggles growing up.

“All my life, I’ve just thought that maybe just my brain is wired different,” she said. “When I’d see words backward, or I’d have to memorize a script over and over and over again, or it’d take me five months to read one chapter of a book because I couldn’t compute it.”

Watch the interview of Brown talking about her dyslexia:

Brown says her diagnosis has helped to provide understanding for all the obstacles she faced in the past. The America’s Got Talent judge says she now knows how to address her learning and thinking difference.

“Colors on paper and writing help me learn and understand better,” Brown explained. “And then just talking about it too and not feeling so embarrassed and ashamed.”

Learn about more musicians with learning and thinking differences. Watch a video of a woman reacting to her diagnosis of dyslexia. And see a list of signs of dyslexia in children.

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