I’ve talked to Geri several times – I know her demons. Christian Horner’s sordid scandal has blown up her life. And now she’s facing the ultimate test: LIZ JONES

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It’s tough for Geri. She changed her last name to Horner when she married Christian in 2015, and then couldn’t even go on a honeymoon because of his work running the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team.

Last year was difficult for her, as she had to publicly appear supportive of Christian when he faced accusations (which were later proven false) of sending improper messages to a coworker.

Following the release of those embarrassing messages, she joined her husband at the Formula 1 season launch in Bahrain, where he held her hand in a possessive way.

Let’s be real, I’ve seen this scenario play out so many times! She was *making* a statement, head-to-toe in designer labels – vintage Gucci and an Hermes bag practically glued to her arm. It was all about projecting confidence, sending a clear message: ‘I’ve leveled up, and yes, I deserve all of this. This isn’t the girl who used to shop at Next, and he’s definitely still my guy!’ Predictably, those photos blew up online. It’s a classic power move, honestly.

After a lengthy negotiation, her husband received an £80 million settlement from the owners of his team. He’s now on paid leave, meaning he can’t work for another team in the same sport for several months.

The truth is, most people don’t want their husbands to be idle at home for an extended period. Christian is a dedicated workaholic who thrives on excitement, a trait that goes back to his childhood passion for go-kart racing.

To make matters even worse, it’s been revealed he’s taking his ex-wife, a former Spice Girl, on a belated honeymoon trip – a road trip around Scotland, of all places.

Oh, honestly, if I could’ve planned Geri’s vacation, it *absolutely* would have been St. Bart’s. Can you even *imagine* her, all relaxed, showing off how amazing she looks in a bikini and doing yoga right on the beach? Seriously, anything would have been better than where she actually ended up, even just chilling on the Amalfi Coast! It’s just… perfect in my head!

In Scotland, she might not even get to enjoy the beautiful views. Her husband will probably be driving so fast that everything will just be a grey streak.

Few things are more irritating than being stuck in a car with someone for a long trip. He’s constantly yelling at the slow drivers ahead, while she desperately tries to keep the conversation going with pointless small talk, like questioning whether Red Bull is as iconic as Ferrari.

Christian is planning a trip with his wife to the Isle of Skye. While Geri might live in a large country house and even owns horses, she’s not like the Princess of Wales, who happily walks the rugged moors in any weather, dressed in a practical Barbour jacket.

I got to know Geri well when she was a pop star, and I know she struggles with self-doubt. While she might be relieved her husband has stopped traveling to exotic places filled with attractive women – a situation she likely found unsettling – she’s probably also worrying about whether she’s still interesting enough for him, and if he’ll get bored. She might even be considering bringing their eight-year-old son, Monty, along on trips just to keep things stable.

Even though Geri Halliwell achieved fame with the Spice Girls, she struggled with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. While she created iconic looks, like a dress made from a tea towel, and even playfully nudged Prince Charles, she always felt like the girl from a working-class background who once dreamed of fashion while working at the store Next.

I first worked with her in Los Angeles in 2001 on a magazine photoshoot. Beforehand, she sent a fax listing the only foods she’d eat: brown rice, steamed vegetables, and skim milk. When she changed into a bikini in the dressing room, it became clear she was extremely thin and the designer clothes didn’t fit. We ended up photographing her in her own jeans and a small top. Beyond her fame and wealth, it was heartbreaking to see how much she punished her body – she’d struggled with bulimia in the past and later became intensely focused on Ashtanga yoga, suggesting a deep inner struggle.

When the news about her husband’s texts came out, she publicly stood by him, but privately she was likely questioning her own worth and their relationship. Now in her fifties, she may have wondered if he still loved her, especially considering he’d left a family before – he’d previously ended a marriage and had a child with Geri. It made her wonder if his past behavior meant he was destined to repeat it.

I can just *feel* this road trip isn’t going to be a peaceful getaway. Being with someone who thinks and reacts so incredibly fast is going to be…intense. I imagine she’ll be on edge, maybe even feeling like she’s constantly being evaluated, just trying to hold on tight – both to him and to her composure.

I visited her beautiful home in north London back in 2010. She was clearly enjoying motherhood – her daughter, Bluebell (from her relationship with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi), was playing on the lawn – and seemed genuinely comfortable and happy with who she was. She was also launching a swimwear line and spoke openly about the challenges and acceptance of getting older. It was brave of her to overcome her self-doubt and finally be kind to herself.

However, these recent accusations against her husband and the disruption to her family’s normal life have likely shaken her confidence. She shared with me that what she values most in a partner isn’t wealth or appearance, but rather loyalty and kindness.

Geri already experienced the heartbreak of leaving the Spice Girls and doesn’t want to go through that again. Now, she feels like she’s simply along for the ride in her ambitious and fast-paced husband’s life.

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2025-09-23 14:19