All Saints They Ain't
November 2000 - New Woman

So you think you know whether it's Nicole Appleton or Mel Blatt who's into The Met Bar, kids or baking...Well, says Sarah Pyper, the only thing you know for sure is who snogged Liam.

My male friends aren't an easily impressed bunch, but the moment I said I was interviewing Mel and Nicole from All Saints, they reverted to pubescent pop fans. They pleaded for "Nic's autograph", "a photo or something" and even "a signed thong" (you learn a lot about people at times like these). But Nicole-related items were way more in demand ('she's a real go-er') than Mel's ('she attractive, but she's a mum now...'). Why? Well just look at the images we get of the band every time we open a tabloid.

Mel Blatt and Shaznay Lewis are supposedly the solid, dependable ones who write the songs, and then go home  for a cup of cocoa and an early night. Meanwhile Nic and Natalie Appleton are the partying, flirty sisters, who are too busy notching up celeb boyfriends and downing cocktails at The Met Bar to do a hard days work.

So I wasn't surprised when 'family girl' Mel turned up on time with fiancé (and ex-member of Jamiroquai) Stuart Zender and their two-year-old daughter Lilyella, while 'party girl' turned up, a week late, in a totally cool pink outfit, and started chatting to everyone about clothes, and how she think she put on weight ('I'm shit at dieting, so I've had to start doing kick-boxing and swimming').

But they aren't that neatly pigeon-holed. It's Mel who spends the best of three hours having her hair and make-up done, then sends out for bangers and mash, because she doesn't fancy the lunch that's been laid on, and reveals that she and Stuart are thinking of buying a mansion in France for the best part of £1 million.

Nic who turns up on her own, worries about her cats at home, and gets slightly embarrassed about having her photo taken, sprawling seductive over a cluster of cushions. So, what's the truth about these two? As usual, only the New Woman test can find out…

Nicole's Stay.
The media see Mel as a homebody, and you as a party girl. Is that right?
No, it exactly the opposite! Mel is the mad one and I'm the home person.
Er, right, so you're saying you like staying in and Mel's always out on the town?
Yeah. Even Mel's like, 'I can't believe they think I'm so innocent', because she's not. Mel is hardcore and I'm frightened of her. Mel snaps. She's the exorcist, she's frightening… I'm not kidding. And she doesn't like anybody. Mel doesn't like anybody.
Are you serious?
I'm so serious. It's true. (Slowly) Mel...doesn't...like...anyone.
But she must like the rest of the band, surely?
Well, we got her a t-shirt with "I hate everyone" on the front and "except Lily" on the back. That's just Mel. She just doesn't like anyone.
She seemed nice and a bit quiet when I met her…
No, no. Listen, people have this whole band wrong.
So what are you really like?
I'm a very spiritual person. After we do the world tour I want to go round the world and actually see it this time. Then I want to get involved with kids and animals, because I'm a big, big fan of kids and animals.

Mel's Stay

You're reckoned to be the goody-goody member of All Saints. So, confess, have you ever broken the law?
I've never broken the law but it's only cos I don't drive. If I did, I'd probably have killed loads of people by now. I've never had lessons because I'm so petrified of driving. I have these visions of me killing pedestrians with them flying of my bonnet. The co-ordination between my hands, my brain and my feet is just not good!
When was the last time you stayed out till 3am?
I don't know. I went to The Beach premiere but I came back early. It was the same with Honest (All Saints debut movie). My best mates are at home so I get to that stage in the evening when I think, 'I might as well go home'. I like the dressing-up bit though, I'm always up for that, but it's nice to go home and put my trousers back on.
I read that you've only had three nights out this year. Is that because you're home crocheting outfits for Lilyella?
(Laughs) Nah. I do go out but I tend not to go to celebrity bashes. I go out clubbing with my mates in private. I love R&B, so I'm always out looking for that on Saturday night.
Do you get recognised?
Yes, but when you don't look for it, you don't really see it. When I'm out and about, I'm in my own little world. It's like when I'm running to the shops. I'm not thinking, 'Oh my God, who's going to see me running to the shops?' I'm just in a scruffy ponytail with no make-up on.
But when All Saints first made it big, you were as much a  Met Bar regular as the rest of the band.
Sure, and I had fun. There was a clique of us and it was just like going to our local - Except we got free drink! After a while though, we'd had our photo taken outside too much and it got a bit ugly. But it was cool at the time.
So why aren't you the one with the party reputation?
I've leaned my lesson, basically, it's very easy to go out to a party every night, but I don't need to, and don't want to because I've got her. (Nods towards Lily) It is possible to do but it just makes you look like a ligger.
Nicole tends to be seen as the band's ligger. Is that fair?
There are some people in this business who should be seen like that because they are like that, but not Nic. Yeah, she likes to go out, and she likes to have a good time, but she's open and unfortunately that's a really bad trait to have in this business. She's a lovely girl with the biggest heart, but she gives it away and she gets done by the press every time.
You sound disillusioned with the band's image.
I don't know about disillusioned, I'm more wary. When All Saints first came out, I was a big mouth. But you soon learn that if you say what you think, it gets taken out of context and you end up sounding like a Spice Girl. It just wasn't me. Now I keep my views private and don't try to impose them on anyone else. I used to think that people should lives the way I wanted to, but now I've learned to let everyone be. Each to their own.
Does the attention bother you more now you have Lily to worry about?
Definitely, but I think I've been lucky. I made a point of not having any photos taken of her when she was born because it would've created too much interest. It's quite new, all this baby-picture thing. I mean, you didn't know what  Stella McCartney looked like before she became famous in her own right, did you?

Björk once hit a reporter who tried to interview her son without permission. Can you imagine yourself doing the same thing?
(Passionately) Totally. I would have done exactly the same thing. Normally, I'm really passive and unconfrontional but when it comes to my daughter - Just don't mess with my kid! I was at an airport and Lily was asleep in her pushchair, but security made me wake her up so they could put the chair through the machine. There was no need for it, and I lost it. The threatened to put me away, but I wasn't having anyone mess with my kid.
Are you equally protective of your relationship with Stuart?
Luckily the press have pretty much left us alone, but that's because we have our own life at home together.
But you have appeared in OK! Magazine.
Yeah, when I was pregnant, but I totally regret it. The money was nice, but the whole principle behind it means I really regret doing it. I'm sure that in ten years time when I have no career, I'll do it again - But not until then.
So you and Stuart aren't trying to be another Posh'n'Becks?
No way! I would never put myself in that position. There are far more famous people than them who don't get half the press attention they do. But that kind of thing is addictive and I'm sure their life isn't easy.
How long have you been engaged now?
Er, coming up for two, two and-a-half years. I think. We got engaged quickly after we met, so that's why it's confusing. We haven't even got an anniversary because we can't remember when we got together.
Well at least neither of you can get into trouble for forgetting it.
(Laughs) No, that's true.
So how did you first meet?
At a party.
See, you are a wild child!
I know, it's ugly. I'd rather it had been in a supermarket!
Have you set a date to get married yet?
No, I do want to get married but I keep swaying because sometimes I think I shouldn't need a piece of paper to prove it…
Are you planning on having any more children?
Oh definitely. I want loads but it's not going to happen yet. I can't imagine how anyone can deal with two kids. Especially with all this kind of thing going on.
Do you ever wish you weren't famous?
Yes. For Lily's sake, more than anything. The press are always judging you, and you just want to get on with your life.

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