LIME: Your debut solo CD A Girl Like Me took a year and a half to produce. Were you envious when Mel B and Mel C released their solo efforts much earlier?

Emma: I thought a year and a half was just the right amount of time. A lot of people don't see the other side of production. You have to get the mixes in, then you think you don't like it, and then you wanna hear more of the guitar.... I had to do behind-the-scenes work and I'm glad I took my time because I wanted it to be just right.

LIME: Are you more a control freak or a paranoid perfectionist?

Emma: (Chortles) Yup, I am quite the control freak especially since this album is my baby. It's mine. And it has to come from me. When fans listen to a song, they know if it comes from the heart. I can't just be on stage singing anything!

LIME: Did the two Mels give you any advice?

Emma: Erm... well, we're very close and very supportive of one another. I think the advice we always give one another is to have fun. We do very different music and we work differently, so we can't really tell one another to do this or that.

LIME: We hear you erm... held your chesty bits during recording sessions. Gee, how does that help you get in the mood?

Emma: (Glance at her make-up artist) I told you! Someone here will read about it! (Buries her face in her hands) How embarrssing! I didn't even know I was doing it! And when I opened my eyes, these guys were all looking at me! Haha! People do different things. Mel C does this (Wriggles her index finger in the air) and Mel B holds her head.

LIME: Were you in that pose while recording only a particular song, or did it last through the entire album?

Emma: (Cackles)I also had the same pose while recording Forever with the Spice Girls! I think it's just a comfort thing for me. No, you'll never see me doing that when I'm on stage! Only in the studios! Haha!

LIME: In the title track 'A Girl Like Me', you sing about "what you get is what you see". Is what we get what we see in you?

Emma: Without a doubt! That's the thing with me - you know, I'm a very open person. I'm also very loyal to my friends. And like you said, I just have to be in control and on top of everything.

LIME: With the release of your debut single 'What Took You So Long', you became the only Spice Girl to achieve a solo UK No1 for more than a week! You must be chuffed to bits!

Emma: (Contentedly)It feels absolutely amazing. I'm just so excited I can't believe it! In the second week, Janet Jackson, Robbie Williams and Gabrielle all came out with singles while I stayed at the top! Plus, I wrote the track!

LIME: The tune is about men who take ages to ask a girl out, What's the best way to egg on such blokes to make the first move sooner?

Emma: (Laughs) Oooh, that's a good question.Probaly a nice smile. And if you're out together, dance with them! But I think at the end of the day, you'll have to let them do the work. Haha!

LIME: Say, are you the type of gal to make the first move?

Emma: Actually... (Pauses and smiles) I've made the first move once - with my present boyfriend, Jade[from R&B band Damage]. He came to see a show of ours and we kinda started talking. We were all going to an after-show party and I said to him, "Come with me in my car." I made the first move, but he carried on from there!

LIME: You wrote 'Take My Breath Away' on your album for Jade...

Emma: (Sheepishly) I didn't write it for Jade. Haha! Obviously, he was in my mind, but 'Take My Breath Away' is about someone whom I'm proud of - like my brother and my friends. Jade is a great friend and he's very special to me, but I wouldn't say it was just for him. Heh heh!

LIME: So, is there a track you wrote specially for him?

Emma: (Ponders for a sec) Er... no? Haha! They're all dedicated to him, but none of them are specifically for him.

LIME: Right. When was the last time he took your breath away?

Emma: Oh, he's been amazing. When I was writing the album, I'd make him listen to the tracks and go, "What do you think?" He knows his music so it was really nice to get his opinion!

LIME: Did he buy your album?

Emma: Yes! Of Course!

LIME: More than one copy?

Emma: Er... maybe two. Haha!

LIME: Two years ago, you broke up with him for about six months. How has the separation strengthened your relationship?

Emma: Oh, it helped a lot! We were very young, very ambitious and very busy at that time, so the break gave us time to learn about ourselves and be ourselves. Getting back together was so much easier after that. We're still very ambitious, but we also care about each other alot. (Coos) It's nice when you get home and you see each other. Sometimes we don't see each other very much, but we have a great understanding of what we do.

LIME: What kind of girlfriend do you make?

Emma: (Thoughtfully) Hmm... I'm very understanding. I think what's really important is we respect each other. Especially in this business. We don't put pressure on each other.

LIME: What's this about Jade and you tying the knot secretly?

Emma: (Quickly) I know! It was very funny! And quite embarrassing for us, really. We don't talk about marriage. No time,really! (Smiles) We're still kinda dating!

LIME: You have two tattoos [one of 'Baby' and another of a Chinese character]. Ever thought of getting one with his name?

Emma: No! (Explodes into gigglish fit) Haha! Yes, I said he's my soul-mate, but no. I would never have a man's name tattooed on me!

LIME: Other than Damage, who's your fave boyband?

Emma: (Chuckles) The Backstreet Boys! Yeah, big fan. Always liked them. Howie's a good friend of mine. I love their music - I'm always ready to get up and boogie!

LIME: If you weren't with Jade, which of these hot hunks would you date - David Beckham, J-FIVE, Robbie Williams or [BritActor and Mel B's current beau] Max Beesley?

Emma: (Scrunches up her face) Oh... (Squeals) Oh noooo! None of them! Haha! I don't go near friends' boyfriends.

LIME: Of the men your Spice sisters have dated, who did you feel was utterly wrong for them?

Emma: (Stumped momentarily) None. I think everyone...erm... is an individual and we all have different boyfriends. We learn and we grow and we... you know, move on. I wouldn't say anyone wa swrong for any of them.

LIME: You always look so cheerful, it's hard to imagine you angry. What rocks your boat?

Emma: (Matter-of-factly) I hate to moan too much, but it gets me down sometimes when I'm away from home too long, and I miss my boyfriend and my dogs. What else? Ignorance and racism - I get upset when that happens.

LIME: And what happen when you blow your top?

Emma: I don't shout when I'm mad. Some people scream, but I don't. I usually cry...

LIME: When was the last time you cried?

Emma: Oh, just before I came on this trip. I was having my... you know, monthly thing. Haha! I was just so upset! I had all these emotions from nowhere! And I can't even remember what it was all about! Haha!

LIME: Lara Croft creator Adrian Smith reckons his cyberbabe is "strong-willed and independent... just like the Spice Girls". Which one of you do you reckon fits his image of Lara the most?

Emma: (Thrills) Aaaah! That's very nice! We like Lara Croft! There's bits of everyone of us in Lara, isn't there? But I think she's really a cross between Victoria and Mel C!

LIME: "Baby" reflected your cutesy persona in Spice Girls. What's the word to describe you now?

Emma: Fun-loving! Oh, and I've realised I'm quite a loyal person. I have friends whom I've known for over 20 years!

LIME: Does it bother you people still call you "Baby"- even though you're already 25?

Emma: No, its fine by me! It really depends on how you say it. There's (Chirps) 'Bay-beee' and there's (Drawls sexily) 'Baaay-beh'. Haha! (Nostalgically) I started with the Spice Girls when I was 18... and now I'm 25. With my new single and album, I think people will get to know me more as Emma.

LIME: But it's hard to think of you without the pigtails and miniskirts. Is it tough trying to shake off that image?

Emma: You know what, I don't want to shake it off! Baby Spice is a part of me that will never go away. There are days when I still put on my pigtails and jeans! There's a kid in everyone and for me, it's Baby. I love running around and being silly.

LIME: What's the first thing you'd chuck out from your Spice Girl getup: three-inch platforms, pigtails or baby-doll dresses?

Emma: (Giggles) The three-inch platforms! I've fallen over them away too many times! Haha!

LIME: All your Spice sisters have done something different with their tresses over the years, but you've stuck with the blonde 'do...

Emma: I like my hair! I don't know if I'll ever cut it short. I might change the colour one day... maybe. But I like being blonde. Blondes definitely have more fun! Haha!

LIME: The rest of the Spices hog headlines contantly, while you've been sedately scandal-free. Ever feel like you should stir up some mad rumour just so people will notice you?

Emma: Sometimes! Haha! (Seriously) No. I'm just being myself. I haven't got many skeletons in my closets. Actually, that's why my solo album is called 'A Girl Like Me' 'coz I am like every other girl out there. I love having my friends over, I've got a lovely boyfriend, I love my mom.... I'm really just any other girl.

LIME: Geri Halliwell got everyone talking about her new buff bod while Mel C's been slagged off for piling on the pounds. You, on the other hand, are very comfortable with your curves. Don't you feel the pressure to be thin?

Emma: I'm comfortable with myself, so I'm not always concerned about how I look. I'd rather worry about my friends and family. Some people are naturally thin and some aren't, so it's no use fretting over it all the time. Just be yourself and get comfortable!

LIME: How difficult, or easy, is it being Emma Bunton?

Emma: (Contently) I'm a very, very lucky girl. I appreciate every day that comes 'coz you don't know what's around the corner. I've had an amazing life and I thank everyone who had a part in it.

LIME: Not all pop stars share that sentiment, though. Most grumble about their torturous schedules....

Emma: (Sits up suddenly and slaps her knee) Well, you know what? That's what I'd like to ask! Why do these people complain about their lives? You know, when I did my vid for 'What Took You So Long?', I went up to the director and said, "Thank you. I had such a good time." And he went, "Most people would moan about how it's too cold or it's too late." I don't understand! (Shakes her head) I think they should be really thankful.

LIME: Reckon you'll get sick of singing one day?

Emma: I don't think so. I love entertaining; I love singing. (Coos) But there will come a time when I'll want to settle down, have children, take some time out, be a mom, a housewife... But I'll go right back to work after that! Haha!

LIME: The Spice Girls were the biggest musical phenomenon of the 90s. What will you tell your grandkids about your pop starlife?

Emma: Oh, its gonna be an amazing story! (Deadpans)But I can imagine them going, "Oh, be quiet!" Mel B always laughs about how we'll be doing "Wannabe" and [Mel B's daughter] Phoenix will go "Mommy, you're embarrassing me! Stop it!" Haha!

LIME: A popumentary titled Raw Spice was shown recently in the UK, featuring never-seen-before footage of the band before you got famous. Did any memories return to haunt you?

Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Ooooh yes! I was on the phone with Mel B and we were both watching it. We were just cringing and laughing! It really brought back great memories. We were so ambitious then.We weren't the best dancers and singers. We just wanted to make it, and it really showed how much we wanted it to work! There were clips of Mel B and I eating pizza on a Friday night - we both laughed when we saw that.

LIME: You lot were the original girl-power icons. Do you feel over-shadowed by the new crop of laydees in charge these days such as Destiny's Child?

Emma: I think it's fantastic! Although we did scream about girl power, there have always been great girl bands like Salt N Pepa and En Vogue around. It's wonderful there are even more now and we girls are taking charge.

LIME: Let's clear up some Spice Girls myths and rumours. Is Scary Mel B really that terrifying?

Emma: Not at all! She can be, though! Haha! She's actually very sensitive. But she's an amazing person, too!

LIME: Does Posh eat?

Emma: (Incredulously) Yes... yesss! How much? Just like every other person!

LIME: Is she all about splashing money on designer brands? Does she wear anything from the flee market?

Emma: Oh, she does! She's a big fan of Topshop, as well. (Winks) She's just clever - she puts it together with designer stuff so you wouldn't know.

LIME: Mel C keeps shooting her mouth off. Is she as tactless when she's with you?

Emma: She's not like that at all! The press has just been horrible. A lot of what she said has been taken out of context. She's a fantastic person - she's loving and caring.

LIME: We hear you gals were disappointed with the lukewarm response to your last album Forever...

Emma: (Matter-of-factly) Not at all. First, we had to move on. If we came back with another release sounding like the first two, people would say we haven't changed! We wanted to work with different producers and try a new sound. We knew we were taking a risk and we didn't know how people were going to receive it. The album has sold four million so it was pretty amazing.

LIME: Finally, is there bad blood between the Spice Girls and Westlife?

Emma: (Chortles) Is there? Mel C's slagged them off? Oh, I wouldn't slag anyone off. Everyone in this industry works very hard and I respect anyone who's doing it. The only thing I would say to Westlife is: Instead of another ballad, can we have a fast song, pleeease?