After it emerged that her husband, Red Bull Formula One boss Christian Horner, was facing allegations of “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards a female employee, Geri Horner has reportedly been “leaning on” fellow Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
Fashion designer Victoria has not been without her own marital woes, as husband David was alleged to have had an affair with his former PA Rebecca Loos in 2003, and the couple faced relentless speculation over the state of their marriage.
And in light of the recent drama surrounding Christian – who married Geri in 2015 and vehemently denies any wrongdoing – insiders say that despite showing up for her ex-bandmate, Victoria is slightly miffed that the efforts she makes in their friendship have not always been reciprocated over the years.
A source says, “Naturally Vic was concerned when she heard the rumours about Christian and offered support to Geri, as she would to anyone in that situation. While they haven’t been the best of pals, they’ve been through so much and have a lot of history. Vic could probably relate to it more, as her marriage to David has been rocked several times with horrible accusations about him.
“But Victoria has begun to feel that Geri wouldn’t have done the same for her and actually hasn’t in the past. Geri doesn’t really make much of an effort with Victoria anymore but Vic feels she may come running again if this all goes wrong for her and her marriage – and she refuses to be used. They’ve had to put a lot of issues behind them to make relations smooth between all the girls.”
Victoria, 49, and Geri, 51 – who is mum to Monty, seven, with Christian and Bluebell, 17, with ex-partner Sacha Gervasi – found fame together in the ’90s as part of the Spice Girls. Along with Mel B, Mel C and Emma Bunton, the girls notoriously had their fair share of ups and downs, and Victoria didn’t hide her fury when Geri bowed out of the band halfway through their world tour in 1998.
She wrote in her 2001 memoir, Learning To Fly, “She was one of my best friends and now she had walked out without a word. What I felt was anger at the selfishness of it all, then betrayal.”
And now, following reports that Victoria allegedly wasted no time reaching out to Geri as her husband’s investigation made headlines, an insider says that it’s left her dwelling on the past.
“It’s no secret that, in the past, they haven’t been the best of friends,” a source says. “Lately Geri has reinvented herself as the first lady of F1, and Vic’s suspected Geri felt superior to her as F1 is more prestigious and elite than football.
“Their friendship has probably been the most strained of the group in recent years. Geri couldn’t understand why Victoria could never get back with the Spice Girls when she could do it. But whenever they’ve been together with the other girls, they’ve put any rivalry aside.”
It has been widely suggested that Geri is “standing by” Christian – who has been the team principal of the Red Bull Formula One team since 2005 – amid the claims made against him. As Closer went to print, the latest update was that a hearing into his purported behaviour towards a female employee had “finished without resolution”, with a spokesperson for Red Bull saying, “It would not be appropriate to comment before the investigation is completed”.
When the news broke, a source said, “Geri has been in floods of tears all weekend while looking after her kids. She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
And now a source says the whole situation has posed a logistical difficulty for Victoria when thinking about her upcoming 50th celebrations.
An insider adds, “Vic also has the dilemma of her birthday coming up, as she doesn’t know if she wants to include Geri in her big celebrations. It may feel awkward to have her at her 50th, especially if she’s still with Christian, as she doesn’t want anything ruining or overshadowing her celebrations. It would be OK if it’s a big party and they can blend in, but if it’s something more intimate it could prove quite awkward.”