Remnants of Girl Groups

I came across a great book title while searching Amazon the other day (yes, that's what library employees do all day). It's called "Let's Talk About Pep," by former Salt n' Pepa member Sandy Denton. Which got me to thinking...Besides Beyonce, what happens to the stars of girl music groups after they break up? For Sandy, it was an appearance on VH1's The Surreal Life, where washed-up celebrities go to give up their last remaining piece of dignity. Here are a few updates that I'm sure will enlighten you:

Sporty Spice - Melanie Chisholm, known as "Melanie C," has released four solo albums in the last decade and has established her own record company, Red Girl Records. In February, she was the last of the Spice Girls to have a baby. Though Melanie's singles have only taken off in the UK, she has been the most successful artist of the five Spices. A lot of staying power...like frankincense.

T-Boz - Tionne Watkins, formerly of TLC, can currently be seen in NBC's Celebrity Apprentice and is dating 49ers linebacker Takeo Spikes. Since her group dissolved, she has only recorded two solo singles, which appeared on the soundtracks of "Fled" and "Rugrats In Paris." T-Boz has put a lot of her energy into running a children's boutique called Chase's Closet (which has one of the most repulsive myspace pages I've ever seen). But heads up - there is talk of a TLC movie and a solo album that has been in the works for two years.

Susanna Hoffs - The hot lead singer of the Bangles (which has reunited since their bad breakup in the 1989) put out a couple solo records in 1991 and 1996 and mustered one forgettable Top 40 Hit. Susanna married film director Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents) in 1993. In the last few years, she's partnered with rocker Matthew Sweet to produce two volumes of classic rock covers. Important note: Susanna's got a Renee Russo thing going on - still gorgeous at fifty years old! I will most certainly lay down on the side of your bed.

And if you're wondering what happened to t.A.T.u., they're still technically together. Though their fake lesbianism is not promoted as much anymore.