No one has won the City Section individual golf championship four times, but Layla Phillips has a chance to be the first.
The 14-year-old freshman from Harbor Teacher Prep carded a five-under-par 67 on Thursday at Balboa Golf Course in Encino, good enough for a six-stroke victory over Macy Lee of El Camino Real.
“She’s been playing since she was 2,” explained her father Kasey, who was there to watch his daughter’s round and could not have been more proud. “Our old house was right off of Maggie Hathaway Golf Course and balls were constantly flying onto our property. It was an annoying thing and my wife was afraid the kids might get hit playing in the backyard. So we complained about it and they offered us free lessons as kind of a peace offering.”
As fate would have it, Layla and her sister Roxanne, one year younger, both took to the sport like fish to water.
“We started taking lessons at Chester Washington Golf Course because they had a better driving range there,” said Layla, who started playing the Toyota Tour Cup series 18 months ago. “We get along great and we practice together everyday. She’s following in my footsteps. We’re opposites. I get really nervous but she just hits the ball and doesn’t care. At times, we have to take advice from each other.”
After bogeying the first hole, Phillips birdied the second, eagled the third and birdied the fourth to vault to the top of the leaderboard. She maintained at least a two-shot lead the rest of the way. A bogey on No. 6 was followed by two pars and three consecutive birdies that stretched the margin to six.
“I can’t be too mad with my performance today but there’s always room for improvement,” said Phillips, who got to six-under before bogeying 18 and who finished two strokes off the City finals record of 65 set last year by Palisades senior Anna Song, now a freshman at Stanford. “I’ve only played this course twice before and I’d never played the back nine.”
Phillips tries to get a round in once a week and plays a two-day tournament every month. She shot six-under (equaling her personal best) to win a Southern California PGA Junior Tour championship in Palm Springs in December. She has won around 50 SCPGA Junior events since she was 10. In March, Roxanne won the L.A. City Junior championship by 15 shots on the same course when she was only 12.
“School lets out at 3:30 so I’m practicing from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Los Verdes [in Palos Verdes] or Victoria [in Carson],” said Phillips, who finished in the top 10 at the Junior World Golf Championship last year in San Diego.
Phillips longs to play college golf (maybe at USC, which is only a 30-minute drive from where she lives in Harbor City). When told she could potentially be the first four-time City champion, she said: Yeah, it’s a possibility. My best competition in City might be my sister. She’s beaten me a couple of times already.”
She will also have to contend with fellow ninth grader Lauren Song (Anna’s sister) who shot a 75 to finish alone in third Thursday to help Palisades (+55) win its fifth straight team title, one shy of the City record accomplished twice by Granada Hills. The Highlanders finished second by 64 shots Thursday but still advanced to next week’s SoCal Regionals.
SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS First Round
DIVISION 2 Woodbridge 13, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 5 Orange Lutheran 13, Great Oak 5 Redondo Union 10, Santa Margarita 6 San Juan Hills 13, Diamond Bar 5 Aliso Niguel 10, Newport Harbor 8 Chadwick 14, Laguna Beach 4 Tesoro 13, Huntington Beach 5 Calabasas 15, Temecula Valley 3 Crean Lutheran 15, Los Osos 3 Peninsula at Bonita Marlborough 10, South Pasadena 8 San Marino 14, Crescenta Valley 4 Crossroads 16, Claremont 2 Westlake 13, Yorba Linda 5 Troy 10, Oak Park 8 Harvard-Westlake 15, Northwood 3
DIVISION 3 Anaheim Canyon, bye Santa Monica 12, Patriot 6 Whitney 15, Arlington 3 Cate 13, Dos Pueblos 5 Temple City 13, Buckley 5 San Clemente 10, Cypress 8 Eastvale Roosevelt 11, Riverside King 7 El Toro at Los Alamitos Brentwood 16, Liberty 2 West Ranch 10, CAMS 8 Campbell Hall 17, Yucaipa 1 Capistrano Valley 9, Ayala 9 (CV wins on games 75-68) Flintridge Prep 10, Long Beach Poly 8 Arcadia 11, Sunny Hills 7 Corona Santiago 13, Redlands 5 Palm Desert, bye
DIVISION 4 Sierra Canyon 12, Quartz Hill 6 Esperanza 12, Fullerton 6 Pasadena Poly 11, Mission Viejo 7 Placentia Valencia 11, Camarillo 7 Rancho Cucamonga 10, Carpinteria 8 Dana Hills 10, Fairmont Prep 8 San Dimas 10, Irvine 8 Oaks Christian 11, La Serna 7 Keppel 9, San Marcos 9 (Keppel wins on games 79-74) Murrieta Mesa 14, Silverado 4 Torrance 11, Orange County Pacifica Christian 7 Simi Valley 10, Alta Loma 8 Geffen Academy 11, Mayfield 7 Agoura 10, West Torrance 8 St. Margaret’s 12, Warren 6 Marymount 16, Westminster La Quinta 2
DIVISION 5 Thacher, bye Valencia 11, Oxford Academy 7 Milken Community 10, Louisville 8 Riverside North 13, Valley View 5 Burbank 16, Long Beach Wilson 2 Millikan 14, Oak Hills 4 Maranatha 14, Rowland 4 Golden Valley 15, Chaparral 3 Chino Hills 10, Webb 8 Lakewood St. Joseph 13, Burbank Burroughs 5 Santa Barbara 13, Laguna Blanca 5 Beverly Hills 10, Citrus Valley 8 Santa Fe 11, Serrano 7 Cerritos 12, Pasadena Marshall 6 Bishop Montgomery 13, Xavier Prep 5 Paloma Valley 9, La Palma Kennedy 9 (PV wins on games 87-75)
DIVISION 6 Woodcrest Christian 10, La Habra 8 Flintridge Sacred Heart 15, Lancaster 3 Garden Grove 10, Mayfair 8 Ontario Christian 10, Estancia 8 Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 9, Western Christian 9 (PC wins on games 70-66) Villa Park 10, Corona 8 Vista del Lago 11, San Bernardino 7 Linfield Christian 10, La Quinta 8 San Jacinto 12, Riverside Notre Dame 6 Village Christian 16, Indio 2 Downey 11, Summit 7 Hillcrest 10, Western 8 Montclair 14, Hesperia 4 El Modena 14, Hacienda Heights Wilson 4 Heritage 13, Chino 5 Saugus 14, La Mirada 4
DIVISION 7 Temescal Canyon 11, Los Altos 7 Los Amigos 9, Rosemead 9 (Los Amigos wins on games 79-78) El Rancho 10, La Sierra 8 Malibu 16, Twentynine Palms 2 South Hills 13, Azusa 5 Laguna Hills 17, Orange Vista 1 Ventura 12, Savanna 6 Apple Valley 10, Chaffey 8 Norwalk 9, Canoga Park AGBU 9 (Norwalk wins on games 70-66) La Salle 13, Coachella Valley 5 Ramona 12, Granite Hills 6 Segerstrom 11, San Gabriel 7 Bolsa Grande 12, Westminster 6 Oakwood 17, Miller 1 Northview 12, Indian Springs 6 Arroyo 17, Highland 1
DIVISION 8 Alhambra, bye Bishop Diego 14, YULA 4 Rim of the World 10, Foothill Tech 8 Nogales 13, Paramount 5 Tahquitz 13, Grand Terrace 5 Costa Mesa 12, Knight 6 Duarte 10, Workman 8 Whittier 11, de Toledo 7 St. Bonaventure 12, Edgewood 6 Oxnard 10, Channel Islands 8 Bellflower 10, Rancho Alamitos 8 Arroyo Valley 10, Moreno Valley 8 Canyon Springs 12, Cathedral City 6 Garden Grove Santiago 14, Carter 4 Hueneme 14, Banning 4 Academy for Academic Excellence 14, La Puente 4
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE (Matches at 3 p.m. unless noted) First Round
DIVISION 1 Sage Hill at Corona del Mar JSerra at Mater Dei Mira Costa at Palos Verdes Fountain Valley at Portola
Second Round
DIVISION 2 Orange Lutheran at Woodbridge San Juan Hills at Redondo Union Chadwick at Aliso Niguel Calabasas at Tesoro Crean Lutheran vs. Bonita / Peninsula San Marino at Marlborough Westlake at Crossroads Harvard-Westlake at Troy
DIVISION 3 Santa Monica at Anaheim Canyon Whitney at Cate Temple City at San Clemente Roosevelt vs. El Toro / Los Alamitos Brentwood at West Ranch Campbell Hall at Capistrano Valley Flintridge Prep at Arcadia Corona Santiago at Palm Desert
DIVISION 4 Esperanza at Sierra Canyon Pasadena Poly at Placentia Valencia Rancho Cucamonga at Dana Hills San Dimas at Oaks Christian Keppel at Murrieta Mesa Simi Valley at Torrance Agoura at Geffen Academy Marymount at St. Margaret’s
DIVISION 5 Valencia at Thacher Milken at Riverside North Millikan at Burbank Maranatha at Golden Valley Lakewood St. Joseph at Chino Hills Santa Barbara at Beverly Hills Santa Fe at Cerritos Bishop Montgomery at Paloma Valley
DIVISION 6 Woodcrest Christian at Flintridge Sacred Heart Ontario Christian at Garden Grove Santa Monica Pacifica Christian at Villa Park Linfield Christian at Vista del Lago San Jacinto at Village Christian Hillcrest at Downey El Modena at Montclair Heritage at Saugus
DIVISION 7 Temescal Canyon at Los Amigos Malibu at El Rancho Laguna Hills at South Hills Apple Valley at Ventura Norwalk at La Salle Ramona at Segerstrom Bolsa Grande at Oakwood Arroyo at Northview
DIVISION 8 Bishop Diego at Alhambra Rim of the World at Nogales Tahquitz at Costa Mesa Whittier at Duarte St. Bonaventure at Oxnard Bellflower at Arroyo Valley Garden Grove Santiago at Canyon Springs Academy of Academic Excellence at Hueneme
Note: Quarterfinals (Divisions 2-8) Nov. 10; Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 12; Finals (Divisions 1-4) Nov. 14 at University of Redlands; Finals (Divisions 5-8) Nov. 14 at The Claremont Club.
Nov. 3 (UPI) — Two young girls were in intensive care at a hospital after they were thrown from a Ferris wheel at a festival near Baton Rouge, La.
The girls, both under 13 years old, around noon Saturday were ejected from the ride’s basket while it was rotating and they fell 20 feet onto a steel platform in New Roads, which is part of Pointe Coupee Parish, about 40 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. A third girl clung to the basket and was rescued.
WAFB-TV reported one girl has a possible brain bleed and the other has broken bones. They were taken to the Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, NBC News reported.
Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux told NBC News that the girls were sitting in the basket when it tipped over.
“As it was going around, it was just, like, stuck at an angle and they flipped out of it,” Ronald Brasseaux, who witnessed the incident, told WAFB-TV.
He said he felt unsafe riding the same ferris wheel the previous day.
“They need to take this thing down,” he told the TV station.
Brasseaux said he believes the basket’s hinges might have gotten stuck.
The ride didn’t have any restraints.
“I feel like it should be seatbelts on there, because, mind you, it’s just a gate on there, like somebody can easily fall out, a child can easily just open the gate and then step out,” witness Madison Fields told WBRZ-TV.
Another visitor, Eddie Jones, told WAFB: “We were in line to buy tickets to the Ferris wheel, and I heard a girl scream, and I looked over, and the Ferris wheel car was kicked over. I don’t know how it got in that position, but it was stuck. Yeah, I’ll probably never get on another Ferris wheel.”
The ride and another one nearby were closed to the public amid an investigation.
The state’s fire marshal’s office is required to perform safety checks on rides and attractions.
The Ferris wheel is operated by Crescent City Amusements, based in Slidell, La.
In 2023, a ride operated by the company, the Ring of Fire, stranded riders upside-down for more than three hours in northeastern Wisconsin. An investigation found a lighting transformer lodged into the track.
The Ferris wheel was part of the annual Harvest Festival, which supports the local agriculture-based community,” according to its website. It ran from Friday through Sunday on False River.
The Ferris wheel is named after its inventor, civil engineer George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., who designed the ride for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
DIVISION I #16 Venice at #1 Jefferson #9 Roosevelt at #8 Carson #12 Granada Hills Kennedy at #5 Franklin #13 Sylmar at #4 Legacy #14 GALA at #3 Birmingham #11 El Camino Real at #6 King/Drew #10 Cleveland at #7 Garfield #15 Santee at #2 Bell
DIVISION II #16 Dorsey at #1 Sun Valley Magnet #9 South East at #8 Bernstein #12 Angelou at #5 Sotomayor #13 Mendez at #4 Stern #14 Fremont at #3 San Fernando #11 Huntington Park at #6 Lincoln #10 North Hollywood at #7 Sherman Oaks CES #15 Foshay at #2 Crenshaw
DIVISION III #16 Hollywood at #1 South Gate #9 Van Nuys at #8 Taft #12 Monroe at #5 Orthopaedic #13 Westchester at #4 New Designs University Park #14 WISH Academy at #3 Hamilton #11 Roybal at #6 Arleta #10 Port of at #7 Chatsworth #15 Marquez at #2 Hawkins
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION #8 Verdugo Hills at #1 San Pedro #5 Wilmington Banning at #4 Marshall #6 Wilson at #3 Panorama #7 Narbonne at #2 Eagle Rock
Note: Quarterfinals (Divisions I-III) Nov. 7 at higher seeds; Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 12 at higher seeds; Finals (all divisions) Sat., Nov. 15 at Garfield High.
DIVISION 2 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Woodbridge Great Oak at Orange Lutheran Redondo Union at Santa Margarita Diamond Bar at San Juan Hills Newport Harbor at Aliso Niguel Laguna Beach at Chadwick Huntington Beach at Tesoro Temecula Valley at Calabasas Los Osos at Crean Lutheran Peninsula at Bonita Marlborough at South Pasadena Crescenta Valley at San Marino Claremont at Crossroads Yorba Linda at Westlake Troy at Oak Park Northwood at Harvard-Westlak
DIVISION 3 Anaheim Canyon, bye Patriot at Santa Monica Arlington at Whitney Dos Pueblos at Cate Buckley at Temple City San Clemente at Cypress Riverside King at Eastvale Roosevelt El Toro at Los Alamitos Liberty at Brentwood West Ranch at CAMS Yucaipa at Campbell Hall Capistrano Valley at Ayala Long Beach Poly at Flintridge Prep Arcadia at Sunny Hills Redlands at Corona Santiago Palm Desert, bye
DIVISION 4 Quartz Hill at Sierra Canyon Fullerton at Esperanza Mission Viejo at Pasadena Poly Camarillo at Placentia Valencia Carpinteria at Rancho Cucamonga Fairmont Prep at Dana Hills Irvine at San Dimas La Serna at Oaks Christian San Marcos at Keppel Silverado at Murrieta Mesa Torrance at Orange County Pacifica Christian Simi Valley at Alta Loma Geffen Academy at Mayfield West Torrance at Agoura St. Margaret’s at Warren Westminster La Quinta at Marymount
DIVISION 5 Thacher, bye Oxford Academy at Valencia Milken Community at Louisville Riverside North at Valley View Long Beach Wilson at Burbank Oak Hills at Millikan Rowland at Maranatha Golden Valley at Chaparral Webb at Chino Hills Burbank Burroughs at Lakewood St. Joseph Laguna Blanca at Santa Barbara Beverly Hills at Citrus Valley Santa Fe at Serrano Cerritos at Pasadena Marshall Xavier Prep at Bishop Montgomery La Palma Kennedy at Paloma Valley
DIVISION 6 La Habra at Woodcrest Christian Flintridge Sacred Heart at Lancaster Garden Grove at Mayfair Estancia at Ontario Christian Santa Monica Pacifica Christian at Western Christian Villa Park at Corona Vista del Lago at San Bernardino Linfield Christian at La Quinta Riverside Notre Dame at San Jacinto Indio at Village Christian Downey at Summit Western at Hillcrest Hesperia at Montclair Hacienda Heights Wilson at El Modena Chino at Heritage La Mirada at Saugus
DIVISION 7 Los Altos at Temescal Canyon Los Amigos at Rosemead El Rancho at La Sierra Twentynine Palms at Malibu Azusa at South Hills Orange Vista at Laguna Hills Ventura at Savanna Chaffey at Apple Valley Canoga Park AGBU at Norwalk La Salle at Coachella Valley Granite Hills at Ramona Segerstrom at San Gabriel Westminster at Bolsa Grande Miller at Oakwood Indian Springs at Northview Highland at Arroyo
DIVISION 8 Alhambra, bye Bishop Diego at YULA Foothill Tech at Rim of the World Paramount at Nogales Grand Terrace at Tahquitz Costa Mesa at Knight Workman at Duarte de Toledo at Whittier Edgewood at St. Bonaventure Oxnard at Channel Islands Rancho Alamitos at Bellflower Arroyo Valley at Moreno Valley Cathedral City at Canyon Springs Carter at Garden Grove Santiago Hueneme at Banning La Puente at Academy for Academic Excellence
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
First Round
DIVISION 1 Sage Hill at Corona del Mar JSerra at Mater Dei Mira Costa at Palos Verdes Fountain Valley at Portola
Note: Second Round (Divisions 2-8) Nov. 7; Quarterfinals (Divisions 2-8) Nov. 10; Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 12; Finals (Divisions 1-4) Nov. 14 at University of Redlands; Finals (Divisions 5-8) Nov. 14 at The Claremont Club.
Marymount girls volleyball team is peaking at the right time — and that could mean trouble for opponents.
The Sailors had everything working for them in a 25-13, 25-17, 25-15 sweep of visiting Mira Costa in the Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals on Tuesday night, showing no signs of rust after a first-round bye in the 12-team bracket.
“We couldn’t have been more prepared,” Washington-bound senior hitter Sammy Destler said. “Our energy got us to the finish line. We were on fire. That’s the best we’ve played all season.”
Destler entered the match two kills shy of 1,000 for her career and it didn’t take long for her to reach the milestone, achieving it on a strike to the right side that gave Marymount a 12-6 lead in the first set.
“I had no clue until they announced it, but it feels good,” said Destler, one of seven Sailors who finished with at least five kills. “We’re very familiar with them, they have Audrey [Flanagan] and Simone [Roslon] and they’re always tough but tonight was about everything we did on our side.”
The fifth-seeded Mustangs (24-10), who shared the Bay League crown with No. 2 Redondo Union despite dropping their first league match since 2019, had pushed Marymount to five sets in a nonleague match in September, but this time they could not handle the Sailors’ balanced attack.
Marymount’s serving kept Mira Costa out of system all match. In the first set alone the Sailors served seven aces, including three in a row by Southern Methodist-bound middle blocker Elle Vandeweghe, that put her team up 20-9. She and Destler combined for a stuff block on set point.
Destler opened the second set with another ace, then Frankie Jones ended it with a kill. Destler and Makenna Barnes, a Northwestern commit, each had eight kills apiece while Vandeweghe and the Brown-bound Jones each added six.
Flanagan, a Wisconsin commit, paced the Mustangs with eight kills and got a hug afterwards from Destler, one of her best friends.
Marymount’s Makenna Barnes, right, goes on the attack against Mira Costa blockers Liliana Swanson, left, and Milly McGee, center, during Marymount’s victory in the Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals on Tuesday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
“We’ve played so many more matches than other teams,” Marymount coach Cari Klein said. “I didn’t want it, but I think we needed those extra few days rest because of the intensity of our schedule.”
The fourth-seeded Sailors (37-5) advanced to the semifinals to face top-seeded Sierra Canyon (37-3) on Saturday for the fourth time this season. The Sailors won the first meeting, 21-25, 25-15, 25-12 in the finals of the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas. The Trailblazers rebounded to take a pair of Mission League meetings over a span of eight days.
Klein, who is hoping to pilot the Sailors to their 11th section title in her 28th season, was so locked in to the task at hand Tuesday that she did not look at the CIF website to see if her team had won the coin flip for the next round: “Please say it’s here!”
Her wish was not granted, as Marymount will have to travel to Chatsworth, where it dropped a five-set thriller on Sept. 29, but Destler is confident they can win on any court.
“If we play like we this, there’s no stopping us,” she said.
FOR years, Victoria Beckham’s been branded the biggest spoilsport when it comes to a potential Spice Girls reunion – thanks to her refusal to ever sing on stage again.
Recent reports suggest Geri Horner is the one dragging her feet when it comes to arranging a Spice Girls reunionCredit: GettyAn insider source suggests Geri is once again vying to be top dogCredit: GettyThe Spice Girls are in discussion for plans to mark their 30th anniversaryCredit: Instagram
Yes, all evidence suggests that Geri’s doing what she’s always done behind the scenes – vying to be top dog. And if she doesn’t get her way, she’ll simply do what she did before: quit.
Speaking exclusively to the Sun, an insider tells us that whispers of Geri’s obstinance behind closed doors are nothing new.
We’re told: “Although it’s always Victoria who gets the reputation for being a diva, it’s actually Geri.
“There’s always been that slight distance between her and the rest of them as she did leave them high and dry at the biggest point of their career during that world tour in 1998 [when she shocked the world and left the band at the height of their fame and fortune].
“Obviously that was years and years ago and they’ve all moved on but the four others do have a slightly different bond. But Geri is quite selfish and will always put herself first to get what she wants and she likes to be the one in control making all the decisions.”
Earlier this week, The Sun revealed that Geri, Victoria and their fellow bandmates Emma Bunton, Mel B and Mel C have been involved in discussions ahead of the 30th anniversary of the release of their debut single Wannage next year.
According to sources: “A variety of projects are being talked about to mark the occasion, including a documentary and a possible tour or performance by the group.”
There’s also apparently hope of a biopic being made for Netflix by Orchid Pictures, which is headed by The Crown producer Suzanne Mackie.
But time is closing in on making a final decision – and Geri’s reportedly gone quiet, with insiders reporting she’s been “dragging her heels” for almost a year now.
Our source says Geri’s reluctance stems from a number of factors: one, she’s always been in the driving seat when it comes to the Spice Girls – ever since they first got put together in 1994.
Long-time fans might remember that Geri often positioned herself as the creative force behind the band, and was known to butt heads with their management.
She even infamously led the band’s coup against their then-manager Simon Fuller in 1997, firing him because he was too controlling.
They initially managed themselves in the aftermath – with Geri largely taking the reins – before subsequently taking on a different team to steer them forwards.
As a result, Geri has long been considered to be the de facto leader – a crown she’s worn proudly. The fact that she’s not the instigator of these latest plans is therefore apparently causing discomfort for Ginger Spice.
Geri long considered herself the group’s de facto leaderCredit: GettyGinger Spice led the band’s coup against manager Simon FullerCredit: GettyHer position of top dog has been put under pressure amid F1 husband Christian Horner’s scandalCredit: AFP
Racing legend Christian served as head of Red Bull for 20 years, but was let go as team principal in July following a slump in the team’s performance and amid reports of internal power struggles.
But the elephant in the room at his leaving-do was the fact that – just 12 months earlier – he’d been embroiled in a text scandal.
A female employee accused him of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour”, before an independent investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.
In the aftermath, Christian denied all allegations – and Geri loyally stood by him. But the controversy inevitably played a part in Christian’s Red Bull exit, and – according to sources – it did a number on Geri, who felt understandably humiliated.
Granted, Christian’s rumoured £80million payout will have softened the blow, but being married to Christian has always carried a certain sense of pride and prestige for Geri.
Geri’s still embarrassed by all the Christian allegations, and feels she’s lost some of the power she had
Insider
So, seeing his name dragged through the mud will have undoubtedly done a number on her.
Our insider reveals: “Geri’s still embarrassed by all the Christian allegations, and feels she’s lost some of the power she had.
“She now wants to be the one who plans all the 30th anniversary celebrations.”
Cheeky spice
On the face of it, Geri’s undoubtedly transformed before our eyes over the past 30 years.
Back in 1994, she assumed the highest rank among her new bandmates thanks to her ballsy attitude and outspoken antics – and that was something she dialled up when they hit it big.
Taking the title Ginger Spice with pride thanks to her box-dyed, flaming red hair, Geri earned a name for herself for being cheeky, headstrong, and loudly screaming “girl power!” to anyone who would listen.
The origins of that famous Spice Girls pop feminist slogan are debatable, but Geri’s certainly repeated it enough over the past three decades to claim a majority share in its inception.
The band took the lead from Geri when it came to their ballsy attitude and outspoken anticsCredit: Getty – ContributorGeri claimed not to have pinched Prince Charles’s bum… but have patted itCredit: Getty Images – GettyGeri seemed to drop her wild persona after she married Christian HornerCredit: Instagram/gerihalliwellhorner
Back then, part of her calling card was being messy, cheeky and pushing boundaries, like the time she kissed Prince Charles on the cheek – and, rumour has it, pinched his bum at the premiere of The Spice Girls’ movie Spiceworld in 1997.
She later clarified: “I didn’t pinch Prince Charles’ bum, as reported. I patted it.”
Meanwhile, her legendary Union Jack dress – which she boasted she’d made herself using a tea towel – became a lasting emblem of the band as a whole. As a result, Geri promulgated herself as the group’s mascot.
When she left the Spice Girls in May 1998 – saying at the time it was due to “differences between us” – she inevitably sirened the beginning of the end for the band.
The girls continued as a foursome for another album, but while Geri’s solo career soared, they couldn’t quite match their previous success – which, one can only assume, will have fed her feelings of importance all the more.
Over the years, feelings of bad blood softened – even as we learnt more and more about the in-fighting that had plagued the band, as it emerged that Geri and Mel B had often come to blows.
5 February, 2024 – The bombshell allegations from a female colleague about “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” drop
Red Bull chief exec Oliver Mitzlaff takes seriously and Horner strongly denies accusations.
9 February, 2024 Horner meets lawyer
A lawyer in charge of the investigation begins digging into the case on behalf of Red Bull GmbH in a nine-hour meeting at a secret location.
15 February, 2024 – Horner’s first public appearance since allegations
Horner says the team have been “tremendously supportive”. Verstappen says his relationship with Horner remains “very good”.
28 February, 2024 – Horner cleared of all charges
A statement from Red Bull GmbH read: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed The complainant has a right of appeal.”
29 February, 2024 – WhatsApps leaked
Just 24 hours after he was cleared, WhatsApp texts and pictures were leaked from an anonymous source – to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, the sport’s nine other team principals and members of the media.
2 March, 2024 – Horner and Halliwell hand in hand
The former Spice Girls singer puts on a united front with her husband as Verstappen soared to victory in the opener in Bahrain.
Horner declared he is “absolutely confident” he will stay on as Red Bull boss for the remainder of the season, while Red Bull’s majority shareholder, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, also joined the duo on the team’s terrace in a public show of support for Horner.
3 March, 2024 – Jos Verstappen takes aim
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, claimed the team is “in danger of being torn apart” if Christian Horner remains in his role.
Verstappen Snr, also said the team would “explode” if Horner remained in his position, and denied being the source of the leak.
8 August, 2024 – Horner cleared for second time as appeal dismissed
During the F1 summer break, the appeal from a female colleague alleging “inappropriate behaviour” from Horner is dismissed, clearing him for a second time.
The complainant was suspended on full pay before launching an appeal but, on 8 August, her appeal was thrown out following another investigation by a different independent KC – with Red Bull adding that their “internal process has concluded.”
9 July, 2025 – Horner sacked.
In 2007, they reformed as a fivesome for the first time for their Return of the Spice Girls world tour, and Geri proudly flew the flag again – literally – in a Union Jack inspired outfit.
She may have mellowed slightly, but she still upheld that cheeky Ginger Spice persona that had initially made her famous.
A triumphant performance at the Olympics Closing Ceremony in 2012 reunited them again – followed by a photocall at the London premiere for the Spice Girls’ inspired West End musical, Viva Forever!
At the latter, Geri stood between her bandmates in a massive blue ballgown, again reminding us who was queen bee.
Who’s Posh?
But – over time – as Victoria’s fashion career skyrocketed, it became more and more difficult to maintain the Spice Girls as a five-piece.
Crucially, Victoria’s ambivalence to the band wasn’t sparked by any need for control; it was simply her coming to the inevitable conclusion that her talents lay elsewhere, and she gave them her blessing to continue regardless.
Ginger Spice now exclusively wears all-white and enjoys a country lifeCredit: Instagram/gerihalliwellhornerThe couple wed in 2015Credit: Doug Seeburg – The SunWhile Geri may appear to have softened on the outside, she’s just as headstrong as ever
In the meantime, Geri’s metamorphosis continued. Over time – and especially after meeting Christian in 2013 – she dropped the cheeky, outspoken, ballsy act, and started becoming….well, just a little Posh.
After she and Christian married in 2015, they settled in a country mansion in Oxfordshire, welcomed their son Monty, now eight (Geri’s also mum to Bluebell, 19, from a previous relationship), and duly became lord and lady of the manor.
In the process, Geri’s taken to wearing an all-white wardrobe, speaking in clipped vowels, and blushing at the memory of some of her more brassy stunts of the past.
When she and Mel B, Mel C and Emma reunited as a foursome for the Spice Girls’ second reunion tour in 2019, she directly addressed her twentysomething behaviour, saying she’d been a “brat” for leaving the band in 1998.
But – according to our source – while Geri may have softened on the outside, and now prefers cooking with her Aga and tending to her farm animals than causing a scene at showbiz events, she’s still just as headstrong as ever.
She may not be about to pinch a monarch’s bum anytime soon, but she refuses to be sidelined.
The others feel if Victoria is onboard, then they need to get it all sorted, and fear that Geri dragging her heels could cause Victoria to change her mind
Insider
So, now that she’s feeling on shaky ground as the group’s 30th anniversary approaches, we’re told she’s keeping her distance until they reassure her, in no uncertain terms, that she’s still de facto leader.
To that end, our insider says Geri kept a wide berth from the others when all five girls attended the premiere for Victoria’s new Netflix docuseries Victoria Beckham earlier this month.
Our source tells us: “Even at Victoria’s premiere, she kind of stayed away with Christian and his daughter, while Emma and Mel C mingled with everyone. Geri didn’t pose on the carpet with them.
“When The Spice Girls first got together, it was Geri and Mel B making most of the decisions because they were the loudest, but they’ve all found their voices and the others feel if Victoria is onboard, then they need to get it all sorted, and fear that Geri dragging her heels could cause Victoria to change her mind.
“But Geri likes to feel needed so will want them to be flattering her and giving her more control so that she agrees.”
Geri may be waiting to hear she’d still de facto leader before to agrees to a reunionCredit: GettyThe girls recently reunited at Victoria’s birthday partyCredit: InstagramTime will tell if Geri decides to make the 30th anniversary as special as it could beCredit: Rex
As rumours of in-fighting spread earlier this week, Geri took to Instagram, upholding her reinvention as the true Posh Spice by announcing she’d be appearing at The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Christmas Concert in December.
She told fans she was “looking forward” to it – while making no mention of the big music milestone anniversary on the horizon.
It seems the issue comes down to power: who wants it absolutely, and who’s willing to share.
Geri may have long trailblazed the world’s need for girl power, but she might just have been talking about one specific girl only: herself.
DIVISION I #1 LA Marshall, bye #9 Cleveland at #8 Wilmington Banning #12 LACES at #5 GALA #4 Eagle Rock, bye #3 North Hollywood, bye #11 SOCES at #6 Van Nuys #10 Taft at #7 San Pedro #2 Chatsworth, bye
DIVISION II #16 Fairfax at #1 Granada Hills Kennedy #9 LA University at #8 New West #12 Sylmar at #5 Franklin #13 Verdugo Hills at #3 Bell #14 LA Wilson at #3 Gardena #11 Jefferson at #6 Downtown Magnet #10 Legacy at #7 Grant #15 Sun Valley Poly at #2 Carson
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
Semifinals
OPEN DIVISION #4 El Camino Real at #1 Palisades #3 Venice at #2 Granada Hills
Note: Division I-II Quarterfinals Oct. 29 at higher seeds; Open Division Finals Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. at Balboa Sports Center; Division I-II Semifinals Nov. 3 at higher seeds; Division II Finals Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at Balboa Sports Center; Division I Finals Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. at Balboa Sports Center
DIVISION I #16 LA Roosevelt #1 LA University #9 Larchmont Charter at #8 LACES #12 Reseda at #5 Sherman Oaks CES #13 Sylmar at #4 LA Marshall #14 Triumph Charter at #3 Granada Hills Kennedy #11 San Pedro at #6 Arleta #10 South Gate at #7 Port of LA #15 Vaughn at #2 Grant
DIVISION II #16 Harbor Teacher at #1 East Valley #9 Central City Value at #8 GALA #12 San Fernando at #5 North Hollywood #13 Lincoln at #4 Carson #14 Bravo at #3 Bernstein #11 Canoga Park at #6 Maywood CES #10 King/Drew at #7 University Prep Value #15 Los Angeles at #2 Mendez
DIVISION III #17 Orthopaedic at #16 Wilmington Banning #20 Smidt Tech at #13 Math & Science College Prep #19 Community Charter at #14 Gertz-Ressler #18 Diego Rivera at #15 Narbonne
DIVISION IV #17 Stern at #16 Valley Oaks CES #20 Hawkins at #13 Fairfax #19 Rancho Dominguez at #14 Animo Bunche #18 Alliance Bloomfield at #15 Lakeview Charter
DIVISION V #17 WISH Academy at #16 Discovery #24 Magnolia Science Magnet #9 Santee #21 Roybal #12 Gardena #20 Fremont at #13 Magnolia Science Academy #19 Hollywood at #14 Elizabeth #22 LA Jordan at #11 Sotomayor #23 Annenberg at #10 Dorsey #18 Monroe at #15 Downtown Magnets
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION #8 Chatsworth at #1 Venice #5 El Camino Real at #4 Cleveland #6 Taft at #3 Eagle Rock #7 Granada Hills vs. #2 Palisades, 7 p.m. at Brentwood
Note: Second Round Divisions III-V Oct. 29 at higher seeds; QuarterfinalsDivisions I-II Oct. 30 at higher seeds; Quarterfinals Divisions III-V Nov. 3 at higher seeds; Semifinals Open-Division I Nov. 4 at higher seeds; Semifinals Divisions II-V Nov. 5 at higher seeds; Finals (all divisions) Nov. 7-8
