I've read the book and it's obvious Leigh-Anne really was struggling with her identity. She mentions the others had carved a personality and she was trying to find her role within the band.
I think some of the comments are a bit cruel are in here, I don't think Leigh was the most interesting member of the band, but racism definitely did play a part in this. Combine that with the fact she was the weakest vocally (she's still a great singer) is probably why she was least favoured.
But to overlook the race element is ignorant. When you think of what a pivotal role Mel B played in the Spice Girls yet she was the least popular. And that's a fact. In 1998, they released individual VHS Spice World The Movie VHS - Emma made up 38.7% of sales, Melanie C at 20.3%, Geri at 17.3%, Victoria 12.2% & Mel B 11.5%. That's down to race. Mel B was at the front and centre of the Spice Girls.
She doesn't go too much detail about her band members but talks about how the love between the 4 of them was genuine, what a support they were to each other, how nobody looked out for just themselves. If anything, she comes across as incredibly hurt by Jesy's departure.
She talks about a former friend who did not recognise her struggles, closed up on her when brought up the subject or even told her what she was going through in her life was worse. Leigh says she hated that it was a competition, as her own struggles did not negate her friend's but she just wanted her to acknowledge what she was going through. I'm assuming this is Jesy. And if so, that's totally unacceptable. They all supported Jesy through her battles with mental health.
Her husband doesn't come across well, she says he was never physical with anyone else but alludes to him talking to other people while they were in a relationship. She talks about how difficult it was to go through that when her own self worth within the group was so low and he only contributed to that.
She also addresses his colourism comments, saying she found out before they were due to go on stage at V Festival 2016 through a member of her team. She was shocked and addressed it with him. She says he's done a lot of inner work to unlearn these things, addressed a lot of things from his childhood and stopped drinking as much. It seems as though she's put up with a lot from him and I have no idea why she stayed but she seems to truly love him.
If anyone takes the time to read the book, you will see how slowly her confidence was stripped. She was often the only black person in meetings and was gaslit with members of her team 'You're being paid the same!', 'You're loved the same!' and she says this was only said with the best intentions but she slowly started to realise part of the reason she was least favoured. I really felt for her and I feel like some of the posts are a bit unwarranted but everyone is entitled to their opinions.