(10/19/98)
LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is completing her own reinvention by becoming a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations.
The British singer, who has been shaking off her Sexy Spice image since leaving the all girl band earlier this year, on Monday boarded a plane for New York for a meeting with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Halliwell, 26, is following in the footsteps of stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Luciano Pavarotti who have acted as U.N. goodwill ambassadors.
Media reports say she will travel the world promoting contraception and AIDS awareness, but she declined to comment on her new role to reporters at London's Heathrow Airport.
The appointment is the latest stage in Halliwell's transformation from Ginger Spice, who was famed for her miniscule skirts, deep cleavage and gaudy make-up, to international charity worker.
Halliwell now eschews her Spice Girl outfits in favour of dark suits and a demure tied back hairstyle. She has been campaigning for breast cancer charities in Britain.
The Spice Girls, meanwhile, now down to four, have continued to turn out hit records without Halliwell, who was always reported to have been the power behind the group.