A new BBC documentary, 'Girlbands Forever', executive produced by Louis Theroux, is set to air on Saturday at 9.20pm, offering a candid look at the rise and fall of 90s and 00s girl groups. Featuring interviews with stars from All Saints, Eternal, Atomic Kitten, Mis-Teeq and Little Mix, the series promises gossip, scandal and musical nostalgia.
Among the revelations, Kelle Bryan from Eternal claims the band was sent to a countryside facility and put on controlled diets to manage their weight, though the head of EMI UK denies any knowledge. Kerry Katona recounts how a journalist arrived at her mother's house with cocaine to coax a story from her. Melanie Blatt of All Saints says she was advised to abort her pregnancy upon discovery.
The documentary explores the darker side of the music industry, including pressure on band members to maintain a certain image and the impact of pregnancy on careers. It also highlights racial disparities, noting that a slender, blond, white woman could transform a band's fortune. Producer Pete Waterman dismisses 'Girl Power' as 'EMI power', criticising the marketing behind the Spice Girls.
Despite the grim revelations, the show celebrates the joy and empowerment these groups brought to fans, with classic tracks like 'Never Ever', 'Sounds of the Underground' and 'Scandalous'. The series is described as sensitive and wide-ranging, avoiding cynicism in favour of thoughtful reflection on the social changes these artists sparked.
