The Pussycat Dolls are poised for a major comeback, but this time, the reunion is stirring controversy as it unfolds with only three of the original members. Frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger, 47, is set to lead a massive global tour later this year alongside bandmates Ashley Roberts, 44, and Kimberly Wyatt, 44. However, original members Jessica Sutta, 43, and Carmit Bachar, 51, have been excluded from the plans, despite their involvement in the cancelled 2020 reunion.
Jessica Sutta's Emotional Statement
Jessica Sutta has broken her silence for the first time, sharing a lengthy and heartfelt statement on Instagram. She admitted that she would have "appreciated a heads up" from her former bandmates, revealing the personal challenges she has been facing. In her post, Jessica expressed gratitude for the support from fans but clarified that she was never planning to return under the current circumstances due to ongoing health issues that prevent her from dancing.
"When rumors about the three girls began circulating, I did try to reach out privately for several months," Jessica wrote. "I didn’t receive a response until the night before the announcement, which meant I didn’t have much time to prepare for the reaction that followed online." She explained that she has been grieving the loss of her mother while managing a neurological condition where stress triggers severe physical pain, making the intense online response particularly difficult.
Setting the Record Straight
Jessica addressed the press release that suggested she and Carmit were seeking attention, calling it ironic. "The truth is, I wanted the exact opposite," she stated. "The stress from situations like this causes real physical flare-ups for me. Do you think I want to be verbally attacked by strangers online? I simply would have appreciated a heads-up earlier so I could process everything privately and handle the situation with a bit more grace and dignity."
Despite the hurt, Jessica concluded her post by wishing her former bandmates well, insisting there is no bad blood on her part. "I genuinely wish the girls a successful tour and nothing but the best moving forward. I’m grateful for the experiences and memories I had with PCD, and I’ll always hold that chapter of my life close to my heart," she said. In the caption, she added, "I’ve moved on with my life from Hollyweird and I know what’s most important. A loving family, good health, beautiful friendships, speaking your truth, lots of laughter & internal peace."
Behind the Scenes of the Reunion
Reports have emerged suggesting that the real reason Carmit and Jessica were snubbed from the upcoming reunion tour is because Nicole, Ashley, and Kimberly want to "protect their peace." A source told The Sun that the trio feel Carmit and Jessica are no longer aligned with their world and aim to keep the tour drama-free. "They felt like moving forward as a trio was the best way of making sure the tour goes smoothly," the source said. "They are all on the same page about the reunion and feel like Jessica and Carmit are in a different world from them these days."
The source also claimed that both Carmit and Jessica had indicated in recent years that they had no desire to reunite with the band, making their upset at the announcement a surprise. "It feels like they’re doing anything for attention," the source added. The group’s founder, Robin Antin, is involved in the new reunion tour but has a reduced role compared to the planned 2020 tour, which was cancelled after a legal dispute between Robin and Nicole.
Social Media Fallout
Carmit and Jessica took to social media earlier this month to express their fury at being blindsided by the reunion. Carmit reposted a video from former producer Eddie Serrano, who criticized the three-piece reunion, saying, "We need to see them as a unit, not just as three girls that's not the Pussycat Dolls, that's just the 'Pussy' without the 'Dolls.'" Jessica revealed she only found out about the reunion at the same time as fans, sharing cryptic posts on Instagram Stories that appeared to hit out at her bandmates, including messages about God removing those not meant for you and healing publicly.
Historical Context and Future Plans
The Pussycat Dolls first disbanded in 2010, with Kimberly Wyatt citing creative stagnation. Nicole Scherzinger pursued a solo career, and the group reunited as a five-piece without Melody Thornton in 2019, releasing the single "React." The intended 2020 reunion tour was cancelled due to Covid-19. Speculation about a comeback began when Nicole, Ashley, and Kimberly were spotted together at a London restaurant last month.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated UK and Europe tour will be available for pre-sale from Wednesday, March 18th, with general sales starting on Friday, March 20th. As the drama unfolds, fans are left wondering how this trio reunion will impact the legacy of the iconic girl group.
