Ashley Roberts has opened up about the severe health issues she faced during her time with the Pussycat Dolls, including shingles, stomach ulcers, and arthritis. The 43-year-old singer said her body reached 'the point of shutdown' due to the group's gruelling schedule.
In an interview with The Times, Roberts recalled being hospitalised but still asking for a 'quick fix' so she could perform. 'I remember saying, “I need to get on a flight to Germany. I’ve got a show to do. You gotta give me something,”' she said.
Roberts, now a Heart radio presenter, revealed that after leaving the group in 2010, she suffered from eczema, shingles across her face, and a stomach ulcer. An acupuncturist told her, 'If you don’t scream, your body’s gonna scream for you.'
She attributed the health problems to a combination of her own competitive drive and the fear of being replaced. 'There was also this feeling that we could be replaced in some way,' she said, adding that the era lacked discussions about mental health.
The Pussycat Dolls disbanded in 2010 and briefly reunited in 2019, but a planned tour was cancelled in 2022 due to the pandemic and legal disputes.
