In a candid revelation, Melanie Blatt of the iconic girl group All Saints has shared that her bandmate Nicole Appleton never discussed her abortion with her, despite both falling pregnant simultaneously during the peak of their fame. Reflecting on the group's "difficult relationships" in an interview for Good Housekeeping UK's April issue, the 50-year-old singer admitted they lacked the "communication skills" to address the deeply personal matter together.
Formation and Fractures in All Saints
Melanie formed All Saints in 1993 alongside Shaznay Lewis and Simone Rainford, with Simone later being replaced by Nicole and her sister Natalie Appleton. Despite two members being siblings and Melanie and Nicole having been best friends since age 11, the group consistently struggled to maintain harmony. Melanie described their dynamic as "always a difficult relationship between the four of us," expressing regret that they never managed to "get it right," which she believes could have led to more success and laughter.
A Shared Pregnancy and Silent Decision
In 1998, at the height of All Saints' popularity, Melanie discovered she was pregnant with her daughter Lilyella, whom she shares with former partner Stuart Zender, the bassist of Jamiroquai. Concurrently, Nicole found out she was expecting a child with her then-boyfriend, Robbie Williams, after the two bandmates took pregnancy tests together in a hotel room in Canada. Melanie recalled the initial excitement, calling it "the best night ever," but the news quickly leaked, sparking fears that their pregnancies could "ruin the band" and let down their fellow members.
Nicole ultimately decided to have an abortion, a choice that was never openly discussed between her and Melanie. "Nic decided to have an abortion, but we didn’t really discuss it because we didn’t have the communication skills to do so. I don’t think we’ve ever spoken about it, to this day," Melanie revealed. She emphasized that while their relationships were fraught, the band members did not "fake it" or stay together for financial gain, underscoring the authenticity of their struggles.
Robbie Williams' Reflection and Biopic Portrayal
The emotional fallout from Nicole's abortion has been dramatized in Robbie Williams' 2024 biopic, Better Man, which explores his 1990s romance with the All Saints star. In interviews, Robbie has expressed profound remorse, describing Nicole as "a complete angel" and acknowledging his role as "a f****** awful boyfriend" during a period marked by addiction and alcoholism. He recounted that Nicole was "instructed to get rid of our baby" due to pressure from All Saints' record company, a decision that continues to haunt him.
Robbie supported Nicole's decision to write about the abortion in her 2002 autobiography, Together, where she detailed how he initially reacted by placing his hand on her belly and saying, "This baby is saving my life." However, he later admitted that reliving the experience "torn him apart," though he believed it was necessary to "exorcise" the secret for emotional healing. Both have since shed tears over the incident, with Robbie calling Nicole after an early screening of the biopic to express his sorrow.
Legacy of Unspoken Pain
Melanie's revelations shed light on the complex interpersonal dynamics within All Saints, highlighting how fame and external pressures exacerbated their communication breakdowns. The band's story serves as a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices often made in the entertainment industry, where public scrutiny can overshadow private struggles. As Melanie concluded, their inability to discuss such pivotal moments has left a lasting impact, underscoring the importance of open dialogue in navigating difficult relationships.
