All Saints member Melanie Blatt has shared a surprising encounter with her music executives upon revealing her pregnancy while part of the band. The 50-year-old singer recently discussed her experiences in the music industry during the 90s, shedding light on the harsh realities of fame.
In a new documentary titled GirlBands Forever, Melanie recounted the moment she and bandmate Nicole Appleton disclosed their pregnancies to their managers. According to Melanie, they were both advised to terminate their pregnancies and concentrate on the success of All Saints.
During the documentary, Melanie detailed the mixed reactions she received upon announcing her pregnancy, stating that it was not met with congratulations but rather with concern and a sense of impending change.
In a revealing clip from the documentary, Melanie disclosed how their bosses warned them that their pregnancies would jeopardize the band’s future and lead to its demise.
Melanie went on to have her child with her then-partner, Stuart Zender, while Nicole, who was pregnant by her boyfriend at the time, Robbie Williams, did not keep the baby.
The documentary also delves into the strain that Melanie and Nicole’s pregnancies put on their friendship, as they navigated the challenges of motherhood while being part of a successful girl band.
The group All Saints, comprising Melanie, sisters Nicole and Natalie, and Shaznay Lewis, disbanded in 2001 after releasing two albums. Reflecting on their time together, Melanie confessed that towards the end, the group members had grown to resent each other.
The BBC documentary showcases members from various girl bands, including Atomic Kitten, Eternal, Sugababes, Mis-teeq, and Little Mix. Kéllé Bryan, a singer featured in the documentary, revealed the pressures she faced regarding her weight during her time with the band Eternal.
Kéllé mentioned that concerns about her weight, as well as the band’s weight, were frequently raised by stylists during an era when being a size zero was idealized. She recalled being sent to a rural location where their food intake was strictly monitored, reflecting on the extreme measures taken at the time.
Having signed her first record deal at just 15 years old, Kéllé, along with Louise (Nurding) Redknapp, joined Eternal and later teamed up with sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett.
The documentary, produced for BBC Two, follows the success of Boybands Forever and features interviews with various girl bands from the 90s and beyond, along with insights from industry figures like Clara Amfo, Lucie Cave, MNEK, Pete Tong, Nicki Chapman, Scott Mills, and Tulisa.