'The ride hasn't always been smooth': Atomic Kitten star quits girl group after 26 years

When Atomic Kitten steps out in London's Wembley Arena in December, it will be without Natasha Hamilton.

The 42-year-old singer announced to her 166,000 Instagram followers over the weekend that she was quitting the girl group – which she had been a part of since 1998 – to launch a solo career.

"I've never done anything like this before so bear with me 🙏🏻 but there's a few things I wanted to share and I hope you can stay to listen," Hamilton's lengthy statement began.

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Hamilton said that during her 26-year-long career with "one of the world's most successful girl bands", she had "lived the most incredible life, travelling the world many times over since [1998], bringing so much joy to your [lives], performing songs that catapulted us into the stratosphere at such a young age".

"The ride hasn't always been smooth, but I wouldn't change a single thing," she said.

"I've laughed & cried many a time with the girls, experienced so many surreal moments and been blessed with a career spanning 26 years – it's been incredible and something I will always cherish ❤️‍🔥."

Hamilton said she and Liz McClarnon had performed non-stop since the band reunited in 2012, apart from during the pandemic, and she had struggled to balance the demands of being a "kitten" and trying to break out as a solo artist.

"I gave it a go, and I have to say, it's been tough," she said. "Mainly because I go from being this strong, empowered woman, building a brand new career, to transporting back to a version of myself I really have outgrown."

Hamilton said she had been "living in two worlds" and navigating both simultaneously had been "really difficult".

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She wrote: "26 years, writing so many wonderful chapters, but now the time has come for me to close the book on this one."

Hamilton confirmed her final performance would be on Sunday (Monday AEST), and then she would step down from all Atomic Kitten duties to focus on her solo career.

After thanking her fans, Hamilton wrote: "I will always have the music, and I will continue to sing some of our incredible songs as they have been such a huge part of my life. But I need to focus on what feels right to me right now."

She also publicly shared a message wishing bandmate McClarnon well: "Liz, I wish you all the luck & love in the world with your work ventures and all the amazing things that are still to come in life for you – it's been one hell of a ride!!!"

McClarnon commented: "Love you 🩷".

Atomic Kitten first formed with Hamilton and McClarnon in 1998, with Kerry Katona rounding out the trio. Former Sugababes star Heidi Range was also part of the band briefly, but left before they could release any material.

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In 2001, Katona quit the band after falling pregnant with her first child, and Jenny Frost stepped in to replace her.

Frost also eventually left, and the band went on hiatus in 2006. After a brief reemergence in 2008, they reunited in 2012, with Frost, Katona and now Hamilton eventually departing.

The only original member of Atomic Kitten – best known for their single Whole Again – remaining is McClarnon.

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