Pussycat Dolls star in tears after years of criticism band ‘can’t sing’ amid reunion tour
Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts broke down in tears ahead of the group’s reunion tour, admitting she was “freaking out” over the thought of singing on stage.
The US dancer turned pop band member, 45, posted an emotional video with fans on Wednesday, opening up about the pressure built up from years of criticism that she’s “just a dancer” and the band “can’t sing”.
Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts broke down ahead of the group’s reunion tour. Instagram/@iamashleyroberts
The star is currently on the UK leg of the Pussycat Dolls Forever tour alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Kimberly Wyatt.
She confessed she was going to “pull out” of singing a solo because of the self-doubt she faced.
“I have decided in my solo piece with Pussycat Dolls tour that I am going to sing. I’m just going to get on stage and sing, right?” Roberts said of her decision.
Roberts spoke of being labelled as “just a dancer” which has led to her fears over whether she could pull off a solo in the first place.
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“I just have been freaking out. Can I do this? Can I do this? Can I pull it off the way that I want to pull it off, am I capable? Am I enough? Can I do this?”
“Even talking about it, my throat is clenching up,” Roberts said as she began to cry.
“I was going to pull out, I was going to not do it because I was psyching myself out, saying that it’s gonna sound like shit.
“A lot of the history within this group, this band, was that we can’t sing, that we’re just dancers.”
Kimberly Wyatt, Nicole Scherzinger and Ashley Roberts of The Pussycat Dolls are currently on tour in Europe. Getty Images
Roberts said that dance was her passion, but she wanted to prove to herself that she could sing solo during the tour. She revealed she’s been working with a vocal coach to help her prepare.
“There’s just been so many years of a subconscious belief that I can’t [sing],” she cried.
Since announcing their tour, the band cancelled all but one of their North America shows. Supplied
The star explained she filmed the video at the start of the tour, “and honestly, I really didn’t want to post it”.
But she could look back at how much her confidence has built since the tour kicked off in early September.
Pussycat Dolls band member and lead singer Nicole Scherzinger shared her support for Roberts, commenting: “I’m sooo proud of you chica! You are DOING IT and I love when you sing your song!
“What a beautiful, powerful moment 🥹 Your bravery will make others brave!!! ❤️.”
The Pussycat Dolls transformed from a dance group to mainstream pop group in 2003. Getty Images for MTV
The three stars from noughties girl group are back on stage to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album, PCD.
However, two months since announcing theForever Tour, the current members issued a shock statement revealing they had cancelled all but one of their North American dates.
The group revealed that they had taken an “honest look” at their upcoming North American run and decided that only a scheduled performance at OUTLOUD Music Festival would go ahead.
The group’s UK and European tours are still set to go ahead and have received an “incredible” response. Getty
The Pussycat Dolls were founded in 1995 as a dance group, only to be transformed into a mainstream pop group in 2003.
Their 2005 album PCD skyrocketed the girl group to fame.
Their album peaked at No.1 on the ARIA Urban charts and No.8 on the ARIA Albums charts, while their single Don't Cha hit No.1 and they had top 10 hits with Beep, Buttons and I Don't Need a Man.
The group released their second and final album Doll Domination in 2008 before splitting in 2010.
