All Saints member Melanie Blatt has shared a surprising encounter with her music executives upon revealing her pregnancy during her time in the band. In a recent documentary called GirlBands Forever, she disclosed how she and bandmate Nicole Appleton were advised to terminate their pregnancies and concentrate on the group’s success.
During the show, Melanie recounted the apprehensive response she received when she announced her pregnancy, expressing that instead of congratulations, there was a sense of concern and the acknowledgment of impending changes. The documentary also highlighted how their managers warned them that having babies would jeopardize the band’s future.
Melanie ultimately decided to have her baby with her then-partner, Stuart Zender, whereas Nicole, who was expecting with Robbie Williams at the time, did not carry the pregnancy to term. This decision strained their friendship, as they had been close since childhood and had discussed raising children together.
All Saints, comprising Melanie, sisters Nicole and Natalie, and Shaznay Lewis, disbanded in 2001 after releasing two albums. Melanie later revealed that by the end, the group members had developed animosity towards one another.
The BBC documentary, which also features members of other girl bands like Atomic Kitten, Eternal, Sugababes, Mis-teeq, and Little Mix, sheds light on the challenges faced by female artists in the 90s music industry. Kéllé Bryan from Eternal, for instance, shared how concerns about weight were prevalent during that era, mentioning instances where stylists controlled the band’s diet and appearance to fit the “size zero” trend.
Kéllé’s early entry into the music industry at the age of 15 alongside Louise Redknapp led to their inclusion in Eternal, where they teamed up with sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett. The documentary, a follow-up to Boybands Forever, is produced by Louis Theroux and includes interviews with prominent figures in the music scene.
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