Keisha Buchanan was forced out of Sugababes over allegations of bullying, she’s revealed.
The singer was one of the founding members of the Freak Like Me group, and became the final founding member in the band after Siobhan Donaghy and Mutya Buena were replaced by Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah respectively.
However, in 2009 Keisha was ousted from the band ahead of the release of their seventh studio album ‘Sweet 7’, with former Eurovision star Jade Ewen stepping in as a replacement and re-recording vocals for the album.
Speaking to Leigh-Anne Pinnock and fellow singers Alexandra Burke, NAO and Raye on the Little Mix star’s BBC documentary ‘Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power’, Keisha insisted she was “replaced while still being in the band” while opening up on the incident.
“I remember and being sat down and told, ‘This person feels bullied, that one there feels bullied’ and I was like ‘I was giving that one a foot massage legit the day before’,” she explained.
“If I had an opinion it was very much like ‘OK, you’re being a bully’. That was the word.”
Keisha went on to explain the lasting effect of that moment, adding: “That whole situation changed the course of my life. It affected me emotionally, mentally, financially.
“I have confidence issues and just feeling like the whole time I couldn’t have an opinion in the work place.
“It’s taken me years to process and I’m still in therapy.”
The star’s shock confession comes after she, Mutya and Siobhan reunited earlier this month to announce the 20th anniversary edition of their debut album ‘One Touch’.
After dropping the MNEK remix of third single Run For Cover on Tuesday, May 11, the group announced the LP – also featuring Overload, New Year and Soul Sound – is getting a deluxe re-release in October, 2021.
“We are so excited to announce we’re releasing a new version of One Touch to celebrate the 20th anniversary,” tweeted the group. “This includes all the tracks from the original album, as well as unheard tracks from the archive and brand new remixes.”
The 35 track collection features the original 12 track album, along with eight additional B-sides and previously unreleased demo tracks. Meanwhile, a second, 15 track disc includes remixes from Blood Orange, Ed Case and more.
‘One Touch’ 20th anniversary expanded edition, out October 1, is available on 2CD, limited Tri-Colour Vinyl and Gold Vinyl.
