To the surprise of absolutely no one, singer Kimberly Wyatt is leaving The Pussycat Dolls.
After months of speculation of feuding with frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly says she’s severing ties with the burlesque troupe of singing strippers.
Former Pussycat Dolls star Jessica Sutta says she quit the award-winning burlesque troupe because she was left penniless and sleeping on a pal’s sofa after breaking a rib on tour last summer. In a series of interviews this week, Sutta — who was with the “Don’t ‘Cha” hitmakers for 7 years before her injury — describes Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger as a tyrant in designer shoes, who made life Hell for her calvary of bandmates.
In an exclusive interview with the Feb. 7 issue of Life & Style Magazine, Sutta says:
L&S: When did things begin to go wrong?
Jessica: It all started when I was injured on tour [in May 2009]. They decided to send me home, and when I got to LA, I was left to fend for myself. I didn’t have a place to stay because I was on tour. Luckily, a girlfriend let me stay with her. I’m lying there, thinking, wow, I’m an international pop star, and I just left this extravagant life, and here I am sleeping on someone’s couch.
L&S: Were there other reasons you left?
Jessica: Honestly, I felt like it was time to not live in the shadow of Nicole [Scherzinger, the group’s lead singer] anymore. It wasn’t a joyful experience. I wasn’t feeling like I was growing in the situation. As hard as the decision was, it was something I had to do. Breaking my rib is what sent me over the edge.
L&S: What was it like working with Nicole?
Jessica: Nicole is a star, and she wanted to be treated like one. The Pussycat Dolls were Nicole’s world, and everything that Nicole says goes. If you liked a certain top and Nicole liked it too, she would take the top. She’s the star. We had to support her in every way. It was Nicole’s world, and we were just living in it.
Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger has called it quits with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton after two years of dating.
In a joint statement issued Sunday, the 25-year-old racing driver and the pop singer, 31, said they are ending their romance to focus on their careers.
“They have decided to go their separate ways. They want to focus fully on their careers and will remain close friends,” a statement from the couple’s spokesperson confirmed.
Despite rumors of strife, founder and choreographer Robin Antin insists The Pussycat Dolls are still standing — and even replacing a few current members.
Robin — who founded the “Don’t Cha” stars as a burlesque dance troupe in 1995 — refuses to reveal which of The Dolls will be leaving, but says a change of face will be good for the girl band’s signature pop sound.
The Pussycats have their claws out. Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt says lead singer Nicole Scherzinger is no pal of hers. Meow!
According to Kim, she and Nicole get along purely for business purposes.
“I get on well with most of the band but not everyone. Look, at the end of the day it’s a job – we all have our own lives to lead and our own projects going on,” Kimberley said, “I think of Nicole as just a business associate not as a friend. You cannot simply group girls together and just expect them to get on, can you? Life doesn’t work like that.” The 27-year-old added, “If Nicole left tomorrow, we could still carry on. I can see this band going on forever.”
Except she is the only one with any vocal talent… Pulling her head through her legs and prancing around nearly nude will only get you so far, Toots… If Nicole left, your “band” would go down the toilet.