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Girl bands redefined pop music despite industry exploitation, BBC documentary reveals
A new BBC documentary, Girlbands Forever, exposes the systemic challenges faced by all-female pop groups while celebrating their groundbreaking contributions to music. From the 1960s to today, girl bands like The Ronettes, TLC, and Katseye have consistently pushed creative boundaries-unlike their male counterparts, often criticized for relying on superficial appeal.
The creative edge of girl bands
Andy McCluskey, frontman of OMD and creator of Atomic Kitten, argued in a 2010 BBC interview that boy bands thrive on "lovestruck fandom" rather than musical innovation. "Girl bands are the best pop groups," he stated bluntly, citing their experimental flair. Tracks like The Spice Girls' Wannabe and Girls Aloud's Biology-a seven-part pop mosaic-demonstrate a complexity rarely matched by male acts like Westlife.
Yet, recognition came slowly. It took 41 years for an all-female group, Little Mix, to win Best Group at the Brit Awards in 2021, underscoring the industry's historical bias.
Exploitation behind the glamour
The documentary's first two episodes reveal harrowing industry practices. Kelle Bryan of 1990s R&B group Eternal recalls a grueling "boot camp" with strict dietary controls, while Melanie Blatt of All Saints was pressured to terminate a pregnancy to avoid disrupting the band's trajectory. "It was heartbreaking," Blatt shared, though she ultimately refused.
Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona described the physical toll of relentless touring: "At one point, all three of us were on IV drips. We had no control." The lack of support extended to Girls Aloud, who, after forming on Pop Stars: The Rivals, spent over a year without a manager. "We were children working 22-hour days," Nadine Coyle admitted. "No one protected us."
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Cheryl (Girls Aloud), reflecting on the band's early struggles
Racism and media harassment
Mis-Teeq, a trailblazing R&B trio, faced overt racism. Alesha Dixon was told, "Black girls won't sell records in the UK," while the band struggled for magazine covers despite transatlantic hits like Scandalous. "We worked harder to earn respect," Su-Elise Nash recalled. Meanwhile, tabloids targeted Atomic Kitten's Katona, circling her post-pregnancy stretch marks in "circles of shame"-a tactic she says drove her to substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
Legacy and industry shifts
Today, awareness of mental health has improved, partly due to advocacy from survivors like Little Mix, who demanded aftercare for contestants on their 2020 talent show. "We didn't have that," Leigh-Anne Pinnock noted, referencing their X Factor origins. Yet, grueling schedules persist: K-pop group Le Sserafim revealed they rehearse six hours daily alongside recording and media obligations.
The documentary has fostered solidarity among veterans. "I woke up to messages from Natasha Hamilton [Atomic Kitten] and Keisha [Sugababes]," Nash said. "There's no rivalry-just pride in what we overcame."
Girlbands Forever is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
