Sugababes' feud, split and reconciliation explained as they receive MOBO award

07 February 2024 , 19:30

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Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy will be honoured with the MOBO Impact Award (Image: Getty Images)

Sugababes has been plagued with controversy, drama and several different members over the years.

Fans of the hit girl band will remember original members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy all went on to leave the group before reforming and taking back ownership of their name. After announcing their reunion two years ago, the Sugababes have gone from strength to strength playing at Glastonbury before setting off on a UK tour.

Now, the original members will be honoured at the 26th MOBO Awards, which takes place in Sheffield on February, 7. They will receive the MOBO Impact Award and perform a medley of their hits at the ceremony. Speaking of the award, they said: “MOBOAwards, thank you for presenting us with 2024’s Impact Award!

"To be able to look back on our two decades plus journey and be told that our music has touched so many people - even inspiring other artists - is something to be proud of. We are really looking forward to celebrating with everyone and performing at this year’s show.” However, it's not always been plain-sailing for the group, here we take a look back at all the controversies surrounding the girl band...

Siobhan, Mutya and Keisha reclaimed their group name (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Sep)

Mutya, Siobhan and Keisha are being honoured at the MOBO Awards (Getty Images)

Bullying allegations

Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan became a girl group while they were still teenagers. Keisha and Mutya had known each other from primary school, while Mutya and Siobhan were signed as solo artists at the age of just 13, and decided to work together after performing at the same showcase. Keisha was then invited along to the recording studio to watch, at which point manager Ron Tom realised they could come together as a trio. The band enjoyed great success and their top-ten single Overload was nominated for a BRIT Award.

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However, Siobhan suddenly quit the band in 2001 to pursue a career in fashion and branded Keisha a "bully". Speaking to The Sun in 2009, Siobhan claimed: "There was no doubt that I was pushed out. It was clear that there was someone in that band who never wanted me in it and that's Keisha. She never wanted me in that band and made my life a living hell. I'll never forgive her. Though no-one forgives that first bully in their lives, do they? No-one does."

Siobhan left in 2001 and was replaced by Heidi (Sunday Mirror)

Mental health struggles

Siobhan, who was replaced by former Atomic Kitten member Heidi Range, later opened up on her own struggle with mental health in a 2023 episode of the Spinning Plates podcast with Sophie Ellis Bextor. She explained she'd been suffering from clinical depression at the time of her departure, before going on to praise Keisha.

Siobhan said: "Back then I was nervous, Keisha was nervous, and Mutya was nervous. When you're teenagers you don't recognise this in each other - that when you're nervous you kind of go into yourself and it can look like you're moody. Whereas now we're very good at communicating with each other.

"We give each other eye contact on stage. If anyone's having a little bit of a moment, or you need to sing their part, we can quickly do that for each other. So having that support network on stage now is amazing. Keisha is a real leader in that. I always feel like she has our back on stage. Vocally and sonically we defer to her to make sure that's right. It's just another weight off my shoulders - I love it."

In 2005, Mutya also left the band, explaining that she had been suffering from post natal depression after the birth of her daughter Tahlia. Mutya, who was replaced by Amelle Berrabah, told RWD magazine: "Everything became a downer and I just couldn't be bothered. But it did get to the point where I couldn't take it any more and it was horrible. All you know is that you feel down and you want to cry."

Amelle joined the group after Mutya quit in 2005 (Getty Images)

Keisha's controversial exit

Keisha was the last original Sugababes member to leave the group in 2009. It was reported she was "sacked" from the group with the singer confirming on Twitter that she had not made the decision to leave herself. The last remaining original singer, who was replaced by Jade Ewen, tweeted: "I'm sad to say that I am no longer a part of the Sugababes.

"Although it was not my choice to leave, it's time to enter a new chapter in my life. I would like to state that there were no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort that lead to this. Sometimes a breakdown in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things."

Reunion

The Sugababes officially split in 2011, however, original members Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan reunited in 2013 under the moniker MKS. Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan then faced an uphill battle to release music, but finally in 2022 they regained control of their Sugababes name and performed under that title at Glastonbury.

After years of hard work, the original members released a new album, Lost Tapes, that included previously unreleased material and performed to massive crowds on a UK tour. Last year, the group released their new single When The Rain Comes ahead of their forthcoming album, due 2024.

Heidi's absence from comeback

Many fans will remember Sugababes' line-up including Heidi, after she replaced Siobhan, with the new trio releasing three albums from 2002 to 2005 – hit singles like Round Round, Hole in the Head and Push the Button. The original members have insisted there is no "bad blood" between them and Heidi as they continue on with the Sugababes name.

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Keisha said: "I think collectively we would all agree that Heidi had her part of it and is a massive part of Sugababes. For her to have done that journey with us, she is just as important to the journey of Sugababes." Mutya added to The Sun: "We've seen Heidi and there's no bad blood or anything like that." She revealed there isn't time for tension, adding: "You've always got to give people their flowers."

Charlotte McIntyre