Top 10 Biggest Girl Group Scandals
#10: The Pussycat Dolls
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It’s a tale as old as time: music group members vying for lead vocals, center stage, and solo success. But in the case of the Pussycat Dolls, none of that was even a possibility for anyone but Nicole Scherzinger. Rather than being billed as her equals, the other girls often came off as glorified backup dancers. Scherzinger was usually the only one who sang on their albums, recording both lead and background vocals. Following a near decade-long hiatus, the group attempted a comeback in 2019. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, paired with legal disputes between Scherzinger and manager Robin Antin led to it being dead on arrival. Regardless of the situation, these Dolls just couldn’t seem to stickwit each other.
#9: 3LW
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Girl group feuds have occasionally turned physical, but this one is a finger-lickin’ low. During a 2002 visit to KFC, an altercation broke out between 3LW members Naturi Naughton and Kiely Williams. According to Naughton, the bandmates had gotten into an argument, which culminated in Williams throwing a plate of food at her. Not long after, Naughton exited the group, although she claims that she was pushed out by their management. Both ladies have discussed their part in the incident over the years, but a public reconciliation between the two is yet to be seen. Meanwhile, Adrienne Bailon, who rounded up the trio, later reunited with Houghton on her talk show “The Real”, where she apologized for her role in the controversy.
#8: Little Mix
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Regarded by Forbes as the 2010s’ answer to the Spice Girls, Little Mix became famous for their feminist anthems and sassy breakup songs. Many of their fans were, however, shocked when a rift formed between the seemingly tight-knit quartet. In 2020, following the release of their sixth album “Confetti”, it was announced that band member Jesy Nelson would be leaving the group. Her solo single “Boyz”, which featured Nicki Minaj, became a source of controversy, as the singer faced allegations of blackfishing and cultural appropriation from her appearance in the music video. Things took a turn for the worse after Nelson got on an Instagram Live session with Minaj, in which the rapper made disparaging comments about Little Mix member Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
#7: AOA
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Several Korean girl groups have been mired in scandal, but few were quite as contentious as AOA. In July of 2020, former member Mina accused her bandmate Jimin of mistreatment going back years. The revelations left many in disbelief and shed light on the toxic and brutally competitive culture associated with South Korean music groups. In response, Jimin apologized to Mina and later announced that she will be exiting AOA, as well as retiring from the entertainment business altogether. It wouldn’t be the first time a Korean girl group was at the center of controversy. Back in 2014, actor Lee Byung-hun accused GLAM member Dahee of blackmail, resulting in the group’s disbandment the following year.
#6: Girls Aloud
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“Love Machine” said it best: they’re living in two tribes, and heading for war. British pop group Girls Aloud was often split up into two factions: Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts on one side, with Nadine Coyle and Sarah Harding on the other. After the group went on a hiatus in 2009, Cheryl and Coyle embarked on solo careers, and soon got involved in a bitter public feud. Cheryl had also sparked controversy years before, when she was sentenced to 120 hours of community service after being found guilty of assaulting a nightclub employee. Thankfully, the ladies of Girls Aloud seem to have outgrown their differences, having patched things up following Harding’s untimely passing in 2021.
#5: Fifth Harmony
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Despite the hint of teamwork in their name, Fifth Harmony always left something to be desired in the chemistry department. Formed on the U.S. version of “The X-Factor” in 2012, the quintet soon became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. But as their success grew, there appeared to be some underlying tension between Camila Cabello and the rest of the band. This became increasingly evident when Cabello announced half of her heart was in Havana, leaving them as a foursome. The group seemed to retaliate in a big way, throwing a Redwood of shade at Cabello in their 2017 VMAs performance. With an indefinite hiatus announced in 2018, it seems time has taken a sledgehammer to this once-captivating ensemble.
#4: Destiny’s Child
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At the time of their debut, Destiny’s Child consisted of four members: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. The group rose to success in the late ‘90s, under the management of Beyoncé’s father Mathew. Early on in their career, Luckett and Roberson were forced out of the group after voicing out their dissatisfaction with Mathew’s management. This led to a highly publicized legal dispute that only made Destiny’s Child’s star power bigger. The two ladies were soon replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin, the latter of whom also dropped out from the band, citing the negative publicity and her lack of control. The remaining members eventually split in 2006, with their respective solo careers already underway.
#3: The Supremes
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This group’s history is so legendary that it inspired a movie. Birthed by Motown Records, the Supremes were unprecedented in their success…and adversity. While the famous trio originally split lead vocals, Diana Ross was given more and more attention over time. This didn’t go over so well with bandmate Florence Ballard, who struggled with mental health issues and became heavily dependent on alcohol. The group’s name was eventually changed to “Diana Ross & the Supremes,” and Ballard was booted from the lineup after performing intoxicated. Even after their fallout, the tension continued in 1986 when founding member Mary Wilson detailed Ross’ alleged diva behavior in her memoir — which she’s since denied. Seems there ain’t no mountain high enough to top the Supremes’ drama.
#2: Spice Girls
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Here’s the story from A to Z. With each Spice Girl’s personality tying so heavily into the group’s appeal, the surprise exit of Ginger Spice, aka Geri Hallwell, was a huge blow. Halliwell’s 1998 departure virtually came out of nowhere, as she was set to join her bandmates on a U.S. tour at the peak of their popularity. Pointing to exhaustion and artistic differences, she soon launched a successful solo career. While Halliwell seemed to be on good terms with her former group members, who released the song “Goodbye” in her honor, the move still devastated tons of young millennials. Thankfully, the Spice Girls’ reunions in latter years, with Halliwell in tow, saw 4 become 5 once again.
#1: TLC
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Unlike their divine looks and vocals, our number one group had some seriously unflattering moments. Paramount among them was TLC rapper Lisa Lopes, or Left Eye’s, tumultuous relationship with footballer Andre Rison. In 1994, Lopes was charged with first-degree arson after burning down Rison’s house, allegedly as a result of their domestic disputes. Controversy also extended to TLC as a whole when they filed for bankruptcy in 1995, which they later opened up about at the 1996 Grammy Awards. The trio feuded internally as well, but pushed their beef aside after Left Eye’s tragic demise in a 2002 car accident. Despite their fiery attitudes (and sometimes actions), TLC clearly maintained love and respect for each other to the end.
