How many line-up changes can a pop group sustain and still be the same band? It looks like the Sugababes could be about to find out, with reports suggesting that recent new addition Amelle Berrabah could soon be shown the door making a possible fourth line-up in six years. Berrabah joined the charting-topping trio when founding member Mutya Buena quit to go solo and immediately caused problems. It seems that these troubles have now reached crisis point, with fellow Sugababes Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range having held secret auditions to replace Berrabah at the weekend.
Firstly Berrabah’s ex boyfriend Freddie Fuller was questioned about the alleged rape of her younger sister and then she was arrested herself after a brawl at a pub. Now it seems that her personal life is proving such an exciting distraction that she failed to show for a gig in Aberdeen and has enjoyed a relaxed approach to attending recording sessions for the group’s new album.
A source has revealed the inside scoop on the pop princesses: “Keisha and Heidi are the ultimate professionals when it comes to their career. They have worked hard for everything they have achieved. Amelle doesn’t seem to take it as seriously. When the girls were recording their latest album, Amelle kept arriving late to the studio. They had blazing rows over timekeeping.
“The Sugababes were always known as being a bitchy group, but when Amelle joined they went out of their way to accept her into the group and gave her nothing but support over Freddie. But they feel that support has been thrown back in their face. She was handed a golden ticket and the chance to be in one of the UK’s most successful girl bands. But the girls feel she has let them down.”
It seems incredible in this age full of young wannabes desperate for the chance to perform on shows such as The X-Factor that someone granted entrance into an already established and successful pop group would throw it away so carelessly. We all know that going solo isn’t a credible option for Keisha and Heidi, as after the initial few singles, long-term success is rarely achieved by those accustomed to the safety of a group’s numbers. And with a single due out on September 24th, the girls need to achieve the look of unity even if things are falling apart behind closed doors.
Do you think there’ll replace Amelle? Do you think they can afford to, given their penchant for changing faces or do you think its time The Sugababes said farewell? Leave a comment and let us know.
[via The Sun]