Former Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah has threatened to expose secrets about her former bandmates after Mutya Buena returned and replaced her during the girl group’s reunion
Amelle Berrabah teased the possibility that she might spill some of the Sugababes’ secrets in the upcoming BBC documentary Girlbands Forever(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Mindhouse Productions/Duncan Stingemore)
Former Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah has teased she’ll be lifting the lid on her time in the band after being left out of the group’s high-profile reunion.
The 41-year-old star joined the Freak Like Me hitmakers in December 2005, replacing original member Mutya Buena. Amelle remained part of the group until they went on hiatus in 2011, performing alongside Heidi Range and Jade Ewen as part of the final line-up before the group ultimately “fizzled out”.
During her time with the band, Amelle helped record their seventh album, Sweet 7, and even made history as the only Sugababe to score a solo UK No.1 away from the group.
Amelle was ousted from the group after original members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena, and Keisha Buchanan reunited in 2019(Image: Getty Images)
But after the original trio of Mutya, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy reunited and later reclaimed the Sugababes name in 2019, Amelle and her bandmates were effectively locked out of any future comeback plans.
Now, Amelle appears ready to tell her side of the story. The singer has confirmed she will appear in the upcoming BBC documentary Girlbands Forever, where she hinted that she might finally spill some long-held secrets.
While posting about the project on Instagram, Amelle wrote: “Had such a wonderful time chatting all things girl bands for the BBC show Girlbands Forever.
“It brought back so many amazing memories — from my time in the Sugababes to the incredible era of pop that shaped so many of us. So grateful to have been part of it all, and to share a few laughs (and maybe a few secrets) along the way!
“Sending love to all the girl bands who paved the way and to all the music lovers who still keep the music alive!” The documentary, which promises “a nostalgic trip through pop music history,” comes after a recent public feud between Amelle and Keisha Buchanan reignited old tensions.
Amelle originally replaced Mutya Buena in the Sugababes in 2005(Image: Getty Images)
In September 2024, Keisha claimed on The Receipts Podcast that she was “replaced” in the Sugababes without warning, saying: “I didn’t leave. I was replaced. I got a text message. Well, they told me that the band had disbanded, they said they didn’t want to continue.”
Amelle hit back in the comments on Instagram, accusing Keisha of twisting the truth. “This is literally NOT what happened but am sure a lot of people will believe it and that’s ok tbh,” she wrote.
“Why not speak of the good things, your success, rather than making up stuff that didn’t happen… We are grown women, what’s the point of doing this? I don’t understand it.”
When asked last year whether she keeps in touch with her former bandmates, Amelle admitted there has been little contact between them over the years.
“I’ve never met Siobhán, I’ve heard great things though,” she said. “Mutya, the only day I’ve ever met her was to wish me luck for CDUK and we had a little chat and a cuddle. That’s literally the only time I’ve ever met her. And then Keisha, we haven’t spoken in a few years to be honest.”
Meanwhile, the original Sugababes — Keisha, Mutya and Siobhán — are still touring and release new music, with their latest single Situation teasing what they’ve described as “a new era” for the group.
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