Girlbands Forever, a new three-part documentary executive produced by Louis Theroux, airs Saturday at 9.20pm on BBC Two. It charts the rise of 90s and 00s girl groups including All Saints, Eternal, Atomic Kitten, Mis-Teeq and Little Mix, blending nostalgia with candid interviews that reveal a troubling industry.
Former members share shocking experiences. Kelle Bryan of Eternal says the band was sent to a countryside facility and put on controlled diets to manage weight, though the head of EMI UK denies knowledge. Kerry Katona recalls a journalist arriving at her mother's house with cocaine to coax a story. Melanie Blatt of All Saints says she was advised to abort when she became pregnant.
The documentary avoids cynicism, instead exploring how these artists shaped social norms and were often exploited. It highlights racial disparities, noting that black artists worked far harder for less recognition, and that adding a slender white woman could transform a band's fortunes. The Spice Girls are absent but loom large, with producer Pete Waterman dismissing their 'Girl Power' slogan as 'EMI power'.
Piers Morgan emerges as a villain, while the music industry is criticised for its treatment of pregnant band members. Blatt's defiant performance at Party in the Park with a visible baby bump is celebrated as a punk-rock moment. The series also touches on the Sugababes' revolving line-up, described as a 'Ship of Theseus' paradox.
Despite the grim revelations, the show celebrates the joy of girl gangs and their enduring hits like Never Ever and Scandalous. It argues that while these artists may not have always felt empowered, they became avatars of empowerment for younger generations.
