Mutya Buena has waded into the heart of Sugababegate, declaring that the Sugababes aren't rightly the Sugababes after the sacking of Keisha Buchanan. Buena, Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy founded the group in 1998.
"Obviously, Keisha being the original that was left out of the band, her leaving doesn't make it Sugababes," Buena told BBC 1Xtra. "I'm not trying to put my foot into it, but I wouldn't be surprised in any way [if she had been forced out]."
Buena was a Sugababe from 1998 to 2005. Unlike Donaghy, who left early in the act's career, Buena was one of their anchors. After she quit for "personal reasons", the lineup retained just one original member – Buchanan – together with Heidi Range (Donaghy's replacement) and Amelle Berrabah (Buena's replacement). Two nights ago, that lineup saw a seismic shift when Sugababes' management announced Eurovision singer Jade Ewen is joining the group – while Buchanan will be relegated to a solo career. Buchanan has insisted that it was not her choice to leave.
Writing on Twitter, Buena eulogised her former group. "It all started so innocently ... a love for music and a dream ... look what it's become." She also admonished Heidi Range for sticking with the Frankenstein's monster of a lineup. "I will say this publicly: shame on Heidi [Range] for not following Keisha out. But [it] doesn't surprise me a bit."
guardian.co.uk
