Ashley Roberts Feared She Couldn't Sing Solo on Pussycat Dolls Tour

Pussycat Dolls member Ashley Roberts has disclosed that she nearly withdrew from performing a solo during the group's reunion tour due to intense nerves and past criticisms about the band's singing capabilities. Roberts, 45, shared a video from the early stages of the tour where she was visibly emotional, struggling with the prospect of singing live.

Roberts explained her decision to include a solo was an effort to demonstrate the personal growth she has experienced. However, she admitted to feeling anxious, recalling past comments that the Pussycat Dolls were known more for their dancing than their singing. "I was gonna pull out, I was not gonna do it because I was psyching myself out saying it's gonna sound like s**t," she stated in the video. She elaborated that the group's history of being labeled "just dancers" conflicted with her desire to prove her vocal abilities, despite dance being her passion.

She recounted nearly succumbing to self-doubt, questioning her own capability and worthiness. "I was beating myself up for this because you promote people believing in themselves and what if you can't do it," she said. Encouragement from her vocal coach, Josh, who has worked with artists like Raye, was instrumental in helping her overcome this fear.

"There's just been so many years of a subconscious belief that I can't and so to have someone believe in me and then to heal this part of me is gonna be so big," Roberts tearfully explained. She concluded the video by affirming her commitment to perform the solo, embracing the tour's ethos that sometimes authenticity is more important than perfection.

In a subsequent caption, Roberts indicated that she had gained confidence since filming the vulnerable confession. She reflected on the experience, stating, "Now we’re well into the tour, I’m feeling more confident in myself and my solo, and I can look back at this moment with a lil more love for myself." She acknowledged that some of her fear had lingered for a long time and that the tour had provided an opportunity for healing and growth, expressing gratitude for the support she received from fans.

The Pussycat Dolls' reunion tour has faced several challenges. Earlier in the tour, lead singer Nicole Scherzinger sustained burns from spilled boiling water shortly before a performance in Dusseldorf, Germany. Despite the incident, she continued with the tour.

More significantly, the group was forced to cancel the entire U.S. and Canadian leg of their comeback tour due to low ticket sales. Originally planned as a 53-date run across multiple continents, the North American portion was reduced by 33 dates. Organizers attempted to boost sales by lowering ticket prices, but ultimately had to cancel the remaining shows just a month before their scheduled start.

The reunion itself was marked by controversy due to the exclusion of original members Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta, and Melody Thornton, who stated they were not invited to participate.