The Pussycat Dolls' Reunion Tour Plagued by Injuries, Technical Issues, and Poor Sales

The Pussycat Dolls' highly anticipated reunion tour has been marred by a string of unfortunate events, from lead singer Nicole Scherzinger sustaining a burn injury to the cancellation of their entire North American leg due to poor ticket sales. The tour, which kicked off in September, has also been hit by technical glitches and controversy surrounding the exclusion of founding members.

Tour Woes and Cancellations

The group initially announced a 53-date tour across the UK, Europe, and North America. However, dismal ticket sales led to the cancellation of 33 dates in the US and Canada. Organizers were forced to pull the plug on the North American leg a month before its scheduled start, even after reducing ticket prices to as low as $30. In a statement, the band expressed their disappointment but affirmed that their UK and European dates were proceeding as planned, noting an "incredible response" with several sold-out shows.

Personal Setbacks

Lead singer Nicole Scherzinger experienced a painful accident just an hour before a show in Germany, spilling boiling water on her leg. Despite the burns and blisters, Scherzinger performed, emphasizing a "the show must go on" attitude. Meanwhile, Kimberly Wyatt underwent a hip replacement operation prior to the tour, an ordeal she recently shared details of, recounting the significant pain and limited mobility she experienced before the surgery. Ashley Roberts also confessed to nearly backing out of the tour after experiencing severe nerves about performing a solo, citing past criticism of the group's singing abilities. Encouraged by her vocal coach, Roberts ultimately decided to proceed with her solo performance.

Internal Controversies and Technical Difficulties

The comeback has also been overshadowed by controversy regarding the exclusion of original members Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta, and Melody Thornton. Bachar and Sutta stated they were not invited to participate in the reunion, with Sutta labeling it a "cash grab." The tour faced further disruption in Poland when a technical issue, or possible wardrobe malfunction, reportedly led to Scherzinger being absent for the first half of the performance of their hit song "Buttons." This left bandmates Wyatt and Roberts to perform the choreography to a backing track, sparking fan discussion about the vocal contributions of other members.

Wyatt has since shared more about her hip replacement surgery, which she initially underwent two years ago. She described being in significant pain for nearly two years prior to the operation, to the point where she struggled to walk and sleep. She drew inspiration from athletes like Andy Murray who have undergone similar procedures. Wyatt reflected on her body's resilience, performing on tour after multiple surgeries and C-sections, acknowledging that while her dancing may not be the same as in her youth, her body's ability to perform is something she is proud of.

Roberts, in a candid video shared at the start of the tour, detailed her "freak out" over singing a solo, admitting she was close to withdrawing. She spoke about overcoming a "subconscious belief" that she couldn't sing, a sentiment she felt was reinforced by years of commentary labeling the Pussycat Dolls as primarily dancers. She expressed gratitude for the support she received, which helped her gain confidence and confront her fears throughout the tour. The tour's UK leg is set to continue with the group hoping for a smoother continuation of their performances.