Melanie Blatt Opens Up About 'Always Difficult' All Saints Band Dynamics
Former All Saints singer Melanie Blatt has candidly described the 'always difficult relationship' that existed among the four members of the iconic 1990s girl group. In a new interview, the 50-year-old popstar-turned-chef reflected on the complex interpersonal dynamics that characterized the band's heyday.
The Tricky Dynamic Within the Chart-Topping Quartet
Blatt, who rose to fame in 1997 as part of the multi-platinum selling group that achieved over 10 million record sales worldwide, explained how All Saints - comprised of sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton alongside Shaznay Lewis - navigated a 'tricky dynamic' throughout their career. 'For a start, you've got two sisters. Nic and I were best friends when we were 11, then Shaz and I were best friends... we could never get it right,' she revealed to Good Housekeeping UK magazine.
The singer emphasized the authenticity of their relationships despite the challenges. 'It's such a shame; I think if we'd got it right, we'd have been laughing. At the same time, we didn't fake it. We didn't pretend we were okay. And we certainly didn't stay in the band for money.'
Revealing Past Pressures and Personal Decisions
Blatt also revisited a particularly difficult period when she and bandmate Nicole Appleton faced external pressure regarding pregnancy decisions. In October last year, the singer had previously disclosed how both women were 'pressured' into considering abortion by industry figures who reportedly warned that having children would 'ruin' their fame.
'I'd only been dating Lily's dad (Jamiroquai bassist Stuart Zender) for a couple of months and the pregnancy was unplanned, but I knew that having the baby was absolutely the right thing for me,' Blatt explained. 'Nic decided to have an abortion, but we didn't really discuss it because we didn't have the communication skills to do so. I don't think we've ever spoken about it, to this day.'
From Pop Stardom to Culinary Ambitions
The singer also discussed her evolving relationship with the band's musical legacy, confessing she spent 'many, many years feeling ashamed about being in a pop band' but has now grown more comfortable hearing All Saints' songs. She revealed initial resistance to some of their biggest hits, saying 'I wanted to work with Timbaland and Missy Elliott. I didn't want to release Pure Shores. I was always making a fuss, I was always upset, and I was wrong. It became our biggest song.'
Following her appearance on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special last year, Blatt has turned her attention to culinary pursuits. The former popstar expressed enthusiasm for publishing a cookery book or developing her own cooking show, suggesting creative concepts like 'Cheeses Of The World' where she would travel to Africa and Asia exploring cheese cultures. 'I'm putting it out there, because I'm going to make it happen,' she declared with determination.
The full interview appears in the April issue of Good Housekeeping UK, offering further insights into Blatt's journey from pop sensation to her current creative endeavors beyond the music industry.
