Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Roberts Says Being in the Group Made Her So ‘Sick’ Doctors Thought She Had an Aneurysm

Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Roberts Reveals Health Struggles During Time in Group

Ashley Roberts, former member of the Pussycat Dolls, has recently shared details about the health challenges she faced while part of the iconic pop group. In a candid interview with The Times UK, the singer and dancer disclosed that doctors once suspected she had an aneurysm and her body had reached a point of complete exhaustion.

Roberts, now 43, reminisced about a pivotal moment almost five years after the Pussycat Dolls’ album ‘PCD’ achieved multi-platinum status in 2005. She vividly recalled a performance in New York where she felt the enormity of their success as the crowd echoed back the lyrics. However, behind the glitz and glamour, Roberts confided that the toll on her health was severe.

During her time with the group, Roberts found herself constantly on the move, at one point juggling schedules that had her hopping between three different countries in a single day. The relentless pace eventually took its toll, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being. She admitted, “Eventually, my body just got to the point of shutdown. I was really, really sick.”

The pressures of maintaining a rigorous tour schedule, managing complex band dynamics, and coping with the demands of fame led Roberts to rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as Xanax, erratic eating and sleeping patterns. The culmination of these factors landed her in a London hospital where doctors initially suspected a brain aneurysm due to her symptoms. However, the root cause was attributed to stress and burnout.

Despite grappling with serious health issues, Roberts found it challenging to prioritise her well-being over her commitment to work. Even during her hospitalisation, she was adamant about fulfilling her professional obligations. Reflecting on the relentless grind of her music career, Roberts disclosed, “I remember saying [in the hospital], ‘I need to get on a flight to Germany. I’ve got a show to do. You gotta give me something.’ That was the mentality.”

Roberts eventually parted ways with the Pussycat Dolls in 2010, citing a myriad of health problems that plagued her during her time with the group. Eczema, shingles, and a stomach ulcer were some of the visible manifestations of the toll it took on her body. She described the experience as an accumulation of years spent in a high-pressure environment where issues around mental and physical health were seldom addressed openly.

Having reunited with the group from 2019 to 2021, Roberts’s revelations shed light on the often overlooked challenges faced by performers in the music industry. With a shift towards prioritising artists’ well-being in recent years, Roberts’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-care and mental health awareness in the demanding world of entertainment.

The Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Roberts has bravely shared her journey of battling health struggles amid the glitz and glamour of the music industry. Her story serves as a reminder for all of us to prioritise self-care and well-being in the face of demanding professional pressures.