The Pussycat Dolls have slammed “false allegations” from former member Kaya Jones that they operated as a “prostitution ring”.
The band, which recently reunited, released a statement this morning saying, “The Pussycat Dolls has always and will always stand for female empowerment and sisterhood.”
“We stand in solidarity with all women who have bravely spoken publicly of their horrific experiences of abuse, harassment and exploitation.
“However, we cannot stand behind false allegations towards other group members partaking in activities that simply did not take place.”
Kaya Jones, who joined the band in 2003, alleged that the band was “passed around” and that they were told to sleep with top music executives in order to further their career.
In a series of tweets, Kaya alleged, “My truth. I wasn’t in a girl group. I was in a prostitution ring. Oh & we happened to sing & be famous. While everyone who owned us made the $.”
“How bad was it? people ask — bad enough that I walked away from my dreams, bandmates & a 134 million dollar record deal. We knew we were going to #1.”
“To be apart (sic) of the team you must be a team player. Meaning sleep with whoever they say. If you don’t they have nothing on you to leverage.”
“Then a fourth. ‘Why don’t we report it? Because we are all abused! I personally have been warned if I tell I will … you know end up dead or no more career.”
The former band member also blamed the band’s founder Robin Antin for many of the problems, and claimed that band members were paid just $500 a week while Robin pocketed most of the money.
Meanwhile, 56-year-old Robin hit back at Kaya’s comments, and claimed that she was never a real member of the band.
She branded her allegations as “disgusting, ridiculous lies” and told The Blast that she is “clearly looking for her 15 minutes”.
