They oozed confidence on stage, but behind the scenes, these chart-topping pop stars were struggling with body image.
Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh and The Saturdays star Frankie Bridge admit the groups were so conscious of their weight during their time in the bands, the bandmates could often collectively lose weight in a “snowball” effect amongst themselves.
“If one of us lost weight, we’d all follow,” admits Frankie. “Whether it was on purpose or not, it just kinda happened.”
“It has a knock on effect,” agrees Kimberley. “So you have to be careful if people are struggling with eating – it can snowball.”
Kim adds that she felt pressure with bandmates including Cheryl Tweedy and Nicola Roberts – who enjoyed a birthday dinner at London’s Chiltern Firehouse this week – were so “naturally tiny” they could eat what they wanted and not put on weight.
“That makes me feel quite sick at times, but it’s the reality,” says Kim, speaking on Frankie’s Open Mind podcast.
“I always had to be aware. I’d always crash diet before a video or a tour just to make myself feel better.
“Now I look back and think I looked fine, I should have just been happy.