Pussycat Dolls Singer Defends Political Stance After Tour Exclusion

Former Pussycat Dolls member Jessica Sutta has defended her political views after being excluded from the girl group’s highly anticipated reunion tour, claiming her support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made her a “liability” to the project. The 43-year-old singer was notably absent from the PCD Forever Tour announcement in March, which featured only three original members — Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts — whilst Sutta, Carmit Bachar and Melody Thornton were left out entirely. Speaking on “The Maverick Approach” podcast on 22 March, Sutta revealed she had been blindsided by the reunion and alleged that her alignment with Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign, coupled with her public health advocacy following her own health challenges, had essentially removed her from the comeback.

The Get-together That Left Members Behind

The Pussycat Dolls’ reveal of their PCD Forever Tour in March proved surprising to several original members who were noticeably excluded from the lineup. Sutta disclosed that neither she, Bachar nor Thornton got advance notice of the reunion, finding out instead via rumours and press coverage. She stated she attempted multiple times to contact founder Robin Antin before the news went public, only managing to reach the choreographer on the night the tour was announced. “None of us were called. None of us were told about anything,” Sutta explained. “In fact, we were caught off guard.”/p

The removal from consideration was especially painful for Sutta due to her deep attachment to the band’s history. When Scherzinger rang the next day following the official announcement, Sutta was too hurt to answer the phone. Despite expressing genuine admiration for Scherzinger’s latest Tony Award win for her role in “Sunset Boulevard,” Sutta felt the manner of her exclusion exposed something troubling about the band’s values. “The way they did this just showed me exactly why I’m not in the group,” she said, suggesting that the manner of the reunion demonstrated deeper issues in the band’s dynamics and decision-making process.

• Sutta, Bachar and Thornton removed from PCD Forever Tour
• Three members selected: Scherzinger, Wyatt and Roberts only
• No prior notice communicated to excluded original members
• Sutta described reunion as a “cash grab” initiative

Political Convictions and Professional Consequences

Sutta has grown more outspoken about her backing of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly during his 2024 presidential campaign. She attended campaign events, posted regularly on social media and spoke at rallies, openly positioning herself with Kennedy’s platform. However, she believes this political stance could have played a role in her removal from the reunion tour. In her podcast appearance, Sutta suggested that her connection to Kennedy—and by extension, the broader political movement he represents—made her a liability for the group. “I align with Bobby Kennedy, which is aligning with MAGA,” she stated, though she clarified her support was based on particular policies rather than wholesale support of any political party.

The singer characterised the reunion as fundamentally a commercial venture, indicating that commercial considerations overrode any dedication to inclusivity or acknowledging all original members. “It’s a money grab. I mean, come on. Let’s keep it real, right?” Sutta said bluntly. She expressed frustration that her political beliefs appeared to have been considered at odds with the group’s brand image or financial interests. Despite her disagreements with elements of modern politics, Sutta maintained that her primary motivation for backing Kennedy arose from support for those affected by vaccine-related health concerns—a cause deeply personal to her own medical journey.

Health Advocacy as Political Force

Sutta’s political engagement is intrinsically linked to her personal health struggles. In recent years, she has been open about managing significant long-term health concerns that she connects to a COVID-19 vaccine taken in 2021. She has also made clear that she is dealing with a neurological condition, struggles that have significantly affected her beliefs and advocacy aims. These health experiences prompted her to engage in groups dedicated to vaccine safety and health autonomy, ultimately drawing her towards Kennedy’s campaign, which highlighted these priorities.

For Sutta, championing Kennedy constituted a practical opportunity to amplify the voices of those in the vaccine-injured community who she believed had been disregarded by conventional media narratives. “We didn’t have a chance for the vaccine-injured community to receive support without him,” she declared, underlining that her political stance was motivated by personal necessity rather than party politics. This health advocacy has become integral to her public profile, yet it appears to have created professional separation between herself and former bandmates who may have preferred to steer clear of association with such disputed health discussions.

Holding Steadfast Positions on Contentious Issues

Despite the career consequences from her political stance, Sutta has shown no signs of backing down from her convictions. She remains unwavering in her support for Kennedy and the initiatives he promoted during his 2024 campaign for president, showing up at events, regularly sharing content on social media and commenting openly about vaccine safety concerns. Rather than distancing herself from these positions to protect her professional future, Sutta has kept advocating vocally for what she believes in, even as it appears to have cost her a lucrative reunion opportunity with one of her former group’s most significant projects.

Sutta’s resistance to adjust her stance reflects a broader tension in contemporary entertainment, where artists’ personal beliefs commonly collide with business success. She has recognised the potential professional consequences of her activism, yet demonstrates resolve to place her values first over industry acceptance. Her frank admission that alignment with Kennedy’s positions may be seen as endorsing “MAGA” politics demonstrates her awareness of how her position is interpreted, whilst at the same time declining to express regret about or markedly modify her public campaigning on matters concerning health that she views as personally important.

• Sutta attended multiple Kennedy campaign events throughout 2024’s presidential election
• She has maintained an active online platform advocating for vaccine safety advocacy
• The singer continues discussing openly about her own health challenges openly
• Sutta recognises her positions could be seen as politically controversial
• She places emphasis on health advocacy over potential professional reconciliation opportunities

A Career Beyond the Group

Whilst the reunion tour exclusion represents a notable career disappointment, Sutta has maintained an active career independent of the Pussycat Dolls over the last twenty years. The singer has developed independent ventures, television appearances and continued performing engagements that have helped her preserve her position in the entertainment sector. Her work as a performer and public figure has extended well beyond the pop ensemble that initially brought her fame, showcasing her capacity to establish a distinct professional identity apart from the collective that made her name.

Looking ahead, Sutta appears well-placed to continue her advocacy work and creative pursuits regardless of the reunion tour’s outcome. Her openness in speak frankly about her principles, whilst admittedly costly in terms of group reconciliation, has also made her an vocal advocate on health and social matters within entertainment circles. Whether through music, campaigning or public speaking, Sutta seems committed to maintain her autonomy and seek out opportunities in keeping with her convictions rather than abandon her values for the sake of professional reunion.