On Friday, former Pussycat Dolls member, Kaya Jones, took to Twitter to say that she and her bandmates were part of a “prostitution ring” and slept with men in order to be part of the musical group.
Now, Robin Antin, the founder of the Pussycat Dolls, is speaking out, saying that Jones is lying and “clearly looking for her 15 minutes.”
Here’s everything you need to know:
1. She Has Called Jones’ Allegations ‘Disgusting, Ridiculous Lies’
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 $
Antin, 56, is clearly upset with what the former Pussycat Doll has said about the band. Antin says the allegations of the girls being part of a prostitution ring are “disgusting, ridiculous lies,” and that Jones is “clearly looking for her 15 minutes.”
Jones was a member of the Pussycat Dolls between 2003 and 2005, prior to the release of the group’s debut album. She wrote on Twitter that she was abused and given drugs while others made money from the group’s fame, according to The Independent. Jones writes:
My truth. I wasn’t in a girl group. I was in a prostitution ring. Oh and we happened to sing and be famous. While everyone who owned us made the [money]. How bad was it? People ask – bad enough that I walked away from my dreams, band mates and a $13m (£9.7m) record deal. We knew we were going to #1.”
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
2. Antin Says Jones Was Never Officially a Part of the Group
(L-R) Natasha Slayton, Lauren Bennett, Emmalyn Estrada, Paula Van Oppen of G.R.L and choreographer Robin Antin of the Pussycat Dolls (center) pose in the press room during the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on May 1, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
Antin really doesn’t seem to care what Jones says– in fact, she tells The Blast that Jones was never an official member of the Pussycat Dolls– she was one of many who auditioned, “but ended up washing out and never became a permanent fixture.”
3. A Legal Letter Is Currently Being Drafted According to Reports
GettyChoreographer Robin Antin attends the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on May 1, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
According to reports obtained by The Blast, the band’s lawyer is currently drafting a legal letter to send to Jones to warn her to stop damaging the brand, “or face the legal consequences.”
4. She Founded the Pussycat Dolls in 1995
Antin founded the Pussycat Dolls in 1995. It started as a burlesque troupe before becoming an all-female singing group. In 2003, after attracting attention from the media, the Pussycat Dolls signed a record deal with Interscope Geffen A&M Records– at the time, the band consisted of Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, Kaya Jones, and Kimberly Wyatt.
The Pussycat Dolls have sold 54 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling female groups of all time.
Antin is also responsible for founding the girl groups Girlicious, The Paradiso Girls, and G.R.L..
5. She’s a Choreographer and Has Worked with Paris Hilton & No Doubt
Antin is a well-respected choreographer, and has worked with entertainers like Anastacia, Pink, the Offspring, and No Doubt. In 2010, she, Tony Selznick and Paula Abdul presented choreography agent Julie McDonald with an award for being a pioneer in the world of dance for over 25 years.
In an interview with Fit Bottomed Girls, Antin was asked which celebrity was the most fun to work with and who surprised her the most. She said, “All of these woman are amazing and inspiring. I have to say, Gwen Stefani surprised me…with no dance experience, she learned the moves and found her ‘inner doll’ right there before my very eyes. Love her!”