Pussycat Dolls Singer Defends Political Stance After Tour Exclusion

Former Pussycat Dolls member Jessica Sutta has stood by her political views after being left out of 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 excluded entirely. Speaking on “The Maverick Approach” podcast on 22 March, Sutta disclosed she had been caught off guard by the reunion and alleged that her alignment with Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign, combined with her health-related campaigning following her own health challenges, had effectively sidelined her from the comeback.

The Reunion That Excluded Members Behind

The Pussycat Dolls’ reveal of their PCD Forever Tour in March came as a shock to several original members who were noticeably excluded from the lineup. Sutta revealed that neither she, Bachar nor Thornton got advance notice of the reunion, finding out instead via rumours and press coverage. She claimed she attempted multiple times to contact founder Robin Antin before the news broke publicly, 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 blindsided.”/p

The exclusion proved particularly painful for Sutta given her emotional connection 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 believed 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 reflected deeper issues in the group’s internal workings and decision-making process.

• Sutta, Bachar and Thornton excluded from PCD Forever Tour
• Three members picked: Scherzinger, Wyatt and Roberts only
• No advance notification given to excluded original members
• Sutta described reunion as a “cash grab” initiative

Political Beliefs and Workplace Repercussions

Sutta has become increasingly vocal about her support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., especially throughout his 2024 presidential campaign. She went to campaign rallies, frequently shared content on social media and delivered speeches at events, publicly aligning herself with Kennedy’s platform. However, she thinks this political stance may have directly contributed 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 problematic for the group. “I align with Bobby Kennedy, which is aligning with MAGA,” she acknowledged, though she clarified her support was rooted in specific policy positions rather than wholesale support of any political party.

The singer portrayed the reunion as fundamentally a commercial venture, suggesting that financial interests overrode any dedication to inclusivity or acknowledging all original members. “It’s a cash grab. I mean, come on. Let’s keep it real, right?” Sutta remarked candidly. She voiced concern that her political beliefs seemed to have been deemed at odds with the group’s public image or commercial interests. Despite her reservations about certain aspects of modern politics, Sutta insisted that her main reason for supporting Kennedy stemmed from support for those affected by vaccine-related health issues—a cause profoundly personal to her own health journey.

Health Advocacy as Political Catalyst

Sutta’s political engagement is deeply connected to her own medical difficulties. In recent times, she has been open about experiencing serious ongoing health issues that she connects to a COVID-19 vaccine administered in 2021. She has also made clear that she is coping with a neurological disorder, difficulties that have deeply influenced her perspective and campaigning focus. These medical circumstances led her to become involved in communities focused on vaccine safety and health autonomy, eventually bringing her to Kennedy’s campaign, which prioritised these concerns.

For Sutta, backing Kennedy offered a tangible chance to amplify the voices of those in the community of vaccine-injured individuals who she believed had been disregarded by conventional media narratives. “We didn’t have a chance for the vaccine-injured community to get help without him,” she declared, underlining that her political alignment was driven by personal necessity rather than political allegiance. This advocacy work has become integral to her public profile, yet it seems to have created a professional divide between herself and ex-bandmates who might have chosen to steer clear of connection with such disputed health controversies.

Holding Steadfast Positions on Contentious Issues

Despite the professional fallout from her political stance, Sutta has shown no signs of backing down from her convictions. She remains steadfast in her backing of Kennedy and the causes he championed during his 2024 campaign for president, attending rallies, posting frequently on social media and commenting openly about concerns regarding vaccine safety. Rather than distancing herself from these positions to protect her professional future, Sutta has continued to advocate vocally for what she stands for, even as it seems to have cost her a lucrative reunion chance to work with one of her former group’s most important ventures.

Sutta’s resistance to soften her position reflects a broader tension in modern entertainment industry, where creative professionals’ personal views increasingly intersect with business success. She has recognised the likely industry backlash of her advocacy work, yet appears determined to place her values first over commercial approval. Her open recognition that association with Kennedy’s views may be seen as endorsing “MAGA” politics reveals her recognition of how her approach is interpreted, whilst yet continuing to refuse to apologise for or substantially alter her public campaigning on health-related matters that she deems personally essential.

• Sutta attended several Kennedy political gatherings during the 2024 presidential race
• She continues to maintain a prominent social media presence advocating for vaccine safety awareness
• The singer continues discussing openly about her personal health struggles publicly
• Sutta acknowledges her positions may be perceived as politically controversial
• She prioritises health-related advocacy ahead of potential professional reconciliation opportunities

A Career Beyond the Group

Whilst the reunion tour exclusion marks a significant professional setback, Sutta has sustained an ongoing professional presence independent of the Pussycat Dolls across the previous two decades. The singer has developed independent ventures, broadcast engagements and ongoing performance commitments that have helped her preserve her standing within entertainment. Her work as a performer and public figure has extended well beyond the pop ensemble that originally launched her career, demonstrating her skill in creating a distinct professional identity apart from the group responsible for her fame.

Looking ahead, Sutta appears positioned to continue her activist initiatives and creative pursuits independent of the reunion tour’s outcome. Her willingness to speak openly about her beliefs, whilst undoubtedly costly in terms of group reconciliation, has also established her as an prominent figure on health and social matters within the entertainment industry. Whether through songwriting, campaigning or public speaking, Sutta seems committed to maintain her independence and explore possibilities consistent with her convictions rather than abandon her values for the sake of career reconciliation.