Pussycat Dolls Singer Defends Political Stance After Tour Exclusion

Former Pussycat Dolls member Jessica Sutta has defended 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 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 effectively sidelined her from the comeback.

The Get-together That Left Participants Out

The Pussycat Dolls’ reveal of their PCD Forever Tour in March came as a shock to several original members who were clearly excluded from the lineup. Sutta revealed that neither she, Bachar nor Thornton received advance notice of the reunion, finding out instead via rumours and press coverage. She stated she attempted several times to reach out to 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 caught off guard.”/p

The exclusion was especially painful for Sutta given her emotional connection to the group’s legacy. When Scherzinger called the following day after the official announcement, Sutta was too upset to answer the phone. While acknowledging 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 group’s priorities. “The way they did this simply showed me exactly why I’m not in the group,” she said, suggesting that the reunion’s execution demonstrated deeper issues within 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 prior notice given to excluded original members
• Sutta described reunion as a “cash grab” venture

Political Views and Career Implications

Sutta has grown more outspoken about her support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly during his 2024 presidential campaign. She went to campaign rallies, frequently shared content on social media and delivered speeches at events, 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 indicated that her association with 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 blanket endorsement of any political party.

The singer characterised the reunion as essentially a commercial venture, suggesting that financial interests superseded any dedication to inclusion or acknowledging all founding members. “It’s a cash grab. I mean, come on. Let’s keep it real, right?” Sutta said bluntly. She voiced concern that her political views appeared to have been considered incompatible with the group’s public image or commercial interests. Notwithstanding her disagreements with elements of contemporary politics, Sutta insisted that her main reason for supporting Kennedy arose from advocacy for those impacted by vaccine-related health concerns—a cause profoundly personal to her own medical journey.

Health Campaigning as Political Catalyst

Sutta’s public advocacy is deeply connected to her individual health challenges. In recent times, she has been open about managing significant long-term health concerns that she connects to a COVID-19 vaccine administered in 2021. She has also disclosed that she is dealing with a neurological condition, challenges that have profoundly shaped her perspective and campaigning focus. These medical circumstances prompted her to engage in groups dedicated to vaccine safety and health autonomy, finally directing her to Kennedy’s campaign, which emphasised these issues.

For Sutta, backing Kennedy offered a viable means to magnify the voices of those in the vaccine-injured community who she felt had been sidelined by dominant public conversation. “We didn’t have a opportunity for the vaccine-injured community to get help without him,” she declared, emphasising that her political stance was motivated by personal necessity rather than party politics. This health activism has become central to her public identity, yet it seems to have created professional distance between herself and ex-bandmates who might have wanted to avoid association with such contentious health debates.

Taking Strong Stands on Contentious Issues

Despite the career consequences from her political stance, Sutta has demonstrated no inclination to backing down from her convictions. She remains steadfast in her support for Kennedy and the causes he championed during his 2024 campaign for president, attending rallies, regularly sharing content on social media and speaking publicly about vaccine safety concerns. Rather than moving away from these stances to protect her professional future, Sutta has continued to advocate openly for what she believes in, even as it seems to have resulted in losing a lucrative reunion opportunity with one of her ex-group’s most significant projects.

Sutta’s resistance to soften her position demonstrates a wider conflict in modern entertainment industry, where artists’ personal beliefs increasingly intersect with business success. She has recognised the possible career repercussions of her activism, yet seems committed to place her values first over commercial approval. Her open recognition that association with Kennedy’s views may be perceived as supporting “MAGA” politics reveals her recognition of how her stance is perceived, whilst yet continuing to refuse to express regret about or markedly modify her public advocacy on matters concerning health that she deems personally essential.

• Sutta participated in multiple Kennedy campaign events during 2024’s presidential election
• She has maintained a prominent social media presence advocating for vaccine safety advocacy
• The singer keeps speaking publicly about her own health challenges openly
• Sutta acknowledges her positions could be seen as politically divisive
• She places emphasis on health advocacy ahead of potential professional reconciliation opportunities

A Career Beyond the Group

Whilst the reunion tour exclusion constitutes a notable career disappointment, Sutta has maintained an active career independent of the Pussycat Dolls across the previous two decades. The singer has undertaken solo work, media appearances and sustained live work that have enabled her to maintain her position in the entertainment sector. Her work as a entertainer and public presence has extended well beyond the girl group that initially brought her fame, showcasing her capacity to establish a separate professional persona separate from the ensemble that established her reputation.

Looking ahead, Sutta appears well-placed to continue her campaigning efforts and artistic endeavours irrespective of the reunion tour’s outcome. Her openness in speak frankly about her beliefs, whilst undoubtedly costly in terms of collective harmony, has also established her as an outspoken voice on social and political matters within the entertainment industry. Whether through music, activism or public speaking, Sutta seems determined to maintain her autonomy and explore possibilities aligned with her convictions rather than sacrifice her principles for the sake of commercial reunion.