Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton has told how she was once ordered to perform “or be sued”. Natasha, 41 – part of the chart-topping girl group’s original line-up with Kerry Katona and Liz McClarnon – claims the trio were “worked to the bone” and “no one cared” about their mental health. But the mum-of-five says she has now put the trauma of it all behind her – and is finally releasing her debut solo album, 25 years on.
Natasha said: “The hardest thing about Atomic Kitten ? We were worked to the bone, there was nothing of us left to give. “That’s why so many bands disbanded – the pressure was intense. By the end, I had a doctor say, ‘She needs 12 months off, she’s mentally and physically exhausted.
She has postnatal depression, she needs time to heal’. From left: Natasha Hamilton, Kerry Katona and Liz McLarnon were the trio that made up the 90s girl band, Atomic Kitten ( Image: Getty Images) “The response I got was, ‘She needs to do this gig or she’ll be sued’. Mental health was not a priority 20 years ago.
No one cared. “I mean it when I say I wouldn’t relive those years. They were traumatic.
I’ve had an amazing life, but I’d not want to do it again. “It’s been a crazy ride. But I’m not in my trauma era any more – I’m loving life.
” After walking away from the band, Natasha tried to become a solo artist several times but was repeatedly tripped up – including by one manager who demanded cash upfront. 'I'm a TV writer.
