Keisha Buchanan Details Personal Struggles Amid Sugababes Resurgence and ‘Masked Singer’ Buzz

Sugababes co-founder Keisha Buchanan has opened up about significant personal struggles, including long-term battles with depression and anxiety, alongside a past damaging relationship. Her candid disclosures emerge as public interest intensifies around the reunited girl group and swirling rumors that Buchanan is a contestant on ITV’s popular competition, ‘Masked Singer.’

The 41-year-old vocalist, who was the last original member to depart Sugababes in 2009 before reuniting with Siobhán Donaghy and Mutya Buena, revealed that much of her private hardship went unreported. Buchanan detailed how a period starting in 2016 brought to light persistent mental health challenges that had impacted her for years. “I’ve dealt with a lot of personal struggles since 2016. A lot of depression and anxiety and things of that nature,” she stated in a recent interview, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

Buchanan’s Candid Revelations on Mental Health

Buchanan, widely speculated to be the ‘Masked Singer’ finalist ‘Moth,’ described herself as a perfectionist, admitting that her mental health struggles led her to start and subsequently shelve numerous projects while out of the public eye. She explained that the period from 2016 marked a critical turning point where “it became more apparent that there was something that didn’t feel right about me.”

Beyond internal battles, Buchanan also alluded to a profoundly damaging relationship, indicating that someone close to her “was greatly impacting” her mental state. Reflecting on the importance of self-care during difficult times, she advised, “I think it’s important that when you are not feeling like yourself or are in difficult situations—whether in friendships, in business, whatever it is—it’s important just to take care of yourself.” These revelations provide a rare glimpse into the private life of a star who has largely kept her personal challenges out of the spotlight, adding a layer of vulnerability to her public persona.

Sugababes’ Enduring Legacy and Reunion

Keisha Buchanan co-founded Sugababes in 1998 with Siobhán Donaghy and Mutya Buena. The trio quickly achieved success, with their debut single, ‘Overload,’ reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart in 2000 and earning a BRIT Award nomination for Best Single. However, the group’s journey was marked by frequent line-up changes and reported internal tensions.

Donaghy departed in 2001, followed by Buena in 2005, who cited postnatal depression and the pressures of touring. Buchanan herself left in September 2009, later clarifying that it was “not her choice” and attributing her departure to a “breakdown in communication and lack of trust.” Despite these shifts, the Sugababes brand continued with new members. The original trio eventually reunited in 2011, successfully reclaiming the Sugababes name in 2019. Since their official reunion, they released ‘The Lost Tapes’ in 2022, an album featuring material recorded between 2011 and 2013, solidifying their return to the music scene.

Navigating Resurgence and Future Plans

Despite the professional triumph of reclaiming the Sugababes name and releasing new music, Buchanan admitted that her ongoing personal issues have made it challenging to fully embrace the group’s resurgence. “My vulnerability and my open heart have led to opening doors to people and things that could definitely destroy a person,” she explained. Buchanan also shared that she is experiencing single life for the first time in many years and has drifted apart from some long-term friendships.

However, she maintains an optimistic outlook for the future, expressing excitement about creating new music with her bandmates. “I decided that I was going to take care of myself. I had so many wonderful things happening. Me and the girls got the name Sugababes back, and we were able to launch music and do some amazing things that we never thought were even on the radar,” Buchanan stated. She concluded by affirming, “I’m looking forward to everything this new chapter brings,” signaling a renewed focus on her well-being and artistic endeavors.

Keisha Buchanan’s decision to share her mental health and relationship struggles at this specific juncture—amid a high-profile television appearance and the continued momentum of the Sugababes’ original lineup—highlights a growing trend of public figures using their platforms to destigmatize personal challenges, thereby reframing their public narrative and fostering a deeper connection with their audience.