It’s been 14-years since Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton were in a girl group by the name of 3LW — and for those of you familiar with their story, then you know things between the ladies didn’t end well.
Fast-forward to 2017 and Adrienne Bailon is co-hosting ‘The Real,’ Naturi Naughton is doing the actress thing, and Kiely Williams is living life under the radar.
On an episode of ‘The Real’ this week, Naturi stopped by to talk about her pregnancy and projects she has in the works and Adrienne used it as an opportunity to publicly put their girl group drama behind them.
According to Adrienne, she and Naturi had a ‘moment’ a few years ago and they were able to talk it out in private.
“It was crazy ‘cause when you know, going through what I went through with the group, it wasn’t easy, it was a hard time,” Naturi said. “And everything with being a teenager and being criticized — I went through a time, where I didn’t really think I could make it. And I appreciate your apology because it’s just humility. And at it the end of the day, we have to love and support each other.”
We’re happy to see these ladies work things out!
Now — for those of you who need a little more backstory, here’s what went down with the breakup of 3LW back in the day:
“There was an argument between me and Michelle [Williams],” [Naturi] told MTV News, referring to the group’s manager, who is also member Kiely Williams’ mother. “And Kiely and Adrienne [Bailon, the group’s third member,] are cursing me out, and before I know it, Kiely throws her plate of food all in my face — mashed potatoes, macaroni all in my hair, down my clothes, messing up my [hair]do! Nobody has the right to hit me. That’s not what I’m here for, … to be physically abused. So I said, ‘Get me a flight back to Newark, New Jersey,’ and they wouldn’t even help me get a ticket.”
The remaining members of 3LW denied Naturi’s account of what happened in a statement via their label.
“We’ve been disappointed by the comments Naturi has made. … Like most girlfriends, we’ve had our share of differences. However, at no time was Naturi subjected to any physical abuse. We totally deny claims made against us.”
Naturi later claimed that there were longstanding problems between her and 3LW’s management.
“For a long time the girls of 3LW were tight — that wasn’t the problem,” she said. “It was a push by management, who always had something about Naturi. They said, ‘We need to get her out, you guys would be better off.’ As if I’m bringing the group down and holding them back. All this stuff about how I don’t fit the Girl Can Mack image. But I think it’s crazy that they were trying to split up what was strong, what was successful. And they did it.”
She said efforts to force her out included complaints about her choice of clothing, decisions to keep her from singing on upcoming songs, and even a suggestion that Naughton announce her plans to leave the group in order to attend college. The singer said she tried to smooth things over but that she refused to cooperate with any cover-up. “The fans are gonna know that that’s a lie. And I don’t think I should have to lie to protect the 3LW image. That doesn’t benefit me.”
“If I think something is wrong, I’m going to say it,” Naughton continued. “And my opinion might have challenged the amount of control Michelle Williams had. Whenever any member of 3LW, not just me, challenged her, they were bound to get in trouble. … I remember conversations where Adrienne said, ‘Don’t say anything. I’m not saying anything. I’m not getting kicked out of the group.’ And when I heard that, I’m like, ‘Aren’t we supposed to be in this to make the fans happy, to make records, to sing, to dance?’ That’s why I’m here. Why is it that we’re trying to impress management if we’re selling records.”
And ultimately Naturi says she felt pressure to leave — so she left.
