Why Did All Of Our Favorite Girl Groups Break Up?

These talented ladies knew how to harmonize everywhere except within their relationships with each other.

Most of us remember the stories of why TLC, Spice Girls and Destiny's Child broke up.

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes tragically died in 2002. Geri Halliwell split in 1999, and the rest of the Spice Girls followed suit shortly after. Beyoncé is Beyoncé now, which needs little other explanation.

In this current landscape sorely lacking in girl groups (Fifth Harmony is the only one this side of Asia doing anything major at the moment), it's easy to forget that the pop and R&B music worlds used to be dominated by girl groups other than the three just mentioned, each with their own flavor, attitude and brand of hits.

Below, we took a look at some of the most noteworthy but often overlooked groups and how they met their untimely demise. Spoiler alert: it generally had to do with jealousy over who sang lead, shady business deals and sometimes even physical fights. Can't we all just get along?

3LW

Epic Records/Sony / Via youtube.com

Active: 2000–2007

Members: Kiely Williams, Adrienne Bailon, Naturi Naughton (2000–2002), Jessica Benson (2003–2007)

Origins: 3LW (3 Little Women) began as a vehicle for Kiely Williams, masterminded by her sister Michelle (no relation to the DC3 singer) to help her daughter become a star. Adrienne Bailon and Naturi Naughton were selected as the other two members. The group made a splash in 2000 with hits like "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" and "Playas Gon' Play." At their height, they toured the U.S. on MTV's TRL Tour with the likes of Destiny's Child, Eve and Nelly.

Why They Broke Up: Naturi departed the group first, just weeks before the group's sophomore album A Girl Can Mack was scheduled to be released. Prior to her departure, Naturi had been involved in a back and forth with management and her group members. Naturi later appeared on Wendy Williams' radio show and spilled all the tea, claiming that Kiely had thrown a hot plate of KFC at her face. She went on to add that their manager had pressured Naturi to enter into a sexual relationship with a rapper to give the group more street cred.

The other two members embarked on an embarrassing period of promoting the album as a duo, filming a video and releasing an ill-advised slutty Christmas album, leading to widespread ridicule (the mock name "2LW" was thrown around). They held auditions in early 2003 for a replacement, and eventually hired Jessica Benson.

3LW were dropped from their record label Epic, but found a new home with So So Def in 2006. They recorded a third album that was never released, as Adrienne and Kiely had become members of The Cheetah Girls and left poor Jessica in the dust. The group effectively disbanded in 2007.

Where Are They Now?: Adrienne is probably the most visible member these days, holding a panel position on talk show The Real and has appeared on a number of reality shows. Naughton has shifted attention to acting, appearing as Lil' Kim in Notorious and currently starring in the TV series Power. After a bizarre attempt at a solo career with the risky sex anthem "Spectacular," Kiely has fallen into obscurity.

702

Motown Records/UMG / Via youtube.com

Active: (1993–2006)

Members: Irish Grinstead, LeMisha Grinstead, Kameelah Williams (1996–2001; 2003–2004), Orish Grinstead (1993–1996; 2006), Amelia Childs (1994), Cree Lamore (2001)

Origins: LeMisha Grinstead and her younger twin sisters Irish and Orish were discovered by comedian Sinbad singing in the lobby of Ceasar's Palace in their hometown Las Vegas. The connection linked them up with Michael Bivins, former member of Bell Biv DeVoe-turned-record executive. The sisters, along with their cousin Amelia Childs, recorded a song with boy band Subway entitled "This Lil' Game We Play" which was a minor hit. As the girls went into album cycle, both Amelia and Orish decided to leave the group, being replaced with friend Kameelah Williams.

702's debut album featured the hits "Steelo" (featuring Missy Elliott) and "Get It Together." In 1999, they scored the biggest hit of their careers, the Elliott-penned "Where My Girls At."

Why They Broke Up: Meelah left the group in 2001, briefly becoming a member of fellow girl group Total before being signed to Faith Evans' management company in an attempt at a solo career. The Grinstead sisters replaced her with Cree Lamore for a song on the Pootie Tangin' soundtrack.

In 2003, the group's most popular lineup once again came together to release their third album, Star. With production from The Neptunes and She'kspere, the album was warmly received but didn't make much of an impact on the charts and the group once again disbanded.

Meelah has alluded that differences between she and the sisters and business drama led to her repeated departures from the group.

Where Are They Now?: Both LeMisha and Meelah have released solo material sporadically. Meelah also appeared on the show R&B Divas: Atlanta, documented her relationship with her baby's father Musiq Soulchild. Orish tragically died in 2008 at age 27 due to kidney failure.

Meelah, LeMisha and Irish reunited in 2013 for a one-off concert date that featured other '90s R&B acts.

Danity Kane

Bad Boy Records/WMG / Via youtube.com

Active: 2005–2009; 2013–2014

Members: Shannon Bex, Aubrey O'Day, Dawn Richard, Aundrea Fimbres (2005–2009; 2013–early 2014), Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett (2005–2009)

Origins: The beginnings of Danity Kane were documented on MTV's Making the Band 3, in which Sean "Puffy" Combs aimed to construct a pop/R&B girl group. Eventually, five girls were chosen for the band, which eventually were named Danity Kane (named after a superhero Dawn had created and whose name contained elements of each of the five girls').

The group was filmed recording their debut album and released it in 2006, along with the hit single "Showstopper." They also toured with Christina Aguilera and The Pussycat Dolls that same year.

Why They Broke Up: Almost from the very beginning, the group was plagued with rumors of an impending breakup, largely due to their perceived lack of personal chemistry and each of the members' desires to go solo (particularly, Aubrey). The group did stay together through 2009, releasing their sophomore effort Welcome to the Dollhouse that featured their biggest hit, "Damaged."

While filming Making the Band, Combs called the girls in for a meeting in which he asked them point blank if they were having problems. Aubrey and Aundrea, who early on in the group's history were close friends, had virtually stopped speaking, while D. Woods, Aubrey and Dawn were all accused of prioritizing their own solo ambitions over the group. Combs fired Aubrey and D. Woods on the spot, and the rest of the girls fulfilled their promotional obligations as a trio before being let out of their contracts in 2009.

Richard joined Combs' one-off project Dirty Money in 2010, while O'Day pursued reality TV opportunities. The rest of the girls were relatively quiet, until 2013 when Dawn, Aubrey, Aundrea and Shannon were spotted by TMZ amid plans to reunite. Woods claimed she had not been asked to join them; the other girls refuted this.

In the midst of recording their third album, Aundrea abruptly decided she no longer wished to continue with the group. They soldiered on once again as a trio, embarking on a tour and recording more music. Before the album was released, Dawn and Aubrey were involved in a physical altercation that ended the group for a second time.

Where Are They Now?: The ill-fated reunion album DK3 did eventually come out, though with no group to promote it, it went largely unnoticed. Dawn has resumed a solo career while Aubrey and Shannon formed an electro-pop duo called dumblonde.

En Vogue

eastwest Records/WMG / Via youtube.com

Active: (1989–present, sort of)

Members: Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones (1989–2001; 2005–2012) Dawn Robinson (1989–1997; 2005; 2008–2012), Rhona Bennett (2002–2005; 2006–2008; 2012–present), Amanda Cole (2001–2002)

Origins: The production duo Foster & McElroy held auditions in the late '80s, hoping to form a group in the image of '60s soul and doo-wop groups. The original lineup of Terry, Cindy, Maxine and Dawn began recording their debut Born to Sing in 1989, which spawned the hit single "Hold On."

The group's sophomore album Funky Divas was their breakthrough, featuring "My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It)" and "Giving Him Something He Can Feel." The group also recorded a smash single with Salt 'n Pepa, "Whatta Man."

Why They Broke Up: En Vogue recorded "Don't Let Go (Love)" for the Set It Off soundtrack, which would become the group's biggest hit ever. It also was to be the last track to feature Dawn, who left the group for the first (of many) times in 1997 due to contractual disputes. The group scrambled to re-record much of their third album, EV3, as a trio.

After Dawn's departure, the group went on a hiatus before starting a dizzying period in the 2000s with a revolving door of members. Jones left in 2001, being replaced for one album with Amanda Cole. Later, Rhona Bennett would join the group. The original four-woman lineup reunited briefly in 2005, but Robinson would again leave due to disputes over money. Rhona rejoined the lineup, this time as a quartet. Since then, Dawn and Rhona have alternated spots in the lineup until around 2012, when Dawn and Maxine both left the group for a final time.

Where Are They Now?: The two factions of En Vogue (Terry and Cindy vs. Maxine and Dawn) have endured an ugly battle over the rights to the name, at various times performing with other members on tour. A court ruling in 2012 determined only Terry and Cindy had rights to the name, and they have recorded and toured sporadically with Rhona since. The group has also been hit with a lawsuit over their failed reunion by their one-time label.

Dawn appeared for a season on R&B Divas: LA. She and Maxine are both now pursuing solo careers.

Pussycat Dolls

Interscope Records / Via youtube.com

Active: 2003–2010

Members: Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar (2003–2008), Kaya Jones (2003–2005), Cyia Batten (2003–2004), Kasey Campbell (2003–2004)

Origins: The Pussycat Dolls came to fruition in the form of a burlesque dance troupe in the mid '90s. The brainchild of Robin Antin, the original dance-only iteration of the group featured a rotating cast of performers, including major stars like Christina Aguilera, Christina Applegate and Carmen Electra. Antin took the idea of turning the concept into a pop group to Interscope Records in 2003. Several members of the troupe joined on as part of the group's next chapter. Singers Nicole Scherzinger (who had previously appeared on the reality singing competition Popstars), Melody Thornton and Kaya Jones were also added to the lineup. Electra, Aguilera and Applegate did not participate.

Jones, along with original troupe members Cyia Batten and Kasey Campbell, departed the group before the release of their debut album. Led vocally by Scherzinger (and minor contributions from Melody and Carmit Bachar), the group scored hits like "Don't Cha," "Buttons" and "Beep."

The group embarked on their own headlining tour in 2005, and supported Christina Aguilera during her 2006 run.

Why They Broke Up: Nicole originally opted to focus on a solo effort in 2007, but after the release of a handful of singles that failed to make an impact, she rejoined the group.

Carmit announced she would be leaving the group in 2008. The group then continued as a quintet, releasing Doll Domination later that year, which contained the hit "When I Grow Up." It has been suggested that much of the material that ended up on this album was originally intended for Nicole's solo album.

A repackaged version of the album was released in 2009, which attempted to give some of the other girls in the group some shine. However, when the singles from this re-release again emphasized Nicole (at times even crediting her as a featured artist), the group began to openly show signs of discord, with Melody making a snarky remark about the situation during one of the group's tour dates.

By 2010, the group had split. Most of the members have spoken out since about the role Nicole played in the group's demise, due to her inflated ego and willingness to do anything for the spotlight. For her part, Nicole admitted in a Behind the Music episode that she completed virtually the entirety of both PCD albums before the other girls had even set foot in the studio.

Where Are They Now?: Nicole has resumed a solo career, and has found some success overseas, though it continues to elude her stateside. She's also become a fixture on reality competitions, like Dancing With the Stars, I Can Do That, and as a host on The X Factor (both in the US and the UK). She most recently dropped out of a London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, reportedly because she wanted her name placed above the marquee and the producers refused.

The other members have all had mild success as independent dance artists.

SWV

RCA Records / Via youtube.com

Active: 1991–1998, 2005–present

Members: Cheryl "Coko" Gamble-Clemons, Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George, Leanne "LeLee" Lyons

Origins: Leanne Lyons wanted to form a singing group with her friend Coko Gamble, who had grown up with her in The Bronx. The ladies made a friend in Brooklyn-bred Tamara Johnson, and the group S(isters)W(ith)V(oices) was born. The trio recorded a demo which they sent to record labels along with bottles of Perrier because they couldn't afford champagne. RCA signed them to an eight-album deal in 1991.

Their debut album It's About Time was released in 1992 and spawned several hits, including "I'm So Into You," "Right Here (Human Nature)" and "Weak." The success of the album led to a remix EP released the following year.

In 1996, the group released New Beginning, featuring songs like "You're the One" and "It's All About U." The album was notable because LeLee and Taj began to share lead vocal duties with Coko, though the latter remained the focal point of the group.

In 1997, the group released their third album Release Some Tension featuring a star-studded list of rappers and featured the singles "Can We" and "Rain."

Why They Broke Up: As is usually the issue, the fact that Coko was emphasized over the other girls played a role in the discord of the group. Not only did the other girls desire to have more exposure within the group, Coko grew resentful of shouldering most of the work. At one point, she angled to get a contract that drew in more money for herself than the other girls.

A series of miscommunications between the once-close friends led to them not trusting each other. As LeLee grew depressed and began missing show dates, the label pushed to replace her, although the other remembers refused. In 1998 with the group's relationships in shambles, Coko elected to go solo instead, releasing an underperforming solo album in 1999 and pursuing a gospel career after.

While Taj found some peace by working as a model and marrying former pro football player Eddie George, LeLee contemplated suicide at her lowest moment when she'd run out of money and felt she had nowhere else to go.

Where Are They Now?: LeLee came out of the other side of her depression and began working an accounting job. Taj appeared on a season of Survivor, placing second. The group eventually reunited in 2005 for sporadic concerts and in 2011 released an album, I Missed Us. The group's continued struggles to regain traction in the industry and also learn to trust each other again from past issues were documented in a reality series SWV Reunited from 2014–2015. They released their sixth album Still this past February.

Total

youtube.com / Via Bad Boy Records

Active: 1994–2001, 2014–present

Members: Kima Raynor, Keisha Spivey-Epps, Pam Long

Origins: Friends Kima Raynor and Keisha Spivey grew up together in New Jersey. When they got the idea to form a group, they decided they would need a third member. On a chance encounter with Pam Long at a recording studio, the girls convinced the Edison, NJ-hailing Pam to join them. Months later, they accosted Sean "Puffy" Combs as he was leaving a studio session under the name Total Opposites. He eventually signed them, crafting a sassy, around-the-way image for the girls (to go along with the "Bad Boy/Bad Girl" theme) and enlisted the girls to do backgrounds on some of The Notorious B.I.G.'s earliest hits, including "Juicy" and the album and hip hop remix versions of "One More Chance."

Biggie repaid the favor by appearing on the group's debut single, "Can't You See," which appeared on the Jersey Drive soundtrack in 1995. Total released their self-titled debut the following year, which also included the hits "Kissing You" and "No One Else" (plus its bad ass female rapper-led remix).

While they recorded their sophomore album, Total became well-known for providing the hooks on some of the era's biggest hip hop hits, including LL Cool J's "Loungin' (Who Do Ya Luv)," Mase's "What You Want" and Foxy Brown's "I Can't." They also contributed a song to the Soul Food soundtrack, "What About Us" featuring Missy Elliott that proved to be one of their biggest hits.

Missy Elliott was brought in to co-executive produce Kima, Keisha & Pam, which featured the singles "Trippin'" and "Sittin' Home."

Why They Broke Up: Seemingly at the height of their careers, Total mysteriously disappeared from the spotlight. They contributed vocals to a few more projects, including Gang Starr's "Discipline" and Tony Touch's "I Wonder Why (He's the Greatest DJ)" before ghosting.

Pam has hinted that there were internal issues, citing that she wasn't happy with herself at the time, and that there were also issues going on behind the scenes at Bad Boy. Kima was the first to split from the group, electing to help her sister Vita (who was signed to Murder Inc. at the time) get her career started. A song titled "Let Me Breathe," long scrubbed from the internet, leaked in the early 2000s under the Total name but with Meelah of 702 in Kima's place. This iteration of the group never formally released anything.

Where Are They Now?: The group remained friends despite the breakup. Pam became a born-again Christian and pursued sporadic solo opportunities. Keisha married actor Omar Epps in 2006. Kima has also recorded sparingly as a solo artist, usually with Vita.

Pam and Kima reunited under the Total name in 2014 to perform dates in the UK. As of May 2016, all three girls are back together performing on the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour.

Xscape

So So Def Records / Via youtube.com

Active: 1991–2001; 2005

Members: LaTocha Scott, Tamika Scott, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle-Harris, Kandi Burruss-Tucker (1991–1998), Tamera Coggins-Wynn (1991), Kiesha Miles (2005)

Origins: Many of Xscape's members had musical legacies, with the Scott sisters' father and uncles comprising Scott Three in the '70s, while Tiny's father and uncle were both members of The Tams. Along with their Tri-Cities Performing Arts High School friends Kandi Burruss and Tamera Coggins, the group formed. Shortly thereafter, Tamera was asked to leave the group by a former manager.

As a quartet, Xscape were discovered by Jermaine Dupri, who had just launched the successful careers of Kris Kross, at a festival in their native Atlanta. The group was signed to So So Def, and began recording their debut Hummin' Comin' at Cha while perpetuating a hardcore look. The album was a critical and commercial success, with particular attention paid to the fact that all four girls were capable vocalists and shared co-lead responsibilities on most of the songs. "Just Kickin' It" and "Understanding" proved to be big hits.

The group released their sophomore album Off the Hook, featuring "Feels So Good" and "Who Can I Run To." As was the trend at the time, the girls shed their more tomboyish vibe in favor of sexier outfits and attitude. The following year they appeared on MC Lyte's "Keep On Keepin' On."

By 1998, the girls were not on great terms, but soldiered on to release their third album Traces of My Lipstick. It featured two major hits, "The Arms of the One Who Loves You" and "My Little Secret."

Why They Broke Up: A cold war began brewing among two factions: Kandi (and to a lesser degree, Tiny) vs. the sisters. Tamika later claimed that when Kandi entered into a sexual relationship with their producer Jermaine Dupri, she believed it entitled her to more leads. Kandi refuted this, saying her relationship with JD never had any intended bearing on the group. Tensions came to a head when Kandi and LaTocha engaged in a physical fight while recording the album.

By the time the last album had been completed, LaTocha was being groomed for a solo career, which she matter-of-factly revealed to the girls in the midst of their promotional obligations. Instead of waiting around for what was to come next, Kandi elected to leave the group. The group's reign came to a bitter end despite them never having sold less than a million copies of an album.

When attempts at breaking LaTocha as a solo artist failed, she returned to the group (now a trio), who recorded a handful of songs and features until 2001, when they officially broke up. A reunion sans Kandi and with a new member, Kiesha Miles, yielded the song "What's Up" in 2005, but another album never materialized due to business disagreements.

Where Are They Now?: Kandi began a successful songwriting career. She won a Grammy for writing TLC's "No Scrubs" (along with Tiny) and penned hits for countless other acts like Destiny's Child, Pink and more. She also had a minor solo hit with "Don't Think I'm Not" in 2000. She's best known today as a long-running cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Tiny married rapper T.I., with whom she now has a large blended family. She has appeared on various reality shows, including T.I.'s Family Business.

The Scott sisters have recorded solo efforts sporadically, and LaTocha appeared on R&B Divas: Atlanta, but they have yet to receive the level of post-Xscape fame of the other two members.