‘I’d betrayed the trust of the group’: Former Bardot singer Chantelle Barry confesses to stealing money from Sophie Monk – and reveals what happened when she left the band
She was booted from Bardot mysteriously in 2001 after allegations of stealing.
And almost two decades on, Chantelle Barry has finally opened up about the infamous incident.
Speaking to the Courier Mail on Tuesday, the 46-year-old confessed to stealing her bandmate Sophie Monk’s allowance of $100 which she’d left in an envelope in her room.
‘I’d betrayed the trust of the group’: Bardot singer Chantelle Barry (left) confessed to stealing money from her bandmate Sophie Monk (right) – and reveals what happened when she left the band
‘For so many years I hid from it, I was so ashamed. I did what I did and I never had a chance to give Sophie the money back. We weren’t allowed to see each other anymore,’ she told the publication.
Chantelle went on to say that management offered her money and a solo deal to quit the group.
‘I had to sign a release saying you can never admit it, you can never talk about it, here’s $1000, you’re getting your own deal, be happy. So I was, I’d done this horrible thing but now I have a solo deal,’ she said.
‘I was so ashamed’: She confessed to stealing her bandmate Sophie Monk’s allowance of $100 which she’d left in an envelope in her room
Chantelle explained that the negative experience, which was a ‘shameful burden for many years’, has also helped her grow.
She said: ‘There was never real closure, I see it, I understand. But I did what was best for me and the girls, I’d betrayed the trust of the group.’
She also revealed that she bumped into Sophie when she was at an audition in Los Angeles about four years later and the pair spoke.
It’s over: Chantelle went on to say that management offered her money and a solo deal to quit the group and she was quickly replaced with Tiffani Wood in 2001. Pictured (left to right): Katie Underwood, Sally Polihronas, Sophie, Tiffani and Belinda Chapple
Chantelle, alongside Sophie, Katie Underwood, Belinda Chapple and Sally Polihronas was one of the winners of reality show Popstars until the wrong decision prematurely ended her time in the band.
She was quickly replaced with Tiffani Wood.
It all but ruined her chances at a career in Australia, and in 2001 Chantelle moved to LA to pursue gigs overseas. She managed to nab roles in 90210 and Entourage.
Moving on: Chantelle also revealed that she bumped into Sophie (pictured) when she was at an audition in Los Angeles years later