Bardot member Katie Underwood has responded after online trolls claimed she behaved badly backstage at the aughties girl group’s recent reunion show.
ICYMI, Bardot jointly took to the stage for the first time in almost two decades on Saturday with a performance at the Mighty Hoopla festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
In the aftermath of the set, Underwood said she received “misogynistic abuse” from commenters who claimed she acted like a “complete moll” in the moments before she went on stage.
Taking to Instagram to respond, the singer explained that the pre-show antics had left her feeling a “little stressed”.
“We got backstage half an hour before we were due to go on. All I wanted was a sound check and a microphone,” Underwood said in an Instagram video, per 9Honey.
“There were legit 50 people backstage. I could barely get in the door because it was blocked by so many people,” Underwood continued.
“Also, I was getting really nervous at that point, looking out seeing thousands of people, and because I fucking wanted to do well.”
She went on to explain that the high-stress environment left little room for her to put on a happy face. “Our first show in fucking 25 years, heaven forbid I get a little stressed and don’t have a pleasing face and an acceptable social manner,” she said.
“All I wanted was a sound check and a mic … As a woman I’m expected to look fucking happy all the time. Well, guess what? I wasn’t happy. I was stressed and it showed on my face because I have no game face,” she added.
Addressing the “online bullying” directly, Underwood said she will block any hateful commenters moving forward and told trolls not “fucking kid [themselves]”.
“The moment you put that thought on the page, online, it’s online bullying. Don’t fucking kid yourself, that’s exactly what it is,” Underwood insisted.
The response impacted Underwood’s thoughts on reuniting Bardot again in the future. “If this continues, there’s no fucking way I’m doing a [Bardot] tour if this is the shit I’m going to have to put up with,” she said.
Four out of the five original Bardot members — including Underwood, Belinda Chapple, Sally Polihronas and Tiffani Wood — appeared on stage for the reunion, with Sophie Monk skipping it altogether.
The Mighty Hoopla festival also featured sets from Kesha, Jessica Mauboy, Countess Luann and Delta Goodrem.
Lead images: Instagram and TikTok
