Ricki-Lee Coulter breaks her silence on what led to the end of her girl group Young Divas

Ricki-Lee Coulter has described how her popular girl group, Young Divas, eventually fell apart.

The original Young Divas lineup, consisting of old-school Idol alumni Kate DeAraugo, Emily Williams, Paulini Curuenavuli, and Ricki-Lee, enjoyed huge success in the mid-2000s with cover versions of camp club classics.

They formed in 2006, but in 2007 Ricki-Lee left her amid rumors of power struggles in the group.

Talking to the Chart Beats podcast, the 37-year-old says the bust was ultimately between her and one of the band’s bosses.

It came to a head when Ricki-Lee, exhausted by the band’s relentless schedule, developed a throat problem and asked for time off.

“I had to talk to one of the guys in charge. I went into a room backstage on my own without the girls,” she said.

‘He was so furious. He lost his mind. I am a 20 year old girl having an adult conversation with an adult man.

“He was yelling, yelling, then he threw a sandwich in my face. That’s so wrong! Come on man.’

Ricki-Lee added, “That was the end of it for me. My voice is my career, and that’s how you’re going to respond? I felt so embarrassed for him.’

They formed in 2006, but in 2007 Ricki-Lee left her amid rumors of power struggles in the group. Speaking to the Chart Beats podcast, the 37-year-old says the bust was ultimately between her and one of the band’s bosses. In the photo in 2006

The Young Divas debuted in 2006 with a cover of Donna Summer’s 1989 hit This Time I Know It’s for Real.

The dancey remake reached No. 2 on the ARIA Charts and was certified Platinum.

Their self-titled debut album was also a huge hit, going double platinum on the charts.

In 2007, Ricki-Lee left the group to focus on her solo career.

She tells Chart Beats that there was “no real dirt” between her and the other girls, but that she “felt like other people didn’t take it as seriously as I did.”

Emily Williams has previously admitted it was a “turbulent time” when Coulter left the group, but that the experience taught her to “work closely with other women.”

It came to a head when Ricki-Lee, exhausted by the band’s relentless schedule, developed a throat problem and asked for time off. Jessica Mauboy (left) replaced Ricki-Lee after she left the group.

“Being a part of Young Divas was a hugely important time in my life, personally and also in my career,” Emily told Daily Mail Australia in 2019.

“It taught me to work closely with other women and it taught me a lot about the industry.”

Emily confirmed rumors of feuding within the group, but said it was to be expected as the women all had “such big personalities.”

‘Was it all roses? No. Yes, there were fights, yes, there were tears. But let’s face it, it would never be all smiles with such great personalities.’

Coulter was replaced by Jessica Mauboy, who had just finished runner-up to Irish crooner Damien Leith on the fourth season of Australian Idol.

The group broke up for good in 2009 and all members went in very different directions.

In 2007, Ricki-Lee left the group to focus on her solo career