Michelle Hyslop
An incredible 25 years after they were first formed on the groundbreaking Kiwi reality series Popstars, girl group TrueBliss reunited to perform at the Moana Auckland Festival, wowing the crowd with a mix of hits, covers and gems from their back catalogue – plus a special appearance from their former TV manager Peter Urlich.
Speaking to Woman’s Day just before taking the stage, Erika Takacs marvels, “Still going after 25 years? That sounds like a really good Toyota Corolla! It’s slightly terrifying, but when we reconnect, it’s always so special.
“Popstars was the first of its kind, so we really were guinea pigs and there were a lot of traumas that connected us as young, naïve females in the music industry, but our friendship has grown so much since then and it’s now so much bigger than the show.”
The former RTR Countdown presenter, 46, hosted band-mates Megan Alatini, Joe Cotton and Keri Harper at her Auckland home while they rehearsed.
Erika laughs, “It was like being at band camp. I’ve got four kids, so it was very G-rated, but we had some really deep late-night chats, swam in the pool and watched the Barbie movie.”
Joe, 45, grins, “It feels surreal we’re still doing this. Celebrating 25 years is slightly confronting because we don’t see ourselves as being much older than when we first started. But yes, we’re old – and we’re lucky. There were ups and downs, but overall it was awesome… Well, apart from the fashion. Don’t look at our old videos!”
Having recently left her job as a presenter on More FM Southland, the two-time Celebrity Treasure Island contestant is moving back to Auckland.
Joe says, “As Ronan Keating sings, life is a rollercoaster, but all of us have helped each other through tough times with jobs, kids, marriages and parents. No matter how badly I think I suck, I know they love me – even if I get drunk and fall off a table once or 12 times!”
Having recently undergone a double knee reconstruction after being diagnosed with early-onset arthritis, Keri, 45, agrees. “I couldn’t get by without these girls. As I’ve got older, I’ve got a lot more anxiety, but to know they have my back really helps. There were years when I lived in Aussie and Megan moved to Japan, but we’ve always been in each other’s lives and we know we can share any secret.”
Thinking back to 1999, the Taupō-based mum-of-two says, “I’d love to tell my younger self to grow some balls and not sit in the background, but it’s funny because if we had to do it all over again, at this stage in our lives, I’d be the Karen of the group – a real bitch! The girls tell me I don’t have a lot of patience and I speak my mind. I could’ve used that back in the day.”
Meanwhile, Megan, 47, shares, “These girls have been my support system in some of my most challenging times, where I’ve made questionable decisions or didn’t know what direction I was heading in, but we can always talk it through. They’re my soul sisters.”
Having recently announced her engagement to fiancée Natalie McDade in Woman’s Day, the former NZ Idol judge is also set to become a grandmother, with her and former All Black Pita Alatini’s daughter Tonica announcing her pregnancy late last month.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” admits Megan.
Asked if she’s talked to original TrueBliss member Carly Binding, who left the band in 2000 to pursue a solo career, Megan admits, “I’ve had more contact with her than the other girls. I’ve always had a soft spot for Carly and I can understand some of the decisions she’s made. I’m sad for how things turned out, but she’s so clever and creative.
“I’ve always held out hope that one day we might sing together as a five-piece. I wouldn’t be opposed to that – but some of the other girls might be!”
