Posts tagged American Music Awards

A few weeks ago when Robby Pardlo, former member of R&B group City High, appeared on Intervention folks gasped at the revelation that one he had this serious alcohol addiction and additionally his depression/addiction was rooted in feelings of betrayal by fellow band mates Ryan & Claudette. Initially at the start of the group’s history Robby & Claudette were an item and eventually parted ways and Claudette went on to have children with and marry Ryan Toby. (DRAMA). In any event, Claudette decided after the negative attention from the A&E special she would set the record straight about her relationship with Robbie, the group’s demise and her future plans.

Thoughts on the A&E Intervention Episode featuring Robbie

I didn’t watch it when it came on but then all this stuff started popping up on the internet & when I decided that I was going to do this interview I had to watch it… I’m being used a scapegoat for his failure… he didn’t appreciate me, City High… I saw him on there talking about the red carpet… he didn’t appreciate the red carpet… I’m 18 years old living my dream, we were nominated for a Grammy & here is Robbie drunk… drunker than I’ve ever seen, I’m hoping we don’t win because I didn’t think he could control himself if we had to go on stage an accept the award. To be ridiculed for something you did is one thing, but for lies & non-sense? That’s not going to work…

Why She Decided To Speak Out

Initially I wasn’t going to say anything… & I think that stemmed from fear because of the relationship I had with Robbie… it was an abusive one. He portrayed it like it was a “lovely romance” & it wasn’t. I just want to move on & put things behind me. Other people may be in the same position I was in… & if you don’t eventually stand up for yourself it can carry on for the next 12 years… like in my case. It was time to tell the truth… the truth that he so conveniently left out in the intervention.

About her relationship with Robbie & how it ended

At first it started with me finding out about other girls… I stayed through that… I’m sure every woman can relate to believing a man lying to you about cheating, even when all the signs were right in my face… & that caused problems but it was the drunken fits that really scared me & made want to end our relationship…// We were working on the album & it was rare for him not to be drunk… My management asked me not break up with him (he knows this) but it just became too difficult for me. Going on the road, recording… it was terrible. We were in Hit Factory & I remember him walking past me & he said “so this it, we over?” & I said “yes“.

The group’s breakup & Who’s To Blame

[The biggest misconception is] that the group broke up because of me or my actions. After I had my first son & it was time to start recording the second album, I said to myself I couldn’t do it… I couldn’t be in this group with him anymore… that would mean spending time around him, my son would be around him… & I didn’t want that. So I spoke with my manager & Ryan… it was a hard decision to make but I prayed about it. I left the group in June 2003… he knows my reasons… he wanted to stay in the group… maybe that’s why he blames me. But if me leaving because I didn’t want to deal with the nightmare anymore is a bad thing, then I’ll take that. I’d been dealing with it since 1998 all the way through to 2003. I don’t know many solid women that can deal with that for so long… I even initially took the blame… I remember doing the Wendy Williams show & accepting all responsibility for the breakup because I didn’t want to talk about the truth… I don’t think he expected me to say anything… but I’m not that little girl anymore. I’m not weak, I’m a grown woman. I have children, got married, divorced… you have to stand up for yourself & that’s what I’m doing.

For the rest of the story, go to She Is…

In case you missed the A&E episode check it out here.