THE groups shot to fame in 2001 after both starring on Popstars and the competition between them appeared relentless.
Despite their intense rivalry it was announced earlier this month that Hear’Say and Liberty X are set for a reunion tour in 2027.
But, Michelle Heaton’s recent bombshell revelations could throw a spanner in the works.
She discussed the treatment Liberty X faced at the hands of Hear’Say, confessing their words felt “harsh” and that they’d changed from the “five people they’d met during the auditions”.
Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, Michelle, 47, addressed who really called Liberty X the “flopstars.”
She said: “I believe it was Hear’Say… There was a wall from the get-go as soon as we released that we were gonna be a band and start to release music we were constantly battled against each other.
“Flopstars, the wannabes, the five losers. And it was evident that they wanted us to fail.
“It felt really harsh. We didn’t know how to navigate it. It felt like it wasn’t the five people we met in the audition process and through all of this all I sort of wanted to do was reach out to Suzanne…
“At no point did I see what we were doing as hanging on their coattails.”
According to a well-placed source Michelle’s public comments are said to have caused a bit of stir behind the scenes.
They said: “Michelle doesn’t regret talking about the past but it probably wasn’t the best timing.
“Things between Liberty X and Hear’Say were slightly frosty when they came together in person for the first time since agreeing to the tour but they’re adults and this is business.
“Michelle and Suzanne in particular were very close during Popstars The Rivals and both were hurt when the friendship fizzled afterwards.
“She made it clear earlier this year that she felt let down by Suzanne at the time and that was hard for Suzanne to hear.”
“They’re both trying to put it behind them for the sake of their bandmates but neither are prepared to admit they were in the wrong – then or now,” added The Sun’s source.
“It’s created a bit of an awkward atmosphere that the others are hoping will be resolved before it gets out of hand.”
Michelle fell out with Hear’Say’s Suzanne Shaw after they grew close on Popstars 25 years ago.
Insiders told us that while Michelle went on to have a successful career, she still remains “deeply hurt” by the rift between her and Suzanne and the cruel jabs she was subjected to by the rest of the group.
“Michelle isn’t one to hold grudges, but on the few occasions she has spoken about Suzanne, she’s made it clear that she’ll never get over some of the things she’s supposed to have said about her and the rest of Liberty X,” said a source.
The Sun has reached out to reps for Hear’Say and Liberty X for comment.
“There is no awkwardness in the bands,” they told us.
Hear’Say split in 2002 – less than two years after winning the show and the release of their debut single Pure and Simple – with lead singer Kym, 49, jumping ship months earlier due to bitter feuds with her bandmates.
In contrast, Liberty X enjoyed huge success, selling more than three million records and even bagging a Brit Award in 2003 for their iconic hit Just A Little.
While they haven’t released new music since 2007, the group officially reunited in 2012 for The Big Reunion, and Michelle, Kelli, 44, and Jessica, 45, are still performing together.
Aside from music, Michelle has carved out a TV career with appearances on shows like Dancing On Ice and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Hear’Say and Liberty X have now teamed up to embark on a 13-date arena tour next year.
All five members of Liberty X — Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young, Jessica Taylor, Kevin Simm and Tony Lundon — will return, while Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan, Kym Marsh, and Danny Foster will make up Hear’Say, with Myleene Klass so far rejecting the offer.
The 13 reunion shows will kick off at Dublin’s 3Arena on April 17 next year, before gigs across the UK including in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester.