Just weeks ago, En Vogue closed out the 2020 Billboard Awards with a jawdropping performance of their hit song ‘Free Your Mind’ that left fans stunned.
The iconic group which has been a trio for quite some time–took a pause from the trio to reunite as a supergroup at last year’s City of Hope gala to honor industry legend Sylvia Rhone.
All five members (including all 4 originals Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones) and Rhona Bennett–who joined the group later, came back together for the one-night event.
As fans know, In 2003, Rhona joined the iconic group for a five-year tenure until leaving the group in 2008/2009 with the return of original member Dawn Robinson for the groups 20 year anniversary and touring.
In 2012, Rhona returned and has been performing with the group off and on ever since.
Following the 2019 reunion performance, the ladies were in talks to do a full group reunion in 2020 in honor of their 30 year anniversary but things went left internally–and due to the pandemic.
Now, Dawn is speaking out on what she says happened. She also says she would still be down for a full reunion, but only the original members–not Rhona.
Get into it all around the 9:20 and 40:30 marks below.
YouKnowIGotSoul: You had just begun doing shows with Maxine as part of The Funky Divas before the pandemic started. Was it disappointing having to put a pause on that?
Dawn Robinson: That kind of fell apart for a different reason. It was a personal situation that happened between her and I. I know it happened a long time ago but it was something I couldn’t let go. I just couldn’t trust her after that, so it was just personal with me. I always say this. Also Cindy and Terry were trying to get the name Funky Divas. They don’t go by Funky Divas, they go by En Vogue. I left in 1997, I came back to the group in 2009 for our 20 year anniversary and we toured the states and overseas. I don’t understand why they’re fighting to get the name. I thought they were being nasty and vicious. I just said the hell with it. Every time I try to go back and do something with them it just blows up. Some things are just better left undone and finished.
YouKnowIGotSoul: You mentioned earlier that En Vogue is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the debut album this year. Will there ever be a reunion to do new music?
Dawn Robinson: I won’t say never. My problem is Rhona being there. I think she’s great, she has never done anything to me, she’s not a bad person at all. I do know that she needs to step back if we are going to do a reunion at all. It just needs to be the four of us. Cindy and Terry have gone out and spent time with the fans this whole time representing the group. They use the name Maxine and I helped build to share with the fans. But Maxine and I have not had the chance to be with the fans. I just think we deserve the time with our fans for what we helped build before Rhona came along.
Would you be here for a full En Vogue reunion or one with just the originals.
