Bardot

Bardot was an Australian female pop group which formed in 1999 on the original Australian reality television series of Popstars. Aired in early 2000, the program was a fresh concept to audiences, attracting high ratings and much hype in the media. This resulted in the instant success of their debut single "Poison" and debut album Bardot, both entering the Australian and New Zealand charts at number 1 and highly in parts of Asia. In 2001, Bardot released their second album Play it Like That, featuring the Top 5 ARIA singles "ASAP" and "I Need Somebody", with greater creative control and this resulted in many strong reviews. Despite making the "mutual decision" to part ways in 2002, it remains the most successful act of all four Australian Popstars seasons.

The members of Bardot were selected on the Seven Network's first series of Popstars, a talent show which set about producing a five-piece girl group. The series was only second to the New Zealand version which produced the group True Bliss. The act would be sponsored by the Austereo radio network, New Idea magazine and signed to Warner Music. In 1999, over 2,500 hopefuls turned up to auditions around the country which required both singing and dancing experience.[1] The judges consisted of radio broadcaster, Jackie O, Warner Music executive, Chris Moss, and Grant Thomas Management manager Michael Napthali (who would manage the group's career).

After numerous elimination rounds, Chantelle Barry, Belinda Chapple, Sophie Monk, Sally Polihronas and Katie Underwood were chosen and given tickets to fly to Sydney to record their debut single. The girls moved in together, although controversy occurred when Barry suddenly departed the group with no formal explanation. Rumours in magazines and newspapers suggested she had been caught stealing items from other members. Six years later in 2006, Barry appeared on the program Where Are They Now, to speak for the first time over the incident. She claimed to have accidentally kept Monk's money allowance with the intention of giving it back to her, but forgot to do this and was therefore removed from the group.[2] As a result of her departure, judges selected Newcastle singer, Tiffany Wood (now spelt Tiffani Wood) as the fifth member. The group decided to name themselves Bardot, after the French actress Brigitte Bardot. The program followed the group during its recording sessions, photo and music video shoots and other promotional commitments such as showcases and instores.