TrueBliss back on stage at Pride Parade

TrueBliss back on stage at Pride Parade

It's been 17 years since New Zealand band TrueBliss topped the charts.

But tonight's the night the '90s girl group will reunite for Auckland's Pride Parade.

It's a format that went global, making celebrities out of everyday people with a passion for singing.

But it started with the programme Popstars back in 1999. It followed hopefuls through an audition process to become New Zealand's version of the Spice Girls -- TrueBliss.

"When we were asked to be involved with pride we said of course, but let's check with our husbands, our kids and our jobs," says Megan Alatini.

"It's weird but I feel so at home when I'm among the LGBT community. They are so much better than, no offence, but Ponsonby snobs," says Joe Cotton.

Popstars the show was franchised worldwide. Simon Cowell even thanked TrueBliss in his autobiography.

And that's a recurring theme in the story of TrueBliss, despite the public perception they were living the life of the rich and famous.

"We were all a little bit naïve; we were extremely green and naïve," says Kerry Harper.

Ms Cotton also told Newshub they were only getting paid $25 a day.

The band have fond memories of just how big TrueBliss were in 1999.

"It wasn't just young kids; it was parents mums dads, grandparents," says Ms Cotton.

They've put up with a lot of hate over the years, but the message now to their critics is simple.

"Yeah I was in TrueBliss and that was awesome. If you're not on our train then piss off," says Ms Cotton.

And that message is reflected in their reasons for performing at pride tonight.

"It's really about pride and saying, 'Hey if you've been through the tough times like we have, let's stick that in the background and have a good time!'" says Ms Alatini.

And luckily, their stage tonight doesn't have any walls.

Newshub.