Real Girl

by Mutya Buena

Brought to you by Penguin.

“I’m not sure anyone knows who I really am. So here it is.”

The real highs.
The real lows.
The Real Girl.

Mutya Buena was only thirteen when she became one third of the original line-up of the iconic girl band Sugababes.

As she launched into fame, her life became unrecognizable overnight. Suddenly, she was going straight from school to the studio, rubbing shoulders with music royalty and hearing fans scream her name.

But with the dazzle of stardom came the darker those who would take advantage of her naivety and her kindness, the constant taunting by the press and the lingering regret of missing out on being a real teenager.

Unflinchingly honest, Real Girl takes us through the highs of a spectacular career and the lows that came with a life in the limelight. For the first time, Mutya opens up about the struggles she kept hidden from the public eye when her life began to spiral out of control.

This is the story of the girl the tabloids never saw.

'The odd, lurid life of a very young pop star...If confirmation were ever needed that the Naughties were a toxic time to be famous and female, Real Girl delivers it, vividly and colourfully.' The Times

Mutya Buena 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography

Audible Audio

First published November 13, 2025

Reviews

[Philip Brian]

Not Ace Reject catching strays again 😭 Girl your opening verse is EVERYTHING!

Jokes aside, I binged this in 24hrs. I just loved listening to Mutya sharing her story like listening to a friend. Mutya, you're an icon, an inspiration and so strong 💪 I'm so pleased that 2025 was the year I finally saw you and the babes live!! Part of me would have liked a little more insight and detail into the music in places but that's only because I'm such a fan and I understand this book is about Mutya, not the Sugababes.

I loved that the mental health struggles were candid and the advice didn't veer into clichés. It felt practical and again, like a friend was supporting you.

THE real girl, you grew taller than them in more ways ❤️

[Gordon Ambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

Als riesiger Fan der originalen Sugababes musste ich Mutyas Biografie natürlich direkt hören und fand es richtig toll, ein wenig hinter die Kulissen der Songs blicken zu können, die ich seit Jahrzehnten liebe. Auch erzählt sie sehr offen über ihre Struggles mit Drogen, Alkohol, Männern und Schönheitsoperationen. Alles sehr authentisch und mit einem Hauch Humor erzählt.

[Daniel Roque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mutya's charismatic, outspoken and chaotic persona is quite unmatched in the music scene but my second favourite character has to be her sister's ashes on the container over the kitchen table. We live in the real world but she's just the realest girl.

[Karl R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Loved every single page. As an avid reader of autobiographies / biolographies it is extremely refreshing to read one where the author actually gives it to you warts and all without playing it safe and glossing over everything. Mutya really gives her whole life story, the ups, the downs, the public successes, the private pitfalls, even the parts that dont paint her in the best light. She was really ready to write this book, which is surprisingly (and unfortunately) rare in the 'world of (auto)biographical writing'.

I've been much more of a Sugababes fan since their reunion than I was back in the day. I liked their songs back when, but was of a slightly older generation than their main fan base at the time, so while Mutya always fascinated me and I loved her voice, I didnt know too much about her personal story other than the repeated press headlines about infighting within the group.

One of the most impressive things about this book is the pacing. It is flawless. Sensational. You really feel like you get Mutya's full life story, the book starts at her birth and ends in 2025 (which would have been the present for when it was written / published), and thoughout 40 years of life, it never feels like she skips over anything or jumps large passages of time. On the flip side, it also doesnt feel like she flounders unnecessarily long on any topics, so reading the book was extremely enjoyable, you get all the details in a cohesive story, at a steady pace. Wonderful.

I was extremely surprised at how much of Mutya's story had never been written about before (to my knowledge). For a girl group member, the press usually love to publish endless stories about any downfall they can, however I'd never heard about her drug addiction, alcohol addiction, extreme depression, self harm, rehab stays, multiple abusive relationships. Mutya tells of all these parts of her life, along with giving the real happenings behind other stories I had heard, such as her bankruptcy, reality tv escapades, quitting the Sugababes, going solo, getting dropped by her solo label, reuniting with the original Sugababes, and plastic surgeries.

Another thing that made the book enjoyable was the authors accountability. Mutya is clearly in a place in her life at present where she can look back objectively, and tell her story without trying to make herself look better / innocent, or passing the blame to others. But at the same time she also appears to have the confidence to accept that in some instances things were out of her control, and while she tried her best, she was a victim and theres nothing wrong with acknowledging that.

Overall its one of the best autobiographies that I have read in a while and I would definitely recommend it. Whether your a fan of the author, have experienced some of the issues she has been through, or are just curious about the rise and fall of celebrities / pop stars, the book is phenomenal.

[Jack Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook was such an experience. Loved hearing her laugh at her own reminiscing about the happier times of her life.

[Swee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have been a huge fan of this lady for years, an absolute inspiration to me. As a mixed Asian girl myself she has always been someone I've looked up to and because of seeing another mixed Asian girl in a pop girl group while growing up was so amazing to me.

I met Mutya and her family a few years ago and they were so lovely to me which meant the world.

Inspirational is all I can say about her story, despite the highs and lows always kept true to herself and managed to stay strong.

[ZzZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guuuurl, this was a ride 🫨💖

I knew this was gonna be a good read 🤓 especially the audiobook version with mama’s 100% raw refined sugary sultry husky organic vocals… and it delivered 📦

(sidechick note: I dunno if it was down to poor editing or a conscious decision BUT I found the several mispronounced words and incoherent mumble-tumble moments pretty cute as fuck)

^ she wasn’t trying to be all proper, she spoke the way she usually speaks… 🥰🥰 and it was kinda a throwback to those Sugababes CD album booklet thankyou’s where they’d typ lyk dis… cuz Mutz woz ere 4ever … etc ♡

Content-wise: she really went further than surface level sharing some deeply personal memories and experiences 🙀😿😽 — (despite being relatively short for a 40+ Pop Superstar Icon of 25+ years, at under 6 hours it’s reasonable but of course I want more!!) ❤️‍🩹

I did get triggered… 🥴😵‍💫🤒 had to pause and rub my heart, my poor baby gurl was really going through it, privately🧘‍♀️ and killing it on the charts simultaneously 👸💝

The only thing that got on my tits was when she mentioned israhell (just very briefly, regarding a song recording process) …and, like.. considering the heavy presence of military/police 👮 and mentions of SOCIAL JUSTICE 🪧 and Cancel Culture and Censorship/Fake News 📰 etc …it was a sad realization, her *choice* not to mention Palestine 🕊️ (oh gawd is Mutz a crypto-zionista, please noooo) 🥲🥲🥲

(((even as a group I don’t think either of them has even said a word… 🤯 but when it was BLM everyone had the Black Squares on socials ▪️◾️◼️ …anywayzzz 🤓)))

So… I was gonna mark it down to 4… 😗 but fuck that (maybe she was discouraged by a trusted advisor 🫩), …And as overall it’s just so so so good, one of the very best memoirs I have ever listened to, it’s a full 5 Stars for my Queen 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[[[]P.S. I nearly died when she (almost) mentioned ME 😳…I’m not gonna say which event/place/scenario buuuut I met her…and we spoke one time, it was very special …and it was sooooo dream-sequence-y for me although I acted normal I think 😄😍😂]]]]

God Bless Mutya 😌🫶🍯💛

[Johnny Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read this book so much as sit with it, nod vigorously, laugh out loud, and occasionally whisper “oh god, same” to myself.

Real Girl is raw, funny, painful, tender, and deeply human. Mutya doesn’t polish her story or package it up neatly for consumption - she tells it as it was, and that honesty is the entire power of this book. The fame, the pressure, the being misunderstood, the constant feeling of not being “enough” even when the world is applauding you… it hit me harder than I expected.

What resonated most for me was how openly she talks about self-loathing, anxiety, and the long shadow that early criticism can cast over a person’s entire life. There’s something incredibly comforting (and heartbreaking) about realising that someone you admired, someone that talented, was quietly fighting the same internal battles so many of us do. It made me feel less alone, and also fiercely protective of her.

And yet this book isn’t bleak. It’s warm. It’s funny in that very British, very Mutya way. There’s humour threaded through the pain, and strength growing in the cracks. By the end, you’re not just reading a memoir, you’re watching a woman reclaim herself.
As a long-time fan, this made me admire her even more. Not just for the voice (which, obviously, untouchable), but for the bravery it takes to tell the truth when it would be easier to stay silent. This feels like an act of self-respect, and I’m cheering her on loudly from the sidelines.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, felt like you didn’t belong, or tried to survive in a world that was too loud and too demanding, this book will find you. And hold you. And gently remind you that being real is more than enough.

Five stars. No notes. All the love.

[Michelle Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Girl is a powerful and refreshingly honest memoir. I went into this knowing Mutya Buena mainly as a member of Sugababes, but I finished the book feeling like I truly understood the person behind the fame.

What stood out most to me was how open Mutya is about both the highs and the lows of growing up in the spotlight. Being thrust into fame at such a young age sounds glamorous on the surface, but she doesn’t shy away from sharing the exhaustion, pressure, and emotional toll that came with it. The way she describes balancing school with studio sessions, sudden celebrity, and intense public scrutiny is eye-opening.

This isn’t a glossy celebrity story it’s raw, real, and deeply human. Mutya writes with warmth and vulnerability, especially when talking about the struggles she kept hidden for years. Her journey feels relatable even if you’ve never experienced fame, touching on identity, mental health, and finding your own voice after being defined by others.

I also loved how the book comes full circle with the Sugababes’ return, showing her growth and resilience. It’s inspiring to see her finally telling her story on her own terms.

If you’re a fan of Sugababes or simply enjoy honest memoirs about navigating life, pressure, and self-discovery, this is well worth reading. I genuinely enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to other readers.

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a big fan of the Sugababes, I was looking forward to reading this. I think she is the first member to put a book out so I was expecting to read a lot about the group from her point of view.

I enjoyed reading about her childhood, her family dynamics etc but when it came to the group stuff, it all was kind of glossed over. What was the relationship like with the label when Heidi joined? What was the process of recording like compared to the first album? What was the sudden huge success like? It’s all just kind of skipped over.

There’s also a lot of talk about drink, drugs, domestic abuse and mental health. It was quite hard to read at times so if you struggle with that, I wouldn’t recommend reading it.

Did I come away like Mutya more? No but then I already really liked her. Do I understand more about her as a person and the things she’s faced? Absolutely. I think if you’re someone who doesn’t really like her then you would come away from reading this seeing that she’s a really lovely person.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of Sugababes and Mutya Buena being my favourite and one of the originals in the band. Her book was a real eye opener and would never have believed that she had been going through so much pain in her life. She is a Real Girl and what you see is what you get with Mutya. Being an Asian mixed race woman myself, can relate to her story and been through similar experiences myself. I read the book within a week or whenever I could get through the harrowing journey that Mutya experienced in her life. Glad to hear her life has turned out for the better and she is much happier now than she was before. I recommend this book to Sugababes fans and anyone who has been in a dark place in their lives.

[Jaylo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its great to get to know my favourite sugar babe BUT it was a bit meh. I dont feel it went as deep into alot of the struggles or battles that it could have. it just felt very surface level and quite a bit of filler. I dont feel like I know anymore about her then I already did minus a few very important parts like the self harm and domestic abuse ans I appreciate these being spoken about but I do feel like it cpuld have been explored further (I also appreciate its her choice how deep she wants to delve)

[Adam Zakeriya · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ GOOD

I grew up listening to the Sugababes. I rate them as the best girl group of all time and Mutya is my favourite member, so when I found out this memoir existed I was super excited to learn her story.

It reads like an honest conversation rather than a polished celebrity memoir. Mutya Buena writes with openness and warmth, moving through fame, friendship, motherhood, and self discovery in a way that feels grounded and personal. Alongside this, she speaks candidly about serious struggles, including alcoholism and addiction, self harm, and experiences of domestic violence, without sensationalism or self pity.

What really stands out is her voice. It’s direct, reflective, and emotionally present, allowing difficult experiences to be explored with clarity and care. She doesn’t frame survival as triumph, but as ongoing work, which gives the book a sense of integrity and emotional truth.

The story carries a steady emotional rhythm. Heavy moments are balanced with resilience, and the focus remains on understanding and growth rather than shock value. Even when covering painful territory, the writing feels controlled and purposeful.

This is an engaging and affirming read. Its strength lies in its sincerity and calm confidence, offering a portrait of an artist reclaiming her narrative and sharing it in a way that feels both brave and deeply human.

[Karim Zayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps a bias review as I’ve been a big fan of the Sugababes for quite some time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir from start to finish. It was interesting learning about Mutyas humble early beginnings, and how this led to pop stardom. However, looking behind the curtain behind the life of fame within the girl group was particularly interesting.

[Sean]

Listened to the audiobook whilst re-painting my bedroom. It is a funny, charming but pretty superficial read. There are lots of nods to issues with drink and mental illness- Mutya is even institutionalised at one point- but the divulgence feels reluctant. Fair enough, but not the most compelling or illuminating read as a result.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pop memoirs are needed to get me through these winter mornings and this was really enjoyable. I like the Sugababes and I also remember her stay in celebrity big brother back in 2009, so was excited for this. Are there any huge reveals? No not really , but it’s great to hear mutya’s story in her own words and at parts it was a very relatable struggle of bad men and addiction.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mutya will forever be an icon.

I throughly enjoyed listening to Mutya read Real Girl.

[Ja’mie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book by one of my childhood icons! Always been a huge fan of the babes and it’s great to get Mutya’s recollection of the glory days. Bring on the new album !!

[livkf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! So insightful and Mutya really shows us all how we can relate to her life.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great on audio. I loved hearing her laugh reminiscing about the past and the 2000’s UK music scene.

[Chloe Henney · Rating 4 out of 5]

read the audiobook if you can!!

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

audiobook

[Graham Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable - interesting to see her point of view, not exactly a tell-all but wasn’t reading because of that. Genuinely a ‘real girl’ overcoming crazy things…good luck to her! 3.6