Rhona Bennett, a member of the enduring group En Vogue, has parted methods after twenty years.
The singer, a.ok.a. Miss R&B, took to Instagram on Thursday (Nov. 13) to announce the beginning of “a brand new season.” Bennett started the prolonged submit reflecting, “There comes a time in each artist’s journey when the trail adjustments — typically with out full readability, however all the time with goal. Over time, I’ve carried out deep work to develop my voice — not simply musically, however personally and spiritually. I’ve discovered that honoring my values, inventive expression, and reality should come earlier than the rest.”
She then alluded to what led to her resolution to exit the group, citing her omission from their efficiency on the 2025 Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame induction ceremony. After followers questioned why Bennett wasn’t seen performing with En Vogue alongside honorees Salt-N-Peppa, Bennett supplied some clarification.
“I’m usually fairly non-public, however lots of you reached out to ask why I wasn’t on the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame efficiency. I used to be authorized, in the course of the summer season, to facilitate my very own occasion taking place concurrently on November eighth, nonetheless I used to be not knowledgeable in regards to the Corridor of Fame efficiency and found it similtaneously the general public,” mentioned Bennett, whose Instagram bio now states “former member of En Vogue.”
She added, “It might’ve been good to attend had I been given the chance to regulate my schedule.” (On Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, Bennett co-hosted the Produce Your Dream Life inventive summit in Atlanta.)
On Fb, Bennett responded to a fan’s remarks, including extra context behind the point out of the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame efficiency.
“The point out in regards to the Corridor of Fame efficiency was solely to fulfill the questions coming to me about it,” Bennett mentioned. “The explanation for our parting is rather more nuanced than that.”
On Monday night (Nov. 17), En Vogue launched an announcement in response to Bennett’s departure. “Out of due respect for our sisters @saltnpepaofficial and their induction into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame, we selected to chorus from addressing Rhona Bennett’s departure from En Vogue till now,” they wrote on Instagram.
The trio continued, “We’re pleased with En Vogue’s legacy, and for over 35 years have been dedicated to sustaining an open-door tradition for members to pursue their particular person aspirations whereas staying ‘true’ to our model. As a gaggle, we’ve got the utmost respect for Rhona’s skills and have constantly supported her private endeavors all through the previous 22 years.”
In the identical assertion, En Vogue teased what to anticipate from them subsequent 12 months. “Waiting for 2026, with founding member Maxine Jones, who returned earlier this 12 months we’re extraordinarily blessed to have fun two main milestones: the thirtieth anniversary of the EV3 debut and the twenty fifth anniversary of the Masterpiece Theatre album. Due to our followers on your help!”
Whereas one door could have closed, one other has opened. In the identical submit, Bennett confirmed her plans to launch new music in time for the vacations. “We’re within the giving season, and my subsequent single, ‘It’s Christmas Time (For You and I),’ will arrive quickly,” she mentioned. Bennett’s upcoming Christmas observe will observe her solo undertaking Instantaneous Traditional, quietly launched in October 2024.
Bennett joined En Vogue in 2003 with founding members Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis. She had beforehand launched her debut album, Rhona, in 2001 by way of Rodney Jerkins’ Darkchild Information/Epic Information. In 2004, En Vogue — the trio consisting of Herron, Ellis and Bennett — launched their album Soul Flower.
In late 2008, Bennett briefly stepped apart whereas all 4 authentic members, together with Daybreak Robinson and Maxine Jones, reunited for a sequence of twentieth anniversary reveals that prolonged into the next 12 months.
Tour apart, since then, Bennett was a constant member of the group, whereas Robinson and Jones would return, then depart. The trio launched their newest album, Electrical Café, in 2018, which included the Ne-Yo-penned “Rocket,” a high 10 hit on Billboard’s Grownup R&B Airplay chart.
In a 2020 interview with YKIGS, Robinson shared one of many causes she has not reunited with the group. “My downside is Rhona being there,” she mentioned. “I believe she’s nice. She has by no means carried out something to me. She’s not a nasty particular person in any respect. I do know that she must step again if we’re going to do a reunion in any respect. It simply must be the 4 of us.”
In February, it was introduced that Jones had returned to the group. The quartet spent the summer season touring Europe.
On the time of this writing, En Vogue’s present roster consists of Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis and Maxine Jones. The group has not launched any public statements since Bennett’s departure. Rated R&B reached out for a remark however didn’t obtain a response by publication time.
Learn Rhona Bennett’s assertion saying her departure from En Vogue beneath:
“A New Season”
There comes a time in each artist’s journey when the trail adjustments — typically with out full readability, however all the time with goal.
Over time, I’ve carried out deep work to develop my voice — not simply musically, however personally and spiritually. I’ve discovered that honoring my values, inventive expression, and reality should come earlier than the rest.
I’m usually fairly non-public, however lots of you reached out to ask why I wasn’t on the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame efficiency. I used to be authorized, in the course of the summer season, to facilitate my very own occasion taking place concurrently on November eighth, nonetheless I used to be not knowledgeable in regards to the Corridor of Fame efficiency and found it similtaneously the general public. It might’ve been good to attend had I been given the chance to regulate my schedule.
I’m getting into a brand new season of creativity, freedom, and contribution. Development can typically create discomfort — not solely inside ourselves, however in others, too. Don’t shrink. Maintain going.
I’m deeply grateful for the years of reference to En Vogue and for the unbelievable work we’ve shared throughout the globe. Thanks, EV.
Although uncertainty is current, so is pleasure. I belief that this subsequent chapter is just not a loss, however an evolution. God bless as I transfer towards the following frontier.
We’re within the giving season, and my subsequent single, “It’s Christmas Time (For You and I),” will arrive quickly — together with extra music, teaching, and talking tasks that proceed my mission to encourage and empower.
THANK YOU to everybody who has despatched phrases of encouragement, help, concern, and love. It’s time to take the following daring step ahead. I’m grateful that you just’re alongside for the trip.
With love,
Rhona
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