Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Pussycat Dolls have recently reformed, after a break of seven years

The Pussycat Dolls have issued a joint statement denying allegations that the pop group was a "prostitution ring".

Kaya Jones, who left the band before they became famous, claimed that she and other members were regularly subjected to sexual abuse.

"We are all abused," she said on Twitter, claiming the group were made to "sleep with whoever they say".

The band, led by Nicole Scherzinger, said they "were not aware of Kaya's experiences" and offered her support.

However, they firmly denied that the remaining members had been abused.

"We cannot stand behind false allegations towards other group members partaking in activities that simply did not take place," they said.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Kaya Jones says she walked away from the band to escape abuse

"To liken our professional roles in The Pussycat Dolls to a prostitution ring not only undermines everything we worked hard to achieve for all those years but also takes the spotlight off the millions of victims who are speaking up and being heard loud and clear around the world," the statement continued.

"We stand in solidarity with all women who have bravely spoken publicly of their horrific experiences of abuse, harassment and exploitation."

Jones's original accusations came in a string of Tweets last Friday:

Skip Twitter post by @KayaJones My truth.I wasn’t in a girl group. I was in a prostitution ring.Oh & we happened to sing & be famous. While everyone who owned us made the $ — Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) October 13, 2017 Report

Skip Twitter post 2 by @KayaJones How bad was it?people ask-bad enough that I walked away from my dreams,bandmates&a 13 million dollar record deal.We knew we were going to#1 — Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) October 13, 2017 Report

Skip Twitter post 3 by @KayaJones To be apart of the team you must be a team player.Meaning sleep with whoever they say.If you dont they have nothing on you to leverage — Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) October 13, 2017 Report

Skip Twitter post 4 by @KayaJones Yes I said leverage. Meaning after they turn you out or get you hooked on drugs they use it against you.Correct.Victimizing the victim again — Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) October 13, 2017 Report

In their statement, The Pussycat Dolls said: "While we were not aware of Kaya's experiences that allegedly took place during her short time working with us, before the group signed a recording contract, we can firmly testify that we were not privy to any misconduct taking place around us.

"If Kaya experienced something we are unaware of then we fully encourage her to get the help she needs and are here to support her."

'Don't discredit the victim'

The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a burlesque dance troupe. Their shows attracted a huge following in Hollywood, with stars like Britney Spears, Pink and Brittany Murphy joining them on stage.

In 2003, Antin decided to reinvent the troupe as a pop group, and held open auditions to find new singers and dancers.

Kaya Jones joined the band at this point, but had left by the time they released their debut single, Don't Cha, in 2005 and does not appear on any of their recorded output.

Image caption The Pussycat Dolls in 2008 (L-R): Melody Thornton, Kimberley Wyatt, Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Jessica Sutta

Speaking to The Blast on Monday, Antin called Jones's accusations "disgusting, ridiculous lies" and claimed the singer was "clearly looking for her 15 minutes".

Jones responded by warning the media not to "discredit the victim" by reporting Antin's denials, describing her as a "predator".

"You don't have to believe me," she added. "I lived it.

"It's now about helping other people in the world scared to stand up to their abusers."

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