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Real Girl

The explosive autobiography from Sugababe Mutya Buena

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Real Girl

By: Mutya Buena
Narrated by: Mutya Buena
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About this listen

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 side: 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

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Critic reviews

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. (Jane Mulkerrins)
All stars
Most relevant
One of the best vocalists to come out of the UK can now add author to her list of amazing achievements!

Couldn’t love Mutya more if I tried, great listen, so interesting to hear the highs and lows and everything in between.

Loved it and will be recommending to everyone!

Our Real Queen!

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I absolutely loved this book! Such a no-holes-barred reflection with honesty & seemingly no qualms over disclosing all details. As heavy as it was at times, I couldn't stop listening and now genuinely feel like I know her?! I realise that sounds so creepy but that's how good this is!

Brutally Mutya

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I really enjoyed this audiobook, it gave a nice insight into Mutya’s life. The highs and the lows. I recommend this to fans and friends

A good audiobook

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big fan of the Sugababes! great read, could not stop listening, a lot of lows but so many more highs!

what life was really like in the sugababes!

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A really honest and reflective life story that has made me respect Mutya even more.

Honest and reflective

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