Aqua Splits After 30 Years Ahead of Anniversary

Iconic 90s pop band Aqua have announced they have split, less than 12 months before their smash hit Barbie Girl celebrates its 30th anniversary. 

The Danish-Norwegian group, who formed in 1995 and sold over 33M albums, took to Instagram with the news on Monday. 

Lene Nystrøm, 52, René Dif, 58, and Søren Rasted, 56, reunited without fellow founding member Claus Norreen, 55, in 2016 following a hiatus and have been touring the world for the last decade. 

They said in a statement: 'After many incredible years, we have decided to close the chapter of AQUA as a live band. AQUA has been such a huge part of our lives, and together we’ve had the chance to experience more than we ever dared to dream of'.

'We’ve traveled the world countless times, met so many wonderful people, sung together with millions of you, and shared memories that we will carry with us forever'.

They continued: 'When you’ve been together for this long, you also learn when it’s time to protect what you’ve created together. For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye, while the memories are still strong, and while the love for the music, the story, and each other remains intact'.

'From the bottom of our hearts: thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey over the past 30 years. Thank you for the love, the energy, the support, and for all the moments we’ve shared together.

Before adding: 'Nothing but love and gratitude from here on. Endless love. Lene, René & Søren'. 

Devastated fans were quick to rush to the comments: 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO': 'It’s your 30 year anniversary next year!! Of aquarium!!! People want to see it': 'So glad I got to see yall one last time this year. What an incredible legacy': 'Devastated...but also so grateful to have seen your brilliant live show several times...your incredible catalogue of songs will live on forever'.

The group released their biggest hit Barbie Girl in May 1997,  which featured on their album Aquarium, the now iconic track topped the charts worldwide, including four weeks at Number 1 in the UK. 

Their follow up singles included Doctor Jones, Cartoon Heroes and Back to The 80s.

In 2023 they were back in the charts when their collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice for Barbie World, on the soundtrack for the Margot Robbie movie about the Mattel doll. 

Meanwhile fellow 90s icon Melanie Chisholm from the Spice Girls has revealed that she's still holding out hope for a reunion tour as she took to This Morning to . 

The singer, best known for being part of the 90s girlband alongside , , and , said she would like to see the band headline and get back in front of crowds as she was quizzed on .

Melanie, 52, who this week released her latest solo album, Sweat, sat down with show hosts and to open up on the behind-the-scenes of her new record, and taking to the stage with former bandmate Mel B, 50. 

On the show, explained that she's holding out hope that the five women will soon be back in front of live audiences, as she heads off on her own tour. 

It follows rumours that the Spice Girls are set to virtually reunite on stage in the form of holographic avatars, like those seen in the  Voyage show in East London.

Victoria, 52, said on SiriusXM: 'I think it would be a great idea. The principle of it would be great. We were talking about it at dinner, but we'll see.'

Addressing the rumours, Mel responded: 'That would be an amazing thing for us to do, for that legacy to be able to live on, but personally, I want to see us on stage together. 

'I think we need to do some more live stuff, while we still can. There's so many opportunities, we could do Glastonbury, we could to the Sphere [in Las Vegas], there's lots of things I'd like to do and I'm working on them.'

She added of her own tour following the release of her new album: 'I am doing a world tour, I haven't done a world tour for over 20 years, but the impact of this record has allowed me to go international again.

'I love performing, anyone who knows me [knows that]. It just doesn't stop and I'm having the time of my life. 

'Once I get up there, honestly, it's given me so much energy, it reminds me of why you do it. The people who appreciate your music, it's the best thing.'