British pop star Keisha Buchanan, a founding member of the girl group Sugababes, has come forward with disturbing allegations against her former partner, Taiwo Leo Atieno, accusing him of subjecting her to three years of physical abuse, harassment, and coercive control, a London court heard on Thursday.
At a May 8 hearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors detailed how Atieno—an ex-professional soccer player who played for Kenya and Luton Town—allegedly manipulated nearly every aspect of Buchanan’s life between 2015 and 2018 during their long-term relationship.
The now 40-year-old singer claimed she was beaten, financially controlled, and subjected to psychological torment by Atieno, 39, during the time they were together.
Among the shocking revelations: Buchanan was allegedly banned from wearing red lipstick, a choice her abuser derided as making her look “like a prostitute,” prosecutors said.
According to court reports from The Standard and Metro, Atieno also restricted Buchanan’s access to television, monitored when she could shower, and dictated what she ate. He allegedly only allowed her to go to the gym at specific times and demanded $33,000 from her.
“The complainant states that while she lived with the defendant, she wasn’t allowed to open her own letters or sort out her finances,” Prosecutor Edward Kalber told the court. “She would have to ask for money whenever she wanted it.”
Buchanan and Atieno reportedly met in 2006 and began dating in 2011. The alleged abuse is said to have occurred over a three-year period beginning in 2015. The Sugababes singer reported the alleged abuse to police in December 2023, describing it as a “campaign of terror and abuse.”
Since the end of their relationship, Buchanan alleges Atieno continued to harass her in violation of a court order, repeatedly contacting her through texts, emails, and social media over a three-year span.
She also reportedly endured three separate physical assaults, leading to injuries that required physiotherapy, according to Metro.
“The offending is severe in its nature and has caused problems for the complainant, both psychological and physical,” Kalber said.
The case brings renewed attention to the issue of coercive control and emotional abuse within high-profile relationships, underscoring the complexities survivors face in both escaping and speaking out about such trauma.
The legal proceedings are ongoing.
