In an exclusive and heart-wrenching revelation, Sugababes star Mutya Buena, known for her powerhouse vocals and iconic presence in the pop world, has opened up about her emotional tribute to her late sister, Maya, who tragically passed away in 2002. Now, after more than two decades of grief, Mutya is still carrying the memory of her sister in the most intimate and touching ways.
Maya, born in 1986, was a pivotal part of Mutya’s life before her untimely death. Although Mutya has rarely discussed the devastating loss publicly, she has kept her sister’s memory alive through powerful personal gestures, including a song she recorded for Maya that continues to strike an emotional chord with fans. In a candid conversation, Mutya reflected on the deep pain and love that she channels through her music—and now, her tattoo.
In 2003, as part of Sugababes’ third studio album Three, Mutya poured her heart out with a soul-stirring solo track simply titled “Maya.” The song captures the raw emotions of loss, love, and remembrance, and stands as a testament to the lasting bond they shared. “Maya this song’s for you,” Mutya sings, her voice laced with emotion, “I have your name print tattooed upon my skin.” These words, echoing through the years, reveal just how much Maya means to her, with the tattoo serving as a permanent reminder of their connection. The tattoo, placed on her hip, keeps Maya close to her heart, even in death.
But it wasn’t just the song that marked her grief. The chorus—”There are worlds within worlds, that keep rotating, and so many thoughts that flow through my mind”—showcases Mutya’s internal conflict as she navigates through her emotions. Her belief that “if this universe is really shrinking, we’ll be together in time” offers a glimmer of hope amidst the sorrow, a notion that wherever life takes her, she’ll one day reunite with her beloved sister.
Mutya’s grief is further embodied in her daughter’s name. In 2005, when Mutya became a mother to daughter Tahlia, she ensured her late sister’s presence would never fade. Tahlia’s middle name, Maya, immortalizes the sister she never had the chance to meet. It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking tribute to a love that transcends time and space.
But the story doesn’t end with Maya. Behind the scenes, Mutya has bravely shared the challenges she faced following Tahlia’s birth, revealing her struggle with post-natal depression—a silent battle that few knew about. In a recent interview, Mutya opened up about the mental health struggles that plagued her during this time. “I didn’t know I had postnatal depression,” she admitted, explaining how she would walk into the studio, feeling completely overwhelmed by anxiety. “Everything annoyed me, I could go from zero to 100 in seconds,” she recalled. “I didn’t know what was going on, but it was my anxiety. I didn’t even realize I suffered with it for so long.”
This candid revelation shows just how far Mutya has come, and the strength she’s had to summon not just to continue her career but also to be a mother. “On top of that having baby blues with the girls, it didn’t make me feel good,” she added. “I felt crazy fat. I didn’t feel sexy, I didn’t feel like my normal self.” It was a lonely and isolating time for the singer, but it’s clear that her love for her daughter, coupled with her ongoing grief for Maya, has been the emotional force that’s kept her grounded.
As Mutya continues to honor her sister’s memory through her music, her tattoos, and her family, her story is a poignant reminder of the profound ways in which we carry those we’ve lost with us—forever etched on our hearts and in our skin. Maya’s legacy lives on, not just in Mutya’s music, but in the love she continues to share with her family, reminding us all that even in the deepest sorrow, love never dies.
For Mutya, Maya is never truly gone. As she sings, “We’ll be together in time.” And until that moment arrives, Mutya’s memories, tattoos, and songs will keep Maya’s spirit alive.
