Salt-N-Pepa: Behind the scenes When the pioneering female rap group Salt-N-Pepa suddenly disbanded in 2002, it was viewed by most as a “typical” band breakup. In fact, however, one of the performers, Cheryl “Salt” James (shown here), had been suffering from bulimia nervosa. She quit performing in order to recover from the disorder and to escape the pressures of her fame, including, in her words, “the pressure to be beautiful and management telling me ‘You’re gaining weight.’” With James now recovered, the group has reunited and is touring again.