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The Band Perry is facing a messy internal falling out after youngest sibling Neil Perry publicly claimed he was forced out of the country trio by his older sister Kimberly Perry and her husband, Johnny Costello. The dispute centers around the band’s attempted 2025 reunion, and shifting lineups that left the group reduced to a duo.
Formed in the 2000s by siblings Neil, Kimberly, and Reid, the country trio signed to Republic Nashville in 2009, released two albums, and toured consistently before entering a hiatus in 2023. In August 2025, the band announced a return without Neil, utilizing Johnny Costello on backing vocals alongside Reid Perry on bass. However, Reid quietly departed the project by October, leaving Kimberly and Costello as the sole active members.
### The Breakdown of the Reunion
According to Neil Perry, the conflict began when Kimberly approached him about bringing the band out of hiatus, noting at the time that moving forward with Reid was not an option after Reid turned down an offer to rejoin. Neil stated that Kimberly gave him three choices: continue as a duo, hold auditions, or have her husband step in.
While Neil indicated he was fine with the first two options, he realized Kimberly intended to move forward with her husband. Neil made it clear he did not want someone taking his brother’s place, though he voiced no personal issues with Johnny Costello, who married Kimberly in 2021.
The situation shifted when Reid unexpectedly rejoined the band through conversations Neil was not a part of. Neil was given three days to decide if he wanted to participate in the comeback, but requested a conversation the following week.
“I was told I was out of time,” Neil said. He was approached again a month later, but stated he could not move forward under those circumstances, realizing that touring was no longer an option and that he would be forced out by the partnership agreement. He added that he did not agree to losing his financial interest and access to the resources and business he spent his life helping build.
### Public Accusations and Changing Lineups
Neil aired his grievances on social media, posting a video of himself sitting in front of awards with a caption about preparing a Netflix documentary on how the band went from three siblings to his sister and her husband. He also shared clips of Kimberly stating in interviews that her brothers had given their blessing to continue without them, a characterization Neil rejected as a misrepresentation.
According to Neil, the siblings were not on consistent speaking terms, and Reid had stopped engaging in personal and business matters. Reid’s subsequent drop-out occurred shortly after the band re-signed with their original label, Big Machine, at which point Reid posted on Instagram to inform fans of his departure and wish his sister the best.
Following the lineup changes, Kimberly and Johnny Costello released two new singles, marking the band’s first new music in nine years. Neil has since started a new band named Wolves of June.
