Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Ann Cole (née Tweedy; born 30 June 1983) is an English recording artist, songwriter, dancer and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls Aloud. She has been part of the group ever since, and during that time it has achieved 20 top-ten singles (including four number one singles) in the UK and six platinum albums (two of which went to number one) and earned five BRIT Award nominations from 2005 to 2010. In 2009, Girls Aloud won "Best Single" with their song "The Promise". In 2009, Girls Aloud announced their musical hiatus.

Cole embarked on a solo career and released her first solo studio album 3 Words (2009) through Polydor records, "3 Words" saw the release of three successful singles, the lead single from the album "Fight for This Love" debuted at number one on the UK charts becoming the best selling single of the year. "3 Words" and "Parachute" both peaked within the top five of the UK charts. 2010 saw the release of Cole's second studio album Messy Little Raindrops, which produced two singles, the first being "Promise This" which went straight to number one. Cole released her third solo album A Million Lights on 18 June 2012, with lead single "Call My Name" being released on 11 June 2012, the single became Cole's third number one single. During her solo career Cole has earned three BRIT Award nominations.

Cole has become a recognised and photographed style icon; referred to as a fashionista by the press. She has been photographed for the covers of British Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar, while also becoming the new face of cosmetic company L'Oréal. Cole was married to England footballer Ashley Cole from July 2006 until September 2010, when she divorced him following the announcement of their separation earlier that year. Cole became a judge on The X Factor in 2008, becoming the winning judge twice out of the three series she judged. In 2011, Cole left the UK version of The X Factor to judge the American version. However, Cole was sacked from the show. Cole's net worth was estimated at £15 million in April 2012.