Cheryl Ann Cole (née Tweedy; born 30 June 1983) is an English singer, songwriter, dancer, model, and television personality.
Cole rose to fame in 2002 after becoming a member of pop group Girls Aloud through ITV's reality television programme Popstars: The Rivals. They have become one of the few UK reality television acts to achieve continued success, amassing a fortune of £25 million by May 2009. With Girls Aloud, Cole has been successful in achieving a string of 20 consecutive UK top ten singles (including four number ones), two UK number one albums, and received nominations for five BRIT Awards, winning Best Single in 2009 for "The Promise".
In 2008, Cole became a judge on the British reality television show The X Factor. Propelling her fame to new heights, Cole has been called "the nation's new sweetheart." Cole's first solo single, "Fight for This Love", was the fastest-selling single of 2009 up to that point when it entered the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart at number one, becoming the fourth best-seller of the year. Her debut solo album 3 Words achieved similar success.
Cole has also become recognized as a style icon, appearing on the covers of British Vogue and Elle. In 2009, Cole became the new face of L'Oréal.
She is married to the Chelsea and England football player Ashley Cole. It was reported on 23 February 2010 that the couple are to separate.
Birth name Cheryl Ann Tweedy Born 30 June 1983 (1983-06-30) (age 26) Origin Newcastle, England Genres Pop, R&B Occupations Singer, songwriter, dancer, model, television personality Instruments Vocals Years active 2002-present Labels Polydor (2002-present)
Fascination (2006-present) Associated acts Girls Aloud, Will.i.am, Alexandra Burke, Diana Vickers, Laura White, Joe McElderry, Lloyd Daniels, Rikki Loney, Dannii Minogue, Black Eyed Peas
Early life
Cole was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England and lived on an estate which lies between the inner city districts of Heaton and Byker. She is one of five children - one younger brother, Garry, and two half-brothers - Andrew and Joseph, and one half-sister Gillian.
Interested in dancing from an early age, Cole joined the Royal Ballet's summer school at the age of nine. In addition to dancing, Cole won many modelling competitions, including Boots Group's bonniest baby, Mothercare Happy Faces Portrait competition, Best Looking Girl of Newcastle, The Evening Chronicle "Little Miss and Mister", and "Most Attractive Girl" at the MetroCentre. She also appeared in two British Gas adverts, an SCS advert, and an Eldon Square Christmas advert with younger brother Garry. Cole also appeared in dance recitals on some television shows.
Career
Girls Aloud
Main article: Girls Aloud
Cole auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, singing S Club 7's "Have You Ever". Cole joined Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh to comprise the new girl group Girls Aloud, formed through the show by a public vote on 30 November 2002.
The group's debut single "Sound of the Underground" peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the 2002 Christmas number one. Girls Aloud hold the record for the shortest time between formation and reaching number one. Since 2003, Girls Aloud have released twenty additional singles, with all but one charting within the top ten. Their singles "I'll Stand by You", "Walk This Way", and "The Promise" have charted at number one. "The Promise" won Best British Single at the 2009 BRIT Awards. Their greatest hits album The Sound of Girls Aloud and 2008's Out of Control entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, with over one million copies of the former being sold.
In 2009, it was announced that Girls Aloud would partake in a year-long hiatus to pursue solo projects, but would reunite for a new studio album in 2010.
