Double-edged sword that's haunted Cheryl since she was 19
Cheryl has been in the public eye since she stepped onto the stage over 20 years ago to try out for the UK talent competition Popstars: The Rivals.
The vocalist, previously recognized as Cheryl Tweedy and Cheryl Cole during her career, ultimately emerged victorious in the competition with her girl group, Girls Aloud.
Despite achieving fame and wealth, she has had to face numerous personal hardships and challenges.
LEARN MORE: There's something that one of the most prominent figures in music is keeping from her audience.
Cheryl Tweedy was born on June 30, 1983, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. She is the daughter of Joan Cunningham and Garry Tweedy.
Cheryl's mother had three older kids from a previous relationship, and she had two more with Tweedy before they split up when Cheryl was 11 years old.
Cheryl was raised in public housing and developed a passion for dancing during her childhood. At the age of seven, she made her television debut in a commercial for British Gas.
She went on to participate in dance competitions on British television, and her breakthrough happened when she turned 19.
READ MORE: It was the picture that fans eagerly anticipated, but now it has a disappointing effect on them.
In 2002, Cheryl tried out for the reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals. The show aimed to form both a boy band and a girl group to battle for the top position on the UK singles chart during the Christmas season.
She was among ten women selected by a panel of judges, including Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls, to advance to the finals. She ultimately became the first contestant to make it into the girl group that later became known as Girls Aloud.
DISCOVER MORE: The four letters indicated that their 'conflict' was over – but it was already too late.
A look at the most significant conflicts and splits in girl group history
The group also featured Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh. Their first single, "Sound of the Underground," hit number one on the UK charts just in time for Christmas.
Their debut album, which shared its title, came out in 2003 and quickly climbed to the second spot on the charts, making the girls well-known figures in popular culture.
Cheryl's Relationship With Ashley Cole
Before too long, Cheryl caught the attention of a well-known football player.
Cheryl's bandmate, Kimberley Walsh, revealed that Cheryl and Ashley Cole first crossed paths while playing tennis at the upscale residential community they both lived in.
They began their relationship in September 2004, and by the following June, the Arsenal football player proposed while they were on vacation in Dubai.
To receive your daily fix of 9honey, sign up for our newsletter here.
The duo tied the knot in a glamorous ceremony filled with celebrities on July 15, 2006, which was exclusively reported by OK! magazine. Cheryl adopted the professional name Cheryl Cole.
As she stayed occupied with recording and touring with Girls Aloud, and later pursuing her solo career, his journey as a football player with Arsenal, followed by stints at Crystal Palace and Chelsea, often took them in different directions.
In 2008, Cheryl gained even more recognition after being appointed as a judge on The X Factor UK. However, reports quickly surfaced suggesting that Cole was unfaithful to her.
In her 2013 autobiography, Cheryl Cole: My Story, Cheryl recounted how she shouted at Cole upon discovering he had cheated on her during the early days of their marriage.
She exclaimed, "I really hope you liked it!" I shouted back. "I hope she was worth it! This is the conclusion of your marriage!"
"You have no idea what you've done. This is a complete mess!" After several hours of venting, yelling, and sobbing incessantly, I felt utterly drained.
LEARN MORE: There's one subject you're not allowed to bring up with the superstar.
She welcomed him back, but in 2010, new allegations of cheating came to light.
Cheryl revealed her split from Cole in February 2010 and submitted her divorce papers two months after, mentioning his "unreasonable conduct" as the reason.
The divorce documents revealed that Cole confessed to being unfaithful with several women.
Celebrities Who Managed to Stay Together Despite Infidelity Scandals
Years later, she admitted that dealing with her celebrity status and the intense media attention on her private life was quite challenging for her.
"It felt like everything came together in a chaotic way," she shared with The Independent in 2023.
I found myself trapped in it and couldn't escape. It became overwhelming for me. The pressure was immense, which made it harder to enjoy. Plus, it felt like it was never-ending.
Following her divorce, she retained the name Cheryl Cole until she tied the knot again in 2012. Eventually, she adopted the single name Cheryl for her professional career.
Cheryl's Marriage To Jean-Bernard: A Journey
In July 2014, Cheryl tied the knot with French restaurant owner Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini after just three months of dating.
The couple is said to have crossed paths at the Cannes Film Festival and tied the knot on the Caribbean island of Mustique.
The couple separated after a year and a half.
Cheryl And Liam Payne: A Look At Their Journey
Cheryl first saw Liam Payne when he participated in The X Factor UK at the age of 14, while she was 24 at the time.
He came back to the competition two years later and was assigned to the group that ultimately formed One Direction.
After achieving significant success, the band came back to take the stage at the 2015 finale of The X Factor UK, where Payne reconnected with Cheryl once more.
The exact timeline of their relationship remains a mystery, but in March 2016, he posted a picture of them together on Instagram. Just a few days after that, they were spotted in London enjoying some time together.
By the close of the year, Cheryl and Payne were anticipating the arrival of their baby. On March 22, 2017, they celebrated the birth of their first and only child, a son they named Bear.
By July of the following year, their relationship had come to an end. Even though they parted ways, Cheryl and Payne managed to co-parent Bear in a friendly manner.
'Return in two years': Just five words turned Liam Payne into a celebrity.
Cheryl's Bond With Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding
Cheryl faced even more sorrow when her fellow Girls Aloud member, Sarah Harding, passed away on September 5, 2021, after struggling with breast cancer.
Cheryl and Harding had a strong friendship that lasted over two decades, and they enjoyed each other's company just before Harding passed away.
In 2023, Cheryl shared with MailOnline that Harding's passing had a significant impact on her.
"Many of the discussions we had before her departure opened my eyes to a new way of thinking, and that will stay with me," she mentioned.
She wasn't prepared to say goodbye, and it made me realize, "I'm still here. I have a life to live, and I will carry her memory with me as I do." It really changes your perspective on many things inside you.
Cheryl's Strength For Bear After Liam's Passing
Despite having a positive co-parenting dynamic over the years, Cheryl encountered one of the most devastating moments of her life when Payne, 31, tragically passed away after falling from a hotel balcony on the third floor in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16.
A few days later, Cheryl, who is 41, shared a poignant post on her Instagram, reflecting on her own sorrow. The message was accompanied by a black and white image of Payne holding their baby son, Bear.
"As I come to terms with this life-altering situation and process my own sorrow during this incredibly difficult period, I want to gently remind everyone that we have lost a person."
Liam was more than just a pop star and a famous figure; he was also a son, brother, uncle, cherished friend, and a father to our seven-year-old boy. Now, this child must confront the harsh truth of never being able to see his dad again.
Cheryl added, "What disturbs me the most is the thought that one day Bear will come across the awful news and media coverage we've witnessed over the last couple of days."
It tears me apart even more knowing that I won't be able to shield him from that in the days to come.
Girls Aloud attended Liam Payne's funeral to show their support for Cheryl.
In November 2024, Cheryl was accompanied by her Girls Aloud friends during Payne's funeral, where he was finally buried a month after his unexpected passing.
CONNECT WITH US ON WHATSAPP: Keep up with the newest news in celebrity updates, lifestyle trends, and opinions by joining our WhatsApp channel. Enjoy a comment-free experience with no pesky algorithms, and rest assured that your personal information remains confidential.
