Cheryl

Cheryl Ann Tweedy, known professionally as Cheryl and formerly as Cheryl Cole, is an English singer, songwriter, television personality, dancer and model from Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Born in 1983, she first comes to prominence in 2002 after winning ITV's Popstars: The Rivals as part of Girls Aloud.

Girls Aloud

Girls Aloud forms with Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. The group becomes one of the most successful British girl groups of the 21st century and one of the UK's best-selling girl groups of all time. Their debut single, Sound of the Underground, reaches number one on the UK Singles Chart in December 2002 and later becomes widely regarded as one of the defining British pop singles of the decade.

As a member of the group, Cheryl records seven consecutive studio albums between 2003 and 2008: Sound of the Underground, What Will the Neighbours Say?, Chemistry, Tangled Up and Out of Control, along with greatest hits collections and numerous singles. The group achieves twenty consecutive UK Top 10 singles, including four number ones: Sound of the Underground, I'll Stand by You, Walk This Way with Sugababes, and The Promise. Their work with production team Xenomania is known for experimental songwriting, unusual song structures and genre-blending production. Girls Aloud win the BRIT Award for Best Single in 2009 for The Promise.

Solo career

Cheryl begins a solo career in 2008 after appearing on Heartbreaker, a collaboration with will.i.am, and signs a solo recording contract in 2009. Between 2009 and 2014 she achieves five UK number-one singles as a solo artist: Fight for This Love, Promise This, Call My Name, Crazy Stupid Love and I Don't Care. At the time, she becomes the first British female solo artist to reach five UK number-one singles.

3 Words

3 Words marks Cheryl's debut solo album. It is executive produced largely by will.i.am and includes contributions from Fraser T. Smith, Wayne Wilkins, Taio Cruz, Soulshock & Karlin and Syience. The album combines dance-pop, contemporary R&B, electropop and house, debuts at number one on the UK Albums Chart and is certified triple platinum by the BPI. Its singles include Fight for This Love, 3 Words featuring will.i.am, and Parachute. During its promotion, Cheryl opens for The Black Eyed Peas on British and European dates of The E.N.D. World Tour.

Messy Little Raindrops

Messy Little Raindrops is released in 2010 and expands the pop and R&B sound of her first album. It features production from Wayne Wilkins, will.i.am, J.R. Rotem, Starsmith, Al Shux and Free School, with guest appearances from Dizzee Rascal, Travie McCoy, August Rigo and will.i.am. The album reaches number one in the UK, and its lead single Promise This also goes to number one. Follow-up singles include The Flood and Everyone.

A Million Lights

A Million Lights appears in 2012 and moves towards a more electronic, club-oriented sound, drawing on dance-pop, electropop, EDM and R&B. Cheryl works with Calvin Harris, Alex da Kid, Jim Beanz and will.i.am. The album debuts at number two in the UK and includes the singles Call My Name, Under the Sun, Screw You and Ghetto Baby, the last of which is written by Lana Del Rey.

Only Human

Only Human is released in 2014 and blends contemporary pop, dance-pop, R&B and electronic influences with a more mature lyrical approach. The album enters the UK Top 10 and produces two number-one singles: Crazy Stupid Love, featuring Tinie Tempah, and I Don't Care. It also includes the singles Only Human and Stars.

Television

Outside recording, Cheryl becomes widely known as a judge on The X Factor UK, where she mentors winning contestants and helps shape the careers of several British pop artists.