After a difficult time following the tragic death of former partner Liam Payne, fans were delighted last week when Cheryl made her big return. The singer, 42, was announced as the face of Nivea’s new anti-ageing serum, starring in an advert for the skincare brand. The collaboration comes after Girls Aloud released a new mix of their song Singapore, while also getting ready to put out a deluxe edition of their album Chemistry next month to mark its 20th anniversary.
And an insider tells heat this all part of Cheryl’s ‘new era’. We’re told, ‘She’s hoping it will pull her out of her grief and back into the spotlight on her terms. She wants to take it slowly, but the Nivea campaign has come at the perfect time for her. It’s familiar territory, as she’s obviously worked with beauty brands in the past, so it felt like such a no-brainer. Cheryl wanted to do something to boost her confidence – she loved the idea and felt good about herself.’
Our source goes on, ‘It’s also given Cheryl the courage to consider getting back in the studio, as Singapore has had such a huge welcome from Girls Aloud fans. Nicola Roberts [her bandmate and close pal] is all over the streaming numbers, because she’s trying to convince Cheryl to commit to a new album. Even though it would be bittersweet without Sarah [Harding, who tragically died of cancer in 2021], a lot of Cheryl’s friends think it would be an amazing tribute to her. With Liam gone, Cheryl wants to feel hope and positivity again, to ensure she is still being a brilliant mum to their son Bear.’
First meeting in 2008 when Liam auditioned for The X Factor when Cheryl was a judge, the pair eventually got together almost a decade later, and were in a relationship for just over two years. Welcoming Bear in March 2017, the pair split the following year, but continued to co-parent their now eight-year-old son.
However, Cheryl and Bear’s lives were devastated last October when the former One Direction star tragically died aged just 31, after falling from the third floor of his Buenos Aires hotel room.
Despite a successful run of Girls Aloud reunion shows last summer, Cheryl put her career plans on hold again to make Bear even more of a priority. As heat previously reported, she also felt under so much pressure, she didn’t want to leave her home. ‘Cheryl has always been a bit of a homebody, but her pals have been worried she’s more of a hermit these days as she rarely leaves the house,’ a source said at the time. Until now, Cheryl was last seen publicly in March, when she had dinner with her mum Joan and a friend. But she’s now found the strength to dip her toe back into the showbiz world and has high hopes for the future.
‘Cheryl believes that life is for living, and you have to pick yourself up in tough times. She’s excited to start really living again,’ our source continues. ‘Fans can also expect to see Cheryl back on screen at some point, as she has no shortage of TV offers. She is just trying to pick the right one.
‘When it comes to music, she’s not ruling anything out and has said to Nicola that she will absolutely consider getting back into the studio with the girls. It’s been really heartening to know that fans love Singapore, and it’s made Cheryl realise there are people waiting for their return. She’s also thought about doing a special Greatest Hits release of her solo work, and would love to bring out one more banger to add to the collection.’
The insider adds, ‘Cheryl’s priority will always be Bear, but she must be the best version of herself in order to look after him, so she’s not going to hold herself back. She feels it’s what Liam would want for her.’