How Cheryl Tweedy is still raking in £6 million a year & other rich ex-girlbanders who are swooping in behind her
ALL that glitters turns to gold for singer turned actress Cheryl Tweedy.
With an eye-watering income of around £6m a year already, her bank balance is no doubt set to soar thanks to a remarkable comeback with Girls Aloud.
But how has Cheryl, who seemingly prefers to live a quieter life out of the media spotlight, managed to amass such an incredible fortune over the years?
Cheryl, 40, who has son Bear, six, with One Direction star Liam Payne, 30, set out on a solo career when the band split back in 2013 with singing and acting gigs drawing in huge sums.
Her recently announced reunion with Kimberley, 41, Cheryl, 40, Nadine and Nicola, both 38, is sure to delight fans after the band were dogged by feud rumours before they split.
Brand and culture expert, Nick Ede, says Cheryl is set to see her income rocket:
"Cheryl can make at least £1 Million from a UK tour, new single and album and personal appearances and endorsements as part of the band.
"She loves to perform as it's her first love and getting back with the girls will connect her once again with her fans but also make her a top earner again."
While going back to her roots is a decision which should prove lucrative for Geordie Cheryl, other stars are sticking to their solo guns.
Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock is gearing up to release her first solo album and experts say she’s going to rake in at least £6m from going alone.
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The 31-year-old is offering one of the most anticipated pop records of the year after the girl band split in 2022. Nick adds that forging - and keeping - a solo career can be the right decision for some.
He says: “We may think that when a superstar pop band decides to call it a day that the money quickly runs out.
“However, lots of our favourite pop stars from girl groups have amassed huge fortunes and utilised their pop fame as a springboard for greater things.
“As part of a group you can stand out for all the wrong reasons and you are also indirectly and directly associated with your fellow band mates.
“The nature of being a famous celebrity is that fans are the ones who will secure and drive your future success - they can make you or cancel you.
“Standing on your own two feet as a solo star is no mean feat but keeping one step in the future with a nod to your past can be a lucrative move as these stars prove."
As well as taking a closer look at how Cheryl has kept the cash rolling in, Yasmin Harisha compiles the ultimate girl band rich list and reveals the former girlbanders who are sticking to their solo guns - and how much they make on their own.
CHERYL TWEEDY
Yearly estimated earnings: £6 million
Estimated worth: £29 million
Since her heyday with Girls Aloud - one of the biggest pop bands of the 2000s - Cheryl has since been on a solo journey.
While her entertainment company’s debt has been reported of £1.35million, Nick claims she still has a fair fortune in the bank.
He explains: “Cheryl began her solo trajectory in June 2008, when she signed on to be a judge on Simon Cowell's TV talent show, The X Factor.
“She also released a single, ‘Cheryl Cole: Fight for This Love’ which quickly rose to No. 1 on the charts.
“Not only does she make residual money from Girls Aloud but she also banks the cash from previously judging on X-Factor, as well as beauty deals with L’Oréal and acting with her 22:22 Ghost Story which proved to be box office gold.
"Cheryl regrouping with Girls Aloud will do wonders for her bank balance.
"For her profile she's selective about her work as she's not done anything public facing since 22:22 Ghost Story.
"She is a national treasure and this will be the perfect way for her to re-establish herself as one of the biggest stars in the UK within the group.
"It may even reignite her solo career and allow her to release new solo material off the back of it too.
"It’s a great move for all the girls who have all gone on to have successful careers out of the group.
"With the success of S Club, Steps, the Sugababes and of course, the Spice Girls, a reunion is a firm fan favourite and it works wonders for your fame, your wallet and your public profile."
VICTORIA BECKHAM
Estimated worth: £58 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £10 million a year
SHE’S a former Spice Girl with arguably the strongest girl power.
Despite never attending the reunion, Victoria Beckham, 49, proved she is better off going solo.
And despite the Spice Girls being set to perform at Glastonbury next year, Victoria will not join her fellow bandmates.
The UK's biggest-ever girl band are thought to be coming together once more at the Somerset music festival, to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Speaking to The Mail On Sunday, a source close to Victoria revealed that she "won't be doing it next year" as she has "carved herself a career as a fashion designer" and "singing is something she has to carefully consider."
Nick says: “Victoria was the last member of the Spice Girls to release a solo album in 2000 with ‘Out of Your Mind’ in collaboration with Dane Bowers which proved to be a hit and debuted at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.
“She spent a couple of years singing, before stepping into the fashion industry with her Victoria Beckham eponymous label in 2008.
“The former singer then launched Victoria Beckham Beauty which then became the most profitable part of her business.
“Although she was a laughing stock at the time of her fashion debut, Posh proved to have the last laugh as is a superstar in the style stakes.”
MEL C
Estimated worth: £27 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £4 million
SHE was one of five members of the Spice Girls, and Mel C certainly proved to be a great sport when going solo.
The 49-year-old embarked on a solo career in 1998 with her debut album Northern Star which sold 4 million copies worldwide and received triple-platinum status in the UK.
Nick says: “Since her sporty spice days, Mel co-wrote 11 UK number-ones and remains the only female performer to top the charts as a solo artist.
“In 2018 she turned her career to DJing, and now presents BBC Radio 2 and is also hosting corporate events, private parties and festivals.”
EMMA BUNTON
Estimate worth: £25 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £6 million
ANOTHER former Spice Girl who is making a good buck after going solo is Emma Bunton.
With over 100 million records sold worldwide and being a part of the best-selling female group of all time, it created a good platform for Emma, 47, to go solo.
Nick says: “She was the Baby Spice of the group, but certainly is a grown up when it comes to making some money.
“In 2001 she scored a Number 1 single with ‘What Took You So Long’ and now she currently presents the Sunday Evening Heart Show, Hearts Feel Good Weekend.
“For the last two years Emma has presented her own Christmas show at the Royal Albert Theatre in which she performs her own songs as well as some from her Spice Girls days.
“And as a side hustle the mum co-owns a children's brand Kit & Kin selling products which are both kind to the planet and don't irritate the child’s skin.”
LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK
Estimated worth: £12 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £6 million
LEIGH-ANNE, 32, sold out stadiums in the X Factor-winning girl group Little Mix, making the foursome one of the best selling girl bands of all time.
After a fiery feud saw Jesy Nelson quit in 2020, Leigh-Anne, 31 - who co-wrote number one singles Wings and Shout Out to my Ex - has welcomed twins and penned a much-anticipated solo album including new single Don’t Say Love. The star has her own production company, a swimwear line [In’A’Seashell] and starred in her own TV documentary Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop and Power.
Nick says: “Leigh-Anne is set to bring in at least six million [from her new album], even more if she scores a hit single.
“She will be lining up a tour for winter to push the album and she has appeal in America too. “There’s still a huge Little Mix fan base out there and she’ll hit the right notes to make them happy and hungry for more.”
ALESHA DIXON
Estimated worth: £10 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £1 million
AS one of the UKs biggest stars, Alesha Dixon has come a long way since her days in Mis-Teeq.
Alesha, 45, was famous for her rapping but is better known for hosting and judging on big television shows.
Nick says: “Alesha’s face is everywhere, so it’s no wonder why she makes the list - she even hosted the Eurovision song contest this year.
“With her endless judging roles around the world she's making millions and doing it well.
“Her personality and her fabulous image have made her into a national treasure.
“She has appeared on shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent, and BBC show The Greatest Dancer.
“The artist also has clothing brands at ASDA and is an author of children’s books - which makes for a great side hustle.”
NADINE COYLE
Estimated worth: £10 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £1 million
SHE was plucked from the masses in 2002 talent show Popstars: The Rivals and dubbed ‘the voice’ of Girls Aloud thanks to her sensational voice.
Of Nadine’s fab fame, Nick says: “The famous five, including Cheryl, Kimberly Walsh and Sarah Harding, scored four number ones and a BRIT Award for hit single The Promise but Nadine, 38, has only got stronger on her own.
“The star slipped on her business shoes to open an Irish-themed bar on Sunset Beach in California, released her own solo singles including Go to Work and Girls on Fire, and sparked a surprising friendship with Caitlyn Jenner in the I’m a Celeb jungle.
“She even headlined Durham Pride this year - this singing superstar is going nowhere.”
FRANKIE BRIDGE
Estimated worth: £9 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £1 million
THIS former S Club Junior and Saturdays singer has proved that she’s so much more than her silky voice.
Frankie, 34, sang with the band for seven years until their hiatus in 2014, and admits she’s barely blurted a note since - but that’s not stopped the millions rolling in.
Nick says: “Frankie married footy star Wayne Bridge and stepped up as a star on telly talent shows like Celebrity MasterChef and I’m a Celeb.
“She often makes her voice heard on Loose Women and isn’t scared to share her demons.
“Her ferocious bravery, speaking out about her breakdowns, breakthroughs and hospitalisations through the Saturdays’ most successful days has made her a face we’ll never forget.”
JADE THIRLWALL
Estimated worth: £7 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £900k
ANOTHER X Factor success story, 30-year-old Jade has spread her wings after Little Mix fame and become the face of some of our favourite brands.
Nick says: “Jade signed a record deal last year and everyone’s anxious to hear what’s bubbling away behind the scenes.
“But it’s not just solo tunes on her trajectory. The star was a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, won Celebrity Bake Off and opened a cocktail bar in her home town of South Shields - cheers to that.
“Jade has made her money as the face of fab brands like Ellesse and Skinny Dip, so it’s no surprise she’s been able to step back from the limelight to concentrate on what makes the big bucks - music.”
PERRIE EDWARDS
Estimated worth: £7 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £4 million
A YUMMY mummy with an eye for style and at just 30 years old, young Perrie is hyping up the pop world trying ‘every sound out there’ for her debut solo album.
Nick says: “Perrie’s been teasing clips of her solo music and she’s pulling out all the stops to make fans ‘the best’ music she can.
“Apparently she’s lined up 11 producers and songwriters, so we’re in for a real treat.
“Perrie has made motherhood her priority but won’t shy away from the limelight. She’s flexed her fashion fingers by launching her own luxe brand called Disora.
“With fingers in plenty of pies and sell-out gigs in the making, Perrie will see her bank balance soar.”
JESY NELSON
Estimated worth: £5.8 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £250k
SHE rose to fame in Little Mix, but Jesy Nelson announced her decision to quit in 2020 after being in the band took a toll on her mental health.
Jesy, 32, then confirmed in 2021 that “music is my life” and she was back in the studio working on her solo career.
Nick says: “Jesy signed a big deal when she left Little Mix which meant she was sealing a future she could command herself.
“She continues to make money from the band, and stays in the spotlight which has allowed her to be endorsed by brands too.
“Jesy has proven to be a woman of many talents as she has also been crowned an award winning documentary maker with her movie on BBC ‘Odd One Out’ - which followed her journey of rehabilitation and mental health.”
ROCHELLE HUMES
Estimated worth: £5.4 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £1 million
SHE may have left The Saturdays, but with a salary like that Rochelle can live everyday like it’s the weekend.
Despite not singing anymore, Rochelle, 34, has used her fame to earn a career in a different part of the showbiz world.
Nick says: “She began her career in pop groups S Club Juniors and The Saturdays but went on to pave her own way into the showbiz land.
“The former singer was able to use her fame to go into presenting shows including This Morning, The Hit List, and Ninja Warrior and is now making a good buck from it.
“And after marrying Marvin Humes, who was a member of the biggest Brit boy bands of it’s time, Rochelle is able to use that to her advantage and team up with him with presenting gigs.
“As well as being a L’Oreal ambassador, Rochelle also owns her own management company The RH Group, and her children's brand My Little Coco which continue earnings for her.”
LOUISE REDKNAPP
Estimated worth: £3.5 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £500k
LOUISE Redknapp is most probably ‘Eternal-ly’ grateful for being a part of the R&B girl group in the nineties.
The singer departed from the group for a solo career in 1995 and she continues to be a big name today.
Nick says: “Louise, 49, had a quadruple-platinum studio album Always & Forever with her girl band Eternal, before going solo.
“She went on to marry professional footballer Jamie Redknapp in 1998 which automatically upped her status in the fame game.
“In 2016, she reached the final in the 14th series of BBC One's 'Strictly Come Dancing' and has re-ignited her solo music career.
“In March, she joined the West End production of '9 to 5', playing the role of Violet Newstead at London's Savoy Theatre until June 2019, and this year at the West End performing in Grease.
“She also has a sell out fashion range with Peacocks, as well as making some cash from her music and divorce money from Jamie after the pair officially split in 2018.”
HEIDI RANGE
Estimated worth: £3.9 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £500k
SHE is best known as a former member of the girl group Sugababes, and since going solo Heidi Range is making a fortune by going solo.
The 40-year-old was a key part in the group's success but has since taken her talents to the West End.
Nick says: “Heidi replaced Siobhan in 2001 in the band and achieved six UK number-one singles before the group split in 2011.
“Since she has gone on to star in the West End adaptation of The War of the Worlds, as well as earn a keep from residuals from Sugababes songs.
“The singer has over 67.7k Instagram followers which allows her to earn a decent keep from endorsements.
“Although she is not in the current line up for Sugababes reunion, Heiidi has proven to us that she is better at being her own babe.”
MOLLIE KING
Estimated worth: £1.5 million
Yearly estimated earnings: £500k
SHE swept us off our feet on Strictly Come Dancing and scored her own weekend show on BBC Radio 1 - Mollie King, 36, gets more done on Saturdays than any of us.
Nick says: “The five-piece pop band was a big deal for Mollie but she’s now even bigger. Singing is just one string to talented Mollie’s bow.
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“She stepped back from stardom to enjoy her newborn baby bubble with superstar cricket partner Stuart Broad, and now she’s back on the airwaves every weekend and has become a regular step-in host on This Morning
“Mollie’s such a loveable character who’s found new talent beyond album tracks. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”