Nicola Roberts

2002: Popstars: The Rivals

Still a teenager, Roberts auditioned for the reality television series Popstars: The Rivals. Participants checked into a hotel in Kensington, London, before performing to a panel of celebrity judges; Roberts found that, up to that point, she "didn't really have much life experience".^[6] During the auditions she coincidentally sat next to Kimberley Walsh, who was to complete the competition to become one of five in the final line-up of the girl group; the two spent time rehearsing before their solo audition.^[6] Roberts felt confident before the audition, but during the actual audition she was "terrified" and was unable to smile until celebrity judge Geri Halliwell complimented her performance stating "I think you're great, you're an individual, you really stand out".^[7] Roberts found her clothing and personality were different from those of the other participants in Popstars: The Rivals; most were well-trained vocalists and were well-dressed, while her clothing was less fashionable, due to lack of funds, and she was not as vocally well-trained as the others.^[7]

Having progressed in the competition, Roberts was left as one of 15 remaining participants but found that the reality show was becoming increasingly based on personality instead of vocals.^[7] She found her personality to be more concealed than others', but was "confident" with her performances.^[8] One notable incident during the competition was when a show-producer expressed to her mother that Roberts would not win, for she was not "outrageous" or as outgoing as others stating that vocals were secondary. This left her mother shocked by the politics of the show.^[8] After the final ten participants were selected Roberts was eliminated from the competition, but in the following weeks after participant Nicola Ward quit, she was enlisted as a wild-card to return to the show – despite reservations from judge Louis Walsh, who did not back her return. However, he was overruled by judges Geri Halliwell and Pete Waterman.^[9][5] Roberts then made it through to the final where she sang the track "I'm So Excited" by the Pointer Sisters. She was the second contestant to be selected for the group, after Cheryl Tweedy.^[10] That night the group was formed, and a party involving promotional photographs saw their introduction to manager John McMahon, who would become more of a personal friend for the group.^[11]

Roberts described her time on the show Popstars: The Rivals and her successes within the show:^[12] "Every week before I went on stage I used to go to the toilet, to the same cubicle, and pray, just ask God to please let me have this. Even though I was confident in my singing ability, and I knew I had a stronger voice than most at the time same time I still had a little bit of insecurity because I'd been told Louis didn't want me. I was never in the bottom two, though, and the producers told me I always came in the top two or three in terms of votes each week, which was great."

2002–2009: Girls Aloud

After their formation on Popstars: The Rivals, the group Girls Aloud went on to record their debut single and music video. In addition to that, a large stint of publicity left the group exhausted, since McMahon continually pressured them to promote the single "Sound of the Underground".^[14] At this point, the competition with Popstars: The Rivals was still ongoing with the two groups; Girls Aloud and One True Voice competing to outsell each other with their debut single releases.^[15] Girls Aloud ultimately won the competition with their single topping the UK Singles Chart and gaining a record deal from Polydor Records. In the following days, however, news broke that McMahon had died in a car accident, shortly after texting Roberts, who was too busy to respond.^[16] The death of McMahon had a large impact on Roberts, who found herself increasingly emotionally unstable; it came at a time when she moved in with bandmate Cheryl Tweedy, this being the first time she had lived without her family.^[17] Thus, at this time Roberts was under great stress; the biggest problem, though, was the constant media criticism of her image, in which critics labelled her "unattractive".^[18]

Girls Aloud as a group enjoyed many successes, including two entries into the Guinness Book of World Records for "Most Successful Reality Television Group" and "Most Consecutive Top Ten Entries in the UK by a female group".^[19] In addition to this, the band gathered five BRIT Award nominations, winning Best British Single in 2009 for "The Promise".^[20] The group earned four UK number one singles, twenty consecutive UK top-ten singles and critically they have been well-received with most albums, although Roberts found at times critical opinion was "less than desirable".^[21] Their debut album, Sound of the Underground, peaked at number two in the UK and was certified Platinum. Their second album, What Will the Neighbours Say?, was certified double Platinum and peaked at number six. The third album, Chemistry, saw a critical improvement, but failed to enter the UK top ten. The fourth album, Tangled Up, became another Platinum-certified album, peaking at number four. Finally, their fifth record, Out of Control, became their first studio album to reach number one in the UK.^[21][22] In 2009, Girls Aloud took a break after embarking on their 2009 Out of Control Tour in support of the Out of Control album – which became their most extensive tour – and following this, each member took time to work on solo projects.^[23]

2010–2013: Cinderella's Eyes, Girls Aloud reunion and other ventures

In the Girls Aloud 2008 biography Roberts expressed an interest in writing and recording her own material, wanting to experiment in the studio for better understanding of the process.^[25] She then started work in the recording studio, with producers such as; Dragonette,^[26] Diplo^[27] and Joseph Mount.^[28] Roberts after a year of recording announced that she would be releasing her debut album, Cinderella's Eyes.^[29] The first single "Beat of My Drum" had an on-sale release meaning it had little promotion beforehand^[30] and commercially it peaked at number 27 in the United Kingdom^[31] but critically it garnered acclaim from critics which Roberts described as "amazing".^[32] A second single "Lucky Day" was released shortly after and whilst gaining positive reviews^[33][34][35] it failed to make an impact commercially peaking at number 40 in the UK.^[36] The album was then released on 23 September 2011,^[37] Roberts described the album as "electronically led",^[30] and the album was inspired by her time performing with Girls Aloud – "It would have been stupid for me to make an album that meant nothing" she said.^[27] For Roberts the album was about making a risky record, where there wasn't a guaranteed commercial success, explaining to The Guardian: "It's taken every last bit of confidence just to release this record, or maybe I've just brainwashed myself into feeling more confident. I don't know if it's good, or if I've just told myself it's good."^[27] The album was released to universal positive reviews from critics,^[24] reviewers such as Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times,^[38] James Lachno of The Daily Telegraph,^[39] Emily Mackay of NME,^[35] Hugh Montgomery of The Independent and others hailed it as the best solo record from a member of Girls Aloud.^[40] Commercially in the United Kingdom the album peaked at number 17^[41] whilst on the Digital charts it peaked at number 13,^[42] in Scotland it charted at number 21^[43] whilst in Ireland it peaked at number 48.^[44] In late 2012, Roberts admitted during a secret show at Carphones Warehouse on Oxford St, to a small pool of journalists, that she was content with and prepared for the potential commercial fallout of releasing an album that was 'unlike anything out there'. On 6 January a third single from the album was released, titled "Yo-Yo" the song was described as a "shining example of her pop sensibilities".^[45]

In January 2012, singer Rihanna chose Roberts to co-host Styled To Rock for Sky Living HD. Roberts was to act as an executive-producer and will search "for the next generation of undiscovered designer talent".^[46]

Nadine Coyle confirmed that Girls Aloud will perform shows around the country at the beginning of 2013 to celebrate their tenth anniversary.^[47] On 11 March, Kimberley Walsh announced that Girls Aloud had started work on a new album.^[48] Roberts was at the time a judge and mentor on Sky Living series Styled To Rock alongside fashion designer Henry Holland and Rihanna. Roberts co-penned "Going Nowhere" for girl group Little Mix's debut album DNA. In December 2013 she received disc award for her help with writing the album. The award was presented to Roberts for her contribution to Little Mix's first album DNA, as it has sold more than 700,000 copies worldwide.^{[49][non-primary source needed]}

After months of speculation, Girls Aloud's reunion would occur in November 2012.^[50] The reunion is said to coincide with their tenth birthday and the release of a charity single for Children in Need. On 31 August 2012, Cheryl confirmed on BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM that the group's new single will be released in November, teasing the lyrics "I just wanna dance". Girls Aloud reunited for the group's 10th anniversary. On 18 November 2012, the group released their new single, "Something New" which was the official charity single for Children in Need. The single peaked at number-two on the UK Singles Chart.^[51] The group released their second greatest hits compilation, Ten on 26 November 2012. The second single taken from Ten, "Beautiful Cause You Love Me" was released on 17 December 2012.^[52] A documentary special entitled 10 Years of Girls Aloud aired on ITV1 on 15 December 2012.^[53][54] In 2013, the group embarked on Ten - The Hits Tour 2013.^[55][56] At the conclusion of the tour, they announced their disbandment.

2013–present: Upcoming second studio album, The Masked Singer and City of Angels

In October 2011, Roberts stated that she had started work on a second album.^[57] On 13 January 2012, Roberts commented on her second album, stating, "Maybe. I'm not sure. There's lots of stuff coming up and I think there always has to be a right time. I'm always working on music and if a second album came out then that would be a great thing to happen."^[58] Roberts wrote four songs for friend and former colleague Cheryl's fourth studio album, Only Human, entitled "It's About Time", "Throwback", "Goodbye Means Hello" and "Yellow Love". On the Girls Aloud's greatest hits album Ten, she contributed the track "On the Metro". Roberts also wrote two songs for Little Mix's second album Salute, entitled "See Me Now" and "They Just Don't Know You".^[59]

In January 2014, producer Fred Ball confirmed he was working with Roberts on a new album.^[60] She also confirmed that she had written for Cheryl's album Only Human, which was released later that year.^[61] In 2018, Roberts worked with Cheryl again, co-writing the songs "Love Made Me Do It" and "Let You".^[62]

It was announced in December 2019 that Roberts would join the City of Angels musical cast, playing the role of Avril/Mallory from March 2020.^[63] In 2020, Roberts participated in the ITV series The Masked Singer as Queen Bee and eventually won the competition.^[64] On 15 August 2020, Nicola performed "The Captive's Hymn" at a VJ Day concert at Horse Guards Parade in London.^[65]

On 4 June 2022, Roberts performed "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" with Mica Paris and Ruby Turner at the Platinum Party at the Palace concert to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.^[66]

In May and June 2024, Roberts and her Girls Aloud bandmates got back together for an arena tour titled The Girls Aloud Show in memory of their late bandmate Sarah Harding.^[67]

Stalker

A former partner sent Roberts 3,000 messages between 2012 and 2017 over Twitter and Instagram, some of which were described as "violent and threatening" when the case came to court. In May 2017, he admitted to one count of stalking and another to causing annoyance or inconvenience and was given a 15-month suspended sentence and a life-time restraining order not to contact Roberts or members of her family.^[70] However, he broke the restraining order within a few months. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) apologised to Roberts in 2018 for failing to prosecute this individual.^[71]

Anti-tanning

At the start of her music career Roberts began to note that other girls were dressing more "glamorous" than she did, and at the age of 16 during her auditions for Popstars: The Rivals, she wished to look like them.^[7] At these times she would feel unattractive due to her pale complexion, and soon began using fake tan to darken her skin tone into what she later described as a "dirty mess" but at the time made her feel more attractive.^[18] Due to her pale skin tone Roberts found herself easily burning in the sun, which led to chronic pain; during the shoot of the Girls Aloud single "Love Machine" she had trouble filming due to severe burns which left her wanting to visit the hospital.^[73] During her time with Girls Aloud she filmed a television special titled Passions for which she travelled to Taiwan where she learnt about natural skin products, something she had been interested in due to her pale complexion and led her to develop the make-up line Dainty Doll.^[74] Following this Roberts began a stance against tanning, which saw her produce and star in a BBC Three investigative documentary titled Nicola Roberts: The Truth About Tanning in which she revealed her own personal tanning issues and those of men and women throughout the UK who have excessively used tanning beds.^[75] She met with families of individuals who had died from melanoma,^[75] which encouraged Roberts to become an advocate for the banning of underage usage of tanning beds. With the help of Julie Morgan, a member of the National Assembly for Wales, she produced a bill in support of the ban.^[76] At the launch of the bill Roberts said "Going into the streets of Liverpool and interviewing the young girls who are obsessed with having a tan and feeling like they had to be brown to be seen as attractive, that whole mentality that they had gathered was just a bigger problem than I ever thought it was."^[76]

Anti-bullying

After winning Popstars: The Rivals, becoming one fifth of Girls Aloud, Roberts soon found herself subject to bullying.^[78] She was branded "the ugly one" of the group, and would often "cry herself to sleep" finding herself to be a victim of "faceless" bullying fuelled by celebrities such as Chris Moyles and Lily Allen.^[78] Soon after the comments had an effect on her mental stability after suffering from an "identity crisis" the taunts brought her close to a breakdown leaving her feeling "miserable and confused" and finding comfort in alcohol.^[78] Prior to her fame Roberts never found flaws with her red hair calling it a "prized possession" but after critics picked on her image she saw it as a flaw with Roberts explaining "I hated it and I hated people judging me. I'd put on the telly and there'd be someone saying something cruel, or I'd open up a magazine and read it. Normal people don't have people telling them day to day they're ugly or miserable. [...] I'd think, "stop being so vain, you've got this amazing job" but it wasn't enough. It didn't stop me feeling bad".^[18] "People feel they can say nasty things and have anonymity behind the net – as they did with all the nasty comments about me – without fear of recrimination", Roberts said, and five years after the bullying she found herself in a "better place", with critics commenting on her image positively with writers such as Clemmie Moodie from British newspaper Daily Mirror saying "the 25-year-old radiates confidence and, with a string of fashion successes has blossomed."^[78]

Roberts then wrote the track "Sticks + Stones" in response to these times, finding herself cautioned by the serious subject matter, she wanted to write a track that was not self-indulgent featuring a "universal" chorus" and lyrics such as "I was too young for so many things. Yet you thought I'd cope with being told I'm ugly".^[78] After the release of her debut album Cinderella's Eyes, which featured the track, Roberts appeared on the British television show BBC Breakfast to discuss bullying in relation to the track.^[79] Soon afterward she advocated the issue on BBC News; in an interview she discussed the lyrical themes of the track, and during the interview named social networking site Twitter as being a tool which highlights the severity of the issue of bullying, finding the problem to be "out of control" in a schooling environment.^[80] Roberts continued to advocate on the issue of bullying; in an interview given to Rolling Stone, she stated she was "sick" of an image-driven society.^[81] After her success with the anti-tanning bill Roberts took a similar stance with bullying saying "it doesn't need to happen" and found that British laws were failing to combat the issue with Roberts saying "People are still scared to go to school, kids are threatening to kill themselves; it's disgusting that it persists. So, again, I'm giving a voice to a cause, to hopefully affect change."^[81] Roberts then progressed to the British education secretary Michael Gove to raise the issue.^[80]