Within minutes of releasing tickets for their 2024 show arena tour next year, the reunion of Girls Aloud had officially broken the internet as fans scrambled to get their hands on them.
It’s been 11 years since the girl band phenomena parted ways back in 2012 and over two decades since they first formed on Popstars
And as Closer recently reported, following the devastating loss of their band mate Sarah Harding to breast cancer last year at the age of 39, the band had vowed to put past feuds or tensions behind them to give fans the best time and honour her.
However, with extra arena dates being added to the tour and the likes of Vogue jostling for time with the band, a source tells Closer that the effects of the girls’ new lease of fame have snowballed – and Cheryl is adamant that they need someone to take charge.
The insider says, “Cheryl feels as though she has earned herself the position at the top spot of the group now that they've reformed a second time around, this time as a four piece.
“With her solo success and all the big names in pop that she’s worked with, so far it’s a case of ‘Cheryl knows best’. She’s presenting herself as the leader of the pack. It’s not that Cheryl looks down at the other girls, she just thinks it’s a no-brainer that as the most successful solo artist she should have a bigger say in all the major decisions.”
While Cheryl, 40, Nadine, 38, Kimberley, 42, and Nicola, 38, have so far put on a united front for interviews that have visibly left them on the verge of tears as they reminisce on their time with Sarah, rumours of jealousy within the band have been circulating ever since their shock split.
In 2017, Nadine admitted, “There’s always politics in any band… It’s so sad for me to have to admit this stuff now… you want everybody to think we’re best friends and we have pillow fights and, you know, drink milkshakes. That’s what I wanted it to be…but it just wasn’t how it was. So yeah there was [a divide]. We’re all very, very different characters.”
Reports also emerged that the other girls had been jealous of Cheryl’s success when she won over music mogul and her former X Factor boss, Simon Cowell – joining The X Factor in 2008.
The following year, the band announced they would be taking a hiatus and rumours of a 2010 album were later dismissed as Cheryl’s solo career took off.
Later that same year, Cheryl had already released her first album, 3 Words. with music big-hitter will.i.am. The three-time platinum-selling album debuted at number one in the UK and the following year she was nominated for a Brit Award.
And while she hasn’t released any music since her single Let You in 2019, Cheryl’s theatre debut for 2:22: A Ghost Story on London’s West End earlier this year was met with rave reviews.
And now the source says Cheryl – who appeared to take the lead on the questions during the band’s Vogue interview and has been dominating headlines – is keen to impart the knowledge she’s garnered from her solo success to help the band make their tour their best yet.
The insider adds, “She feels as though she’s had a lot more experience than the other girls, having had a taste of success Stateside – and having several solo covers for British Vogue.
“Their team are worried that as they get closer to the stadium tour there is going to be a real power struggle, especially when it comes to outfits, stage placing and who sings what. They don’t want a queen bee takeover situation.”
However, the source says Cheryl’s well-meaning influence is causing tension behind the scenes as her bandmates are adamant that their voices be heard, too.
The insider says, “Nicola is very opinionated when it comes to which songs she thinks the girls should perform on stage, while Kimberley would like a chance to sing more, and Nadine is very protective over all her solo parts.”
But Cheryl – who has been a single mum to six-year-old Bear since her split from Liam Payne in 2018 – is said to be confident that after so much history and heartbreak, the band can come together to make this work.
The source adds, “She’s confident now that it’s all going to go her way, but other people around her are not as convinced.
“At the end of the day, none of them want this to turn into a massive cat fight or brawl behind the scenes, but some of the girls feel they might need to have an awkward conversation with Cheryl so that they can move forward – together – in the New Year.”