Cheryl Tweedy is "in a different place" as she gears up for her return to television as a coach on The Voice UK, according to her Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh.
The 43-year-old singer will join the coaching panel alongside will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, and Aitch, following the departure of Sir Tom Jones from the show. Kimberley, 44, says Cheryl will be "back doing what she does best," drawing on her own similar experience.
From Popstars to The Voice
Cheryl, Kimberley, Sarah Harding, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola Roberts rose to fame in 2002 after winning ITV's Popstars: The Rivals. Since then, Girls Aloud has become one of Britain's biggest girl bands, with 21 Top Ten singles—four of which reached Number One—six Top Ten albums, and a BRIT Award. Cheryl previously served as a judge on The X Factor.
Speaking to The Sun, Kimberley said: "Cheryl's back doing what she does best. She's going to be amazing. She's so good at that job. She's an amazing judge and mentor. She's seen it from every single angle. She's the perfect choice."
A More Relaxed Return
During the height of her fame, Cheryl was one of the most in-demand musicians, with brand deals including L'Oreal, countless hit singles and albums, and a devoted following that copied her red hair and military-style outfits. This time, Kimberley believes things will be different.
"I think it'll be more chill," she said. "I hope it will be, we're in a different stage of life. But it's really nice."
Fans may wonder if Kimberley and Cheryl—known as Chim—will reunite on The Voice, as they did when Kimberley joined Cheryl as a guest mentor on The X Factor. "We will have to wait and see," Kimberley told the publication, adding that she finds the experience "really stressful" and couldn't say anything negative towards contestants.
Coaching Methods and Show Changes
Although Cheryl has yet to make her full debut, she joined will.i.am as a guest mentor during the Battle Rounds last month. Will revealed he had been trying to get Cheryl to join him for the past 13 years.
Reflecting on her own experience, Cheryl said during a solo interview: "I have stood in the shoes that the contestants are standing in, and I know what it feels like to perform in this environment. You've just got to know that you're good, or you wouldn't be here."
Cheryl's appointment is part of a wider shake-up for The Voice, with Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon confirmed as the show's new presenters. They will take over from Emma Willis, who is moving on after landing a presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing.
