Cheryl Cole, one of the UK’s most beloved pop stars, has caused a stir with a bold confession about her tumultuous relationship with former One Direction member Liam Payne.
In a new interview, the singer-turned-entrepreneur opened up about her past marriage to Payne, which she called a “nightmare” and accepted full responsibility for their breakup. Her candid comments are shedding new light on a relationship that was heavily scrutinised by the public and the media.
The pair, who met while working together on The X Factor in 2015, quickly became one of the most talked-about couples in entertainment. Their whirlwind romance, followed by the birth of their son Bear in 2017, seemed like a perfect fairytale.
In her interview, Cheryl reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of being in the relationship and the challenges they faced both as a couple and as individuals.
“I have to be honest, looking back, I can see why things didn’t work out. It’s my fault,” Cheryl confessed, breaking her silence after years of keeping her personal life a secret. “I wasn’t the best partner. I wasn’t the best version of myself at the time, and that definitely affected things.”
The confession comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the intense media pressure the couple faced during their time together. The couple, who were often considered one of pop music’s most glamorous couples, were constantly under the spotlight.
Cheryl, who had been married twice before (once to footballer Ashley Cole and later to French businessman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini), acknowledged that her past relationships, combined with the intense public attention on her life, played a major role in the downfall of her marriage to Payne.
“It wasn’t easy being under constant scrutiny,” she explained. “And I think I carried that pressure with me into my relationship. I didn’t give Liam the space he needed and I didn’t communicate as well as I should have.”
Cheryl’s honesty about the emotional toll fame took on her personal life is refreshing, especially since celebrities often shy away from talking about the negative impacts of their public personas.
But despite the challenges, Cheryl stressed that her relationship with Liam wasn’t without its good times. “We had some beautiful times together. We were both going through a lot and we did the best we could. But ultimately, I now know that it wasn’t the right relationship for either of us.”
Cheryl’s decision to take full responsibility for the breakup reveals a maturity that many fans appreciate, as it shows her growth and introspection since the relationship ended.
Liam Payne hasn’t commented directly on Cheryl’s recent statement, but he has spoken out in the past about the strain their relationship endured. In interviews, she has mentioned the pressures of parenthood and the struggles that come with balancing career and personal life. “It was really hard,” Payne said in a 2022 interview. “We were both under a lot of pressure and I think we just didn’t have the right tools to handle it.”
While Cheryl and Liam have moved on from their marriage, the former couple share a bond through their son, Bear, who remains their top priority. “I’ll always be there for him and he’ll always be there for me,” Cheryl stated, speaking of her relationship with Liam as co-parents. “Our son is the most important thing in the world to both of us, and that’s something we’ll always share.”
Despite the personal challenges she faced in her relationship with Liam, Cheryl has continued to thrive in her career. Since her split from Payne, the star has remained a prominent figure in the music industry, focusing on her music and business.
Recently, Cheryl has been preparing to return to music with new projects on the horizon. “I’m excited for what’s next,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve grown a lot, both as a person and as an artist. I’m ready to show the world who I really am.”
Cheryl’s vulnerability in admitting her mistakes and accepting responsibility for the breakup is a testament to her growth over the years. In an industry that often demands perfection, her willingness to address the painful parts of her personal life is a refreshing reminder that no one’s path is free of setbacks. Fans have been overwhelmingly supportive of Cheryl’s transparency, with many praising her for being honest and open about her past.
Even though Cheryl and Liam’s relationship ended in heartbreaking fashion, the lessons they’ve learned and the personal growth they’ve experienced since their split are undeniable. They’ve both moved on, focused on their individual careers, and raised their son with love and care. And for Cheryl, the next chapter of her life looks brighter than ever.
