"I Proved Them All Wrong - One Direction Were Like Family" Join us for an inspiring episode as Cher Lloyd delves deep into her journey from a breakout star on X-Factor to overcoming the challenges of media scrutiny and personal transformation.  At just 16, Cher quickly rose to fame, finishing fourth on the show and charting hits in both the US and UK. Yet, behind the scenes, she faced intense media torment that shaped her public image into something she didn’t recognise.  In this heartfelt interview, Cher reveals the true self behind the 'villain' persona once painted by the press, sharing insights into the real-life impacts of fame and the media's role in it. Cher also opens up about her personal growth through motherhood and how it shifted her career trajectory, discussing the industry's cold shoulder during her pregnancy and her decade-long partnership with her husband, Craig.  After a significant break from music, Cher is back, ready to reclaim her space in the music industry with newfound resilience and empowerment.  Tune in to hear how Cher Lloyd transforms adversities into a powerful narrative of self-acceptance and determination, proving that stepping back can be a pathway to leaping forward. If you or someone you know needs support, please see the charities below: APNI (The Association for Post Natal Illness) - https://g2ul0.app.link/L4J3lVyowQb Mind (useful contacts for post natal depression) - https://g2ul0.app.link/6IyLaUmowQb Follow Cher Here: Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/RajyCUByoQb Cher's New Single 'Head Down’ - https://g2ul0.app.link/fWjunOvyoQb Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Get your tickets to 'An Evening with Paul C. Brunson' here: https://bit.ly/keeplove-megaphone Pre-order Keep Love here: https://lnk.to/keeplovebook Sections: 00:00 Intro 02:23 How are you feeling? 04:13 Exploring Cher's Childhood 06:48 Impact of Cher's Upbringing on Her Adult Life 09:27 Cher's Life in the Romany Community 15:42 UK Media's Negative Portrayal of the Traveller Community 16:52 The Beginnings of Cher's Singing Career 18:43 Why Cher Decided to Pursue a Pop Career 22:18 Cher's Audition on X-Factor: A Look Back 30:48 Advice Cher Would Give to Her 16-Year-Old Self 32:41 Reality vs. Portrayal: Cher on the X-Factor 37:34 Mental Health Support for Cher During X-Factor 39:38 Inside Cher's Relationships with X-Factor Judges 44:31 Living with Other Artists: Cher's Experience 44:55 Reaction to Liam Payne's Post: A Discussion 48:57 Negative Media Coverage of Cher During X-Factor 51:01 Keep Love Ad 51:57 Tinder Ad 52:48 Cher Performs 'Stay': Reflecting on Her Uncle's Passing 57:08 Paul's Admiration: Wishing He Could Sing Like Cher 57:35 Cher's Career After the X-Factor: What's Next? 58:51 Cher Reflects on 'Swagger Jagger' Years Later 01:01:51 How the UK Media Labeled Cher Post-X-Factor 01:05:22 Examining Sexism in the Music Industry: 2010 vs. Today 01:11:23 Cher's Success in the US: A Detailed Look 01:14:56 Cher Discusses Her Struggle with Belonging in the US 01:19:39 Why Cher Returned to the UK 01:20:10 Does the UK Now Love Cher? 01:20:33 Cher's Future Career Plans Revealed 01:22:29 Cher and Taylor Swift: A Musical Collaboration 01:25:32 Cher Proudly Talks About Being a Great Mom 01:26:25 How Parenthood Changed Cher: Becoming a Better Person 01:28:07 Cher and Her Husband Craig: Their Relationship Story 01:34:08 How Motherhood Transformed Cher 01:36:40 Cher's Battle with Postnatal Depression 01:42:25 Cher's Relationship with Social Media Explored 01:45:02 Finding Empowerment 01:46:32 Cher's Most Memorable Conversation 01:51:04 Paul's Key Takeaways from Cher's Journey 01:53:07 Adobe Express Ad Sponsored by: Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices