Irish Queen of Pop Nadine gives the most shocking interview of 2010!
Feuds, fallouts, sniping and snubs. For a band who haven't released any new material in nearly two years, Girls Aloud are still making one hell of a din.
And somehow it's Nadine Coyle who finds herself cast as the villain of the piece. Her relocation to LA three years ago has, according to some, rendered a group reunion impossible.
Earlier this year there were claims from the Girls Aloud camp that the only person holding up a reunion was Nadine.
But behind the headlines, there's another side to the story. In an astonishingly frank interview, Nadine tells us she's genuinely baffled at the blame dumped at her door - especially as she claims she's made repeated attempts to get in touch with the others which have gone ignored.
Until now, only her closest friends and family have seen the distress she's tried to hide.
"It's upsetting because people think it's my fault," she says. "When I was first told that's what everyone was thinking, I couldn't understand it - why blame me? How has it swung in that direction? I really don't know. I thought everything in the garden was rosy.
"Two years ago, we all agreed to take a break to give people time to do their own things, and this has all just blown up. It really hurts when I hear things like I'm holding the girls back. It's just absurd. People can make up their own minds but honestly, it's not true."
Nadine Coyle's shoot
She's expressive as she talks, and her voice goes up an octave, indicating her confusion. It's not quite clear why, but the tight-knit friendship the five girls formed after being thrown together eight years ago on Popstars The Rivals seems to no longer exist as far as Ms Coyle is concerned.
There is speculation that Nadine has been frozen out by Kimberley Walsh, 28, Sarah Harding, 28, Cheryl Cole, 27, and 25-year-old Nicola Roberts. There were even whispers - later denied - that she was set to be ousted, with the other four happy to go on without her.
Whatever the reality, the future of the record-breaking girl band looks uncertain at the very least.
"Maybe next year?" says Nadine, when asked when the five of them might think about reuniting. But she doesn't sound anything close to convinced.
The last of the gang to branch out on her own, Nadine, 25, is preparing to launch her career as a solo artist. With her recent engagement to hunky American footballer Jason Bell, 32, it marks a new chapter in her life, but there are four people who aren't sharing in her excitement.
Why? Because Nadine isn't in close contact with any of her band mates. She says none of them has called to congratulate her on Jason's proposal - indeed she struggles to recall the last time she spoke to the girls.
Relaxing in her dressing room at our studio in LA, Derry-born Nadine says: "I don't speak to the girls, not regularly. But that doesn't mean there's a problem on my part - there are loads of people in my life I don't speak to regularly. I can only speak for myself because I don't know what's going on in other people's personal lives, but there's no animosity. Not from me, anyway."
Recently, Nadine told Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills that Cheryl hadn't replied to the get-well text she sent while the X Factor judge was recovering from malaria earlier this year.
But in truth, the lines of communication broke down months before that. Nadine claims she tried to reach Cheryl this time last year when her band mate's debut solo single, Fight For This Love, was released. But she says she never heard a peep back.
"I texted her when she had her single out, and I bought the album, but no, I haven't heard from her in quite some time," she says, her Northern Irish accent still broad despite the years in the States.
And why does she think that might be?
Nadine shrugs: "It's probably because she's busy and doing whatever."
Perhaps even more telling is Nadine's brutally straightforward answer when questioned about which band member she's closest to.
"At the minute, none of them," she says instantly. "We've known each other since we were 16 and everybody moves on. It's like when you go on holiday with someone and say: 'Let's be friends forever!' It doesn't work out like that. It's just one of those things."
And surely, as time goes on, as relationships become more distant and solo careers begin to bear fruit, so the chances of a reunion slip away.
Nadine adds: "I've got my solo stuff, Cheryl's got lots going on, Nicola's got her make-up, Kimberley's doing her presenting and Sarah, I dunno, she's probably just taking time to relax.
"There are about 30 people involved with Girls Aloud and all of them have to come together and make it a priority.
"Me and the girls always work together really well. But don't worry because, as far as friendships go, I've got loads and loads of friends. I'm really not struggling in that area."
We don't doubt it because Nadine is a bundle of utter loveliness. She's charming, chatty and remains good-humoured throughout our six-hour photo shoot. SHE'S AN ANGEL. <3
She also looks like a goddess - all dewy skin, perfect teeth and slender limbs. Yes, the much-debated figure is very, very slim (the size-6 outfits we've brought along for her all have to be pinned in), but not as scarily skinny as some photographs have suggested. She even - heaven forbid! - eats a slice of pizza between shots.
"My friend called me up and said: 'Nadine! Oh my God! You look terrible. How come you got so skinny?'
"I told her I was the same size as I was the last time we met two days ago. She said: 'Don't look at the pictures, just don't look!'
"Everyone knows that you can get a great picture or a terrible one. Photos can be deceptive and I'm proof of that.Having said that, I definitely don't overeat. I eat healthy food like soups and salads because if you fill your body with rubbish you'll get fat and you won't be able to do anything. Why make life hard for yourself?"
She nods over in the direction of her father Niall, who has arrived to drive her home.
"You've seen my dad and what a beanpole he is!" she says. "That's just how I'm built. None of my friends or family has ever been into dieting and definitely not starving yourself.
"My mammy's always going on about starting a diet, but she usually says it as she's eating a bar of Galaxy or tucking into a bag of sweets!"
LA LA Land
The Coyle clan joined Nadine in LA shortly after she moved there. Mum Lillian and Niall now help run the thriving family pub Nadine's Irish Mist on Sunset Beach. Younger sister Rachael, 23, works for Nadine, while older sister Charmaine, 33, is a full-time mum of four.
"If the family hadn't come with me, I'd never have moved here permanently. Ireland is home but I also have homes in London and LA and a business here," Nadine says.
Girls Aloud dazzle at the Brits in 2009 Girls Aloud dazzle at the Brits in 2009
And of course, Jason's here too. Nadine's not wearing her rock today - she's frightened of taking it off and forgetting it - but there's an unmistakable glow when talk turns to her boy.
"He always strives to make me happy," she says. "He's very open and protective. We were friends for a long time before we got together. He was one of my guy mates. And, looking back, I told him exactly what to do to win me over. I'd talk to him about what I looked for in a boyfriend!"
But Nadine's not planning on getting hitched any time soon.
"Jason said: 'We can do it tomorrow if you want.' And I was like: 'OK I appreciate that, but we won't!' We don't even live together all the time. We've got our own places, which is great - there's always the threat of going somewhere else!
"I've never been one of those wedding girls. A friend of mine who's getting married was like that too, until she got engaged and now it's wedding overdrive - she already knows exactly what her hair's going to be like and the wedding's not until 2012!
"I've got loads of weddings to go to over the next couple of years, so there's not going to be much time to plan my own big day."
Especially not at such a crucial stage of Nadine's career.
Flying SOLO
Her first solo single, Insatiable, is released on November 1 and the album of the same name follows a week later.
Cheryl's second album was originally due out on the same day, teeing up an epic chart battle, but Nadine, who has been writing with Robbie Williams' former right-hand man Guy Chambers, says she's relieved that now won't be the case.
"After working together for so many years and having gone through all the stuff we've gone through, to have records coming out on the same day would have been ridiculous.
"To suddenly work against each other wouldn't have been right and if it had been the case, I would have moved my release date because we don't need that."
Her '80s-esque rock sound is in contrast to Cheryl's pop.
"My album is so personal because I've been heavily involved in every aspect. I'm wrapped up in it so completely.
"I don't do any choreographed dance routines like Cheryl. I'm much more about the music and being able to sing live. That was always really important to me. And I think I'm a lot more soulful than Girls Aloud ever was."
She's come a million miles since she first found fame in 2001, winning a place in girl band Six on the Irish version of Popstars. Nadine was forced to quit the group when it emerged that she was 16 - two years younger than the minimum age. Not that she ever lets such hurdles hold her back! She went on to audition for the UK's Popstars The Rivals in 2002, winning a place in Girls Aloud.
Then, earlier this year, with no recording contract for her album, she instead set up her own company, Black Pen Records, financing the project through a deal with Tesco, who will sell the album exclusively in its stores.
"There were a few record companies I was torn between, but things didn't work out. One of them wanted Girls Aloud mark II, so it was obvious we were never going to get on. I can't do that on my own.
"The Tesco deal was the safer investment. But there's a lot of work. I'm fielding 200 emails a day, dealing with mixes, mastering, producer contracts and stuff that needs to be done.
"I've been saying 'yes' to this and 'no' to that, then looking over my shoulder for someone to check with... But there's no one there. It's given me freedom and the chance to express myself in a way I've never been able to.
"I don't feel any pressure to get to No1. If I even begin to do that then life will become really difficult. My team are business people and they see this as a long-term project rather than the instant gratification of a No1."
Nadine's found it strange getting used to life in the studio without the other girls in tow.
"It's been very quiet," she says. "When there's the five of us it's all RAAAAAAAAGH!! So getting used to the quiet has been strange. I have a great team I'm working with so there are familiar faces. Just not those four particular familiar faces."
She flashes that megawatt smile. It's the sort of smile that could get her off a murder charge. "But really," she says, "what on earth have I got to complain about?"
Insatiable is out on November 1. The album of the same name follows on November 8. BUY IT OR DIE.
So have you ever...
~Checked the texts on a boyfriend's phone?
Yes and it's never a good idea. Even an innocent "hello" can be misinterpreted.
~Kissed a girl?
Yes. Whenever Kimberley's drunk too much wine she gets you with those big full lips of hers.
~Turned up for work still drunk from the night before?
Yes. No! Yes! Way, way back in the beginning.
~Used your fame to get something for free?
I'd like to say no but that's probably not the truth.
~Uttered the phrase: "Don't you know who I am?"
No. Never.
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