Cher Lloyd

Cher Lloyd is an English singer who first gained public attention in 2010 as a contestant on the seventh series of the television talent show The X Factor, finishing in fourth place. Following her appearance on the show, she signed record deals with Syco Music in the United Kingdom and Epic Records in the United States. She went on to achieve success on global music charts with her debut studio album, Sticks and Stones, and her follow-up release, Sorry I'm Late.

Lloyd was born on 28 July 1993 in Malvern, Worcestershire, to parents Darren and Diane Lloyd. She was raised alongside three younger siblings named Sophie, Josh, and Rosie. Her family is of Romani origin, and she spent the first year of her life travelling in a caravan around Wales. She attended the Chase School and Dyson Perrins High School, where she studied performing arts, and later spent 18 months studying at the Stagecoach theatre arts school from the age of 13.

During her time on The X Factor in 2010, Lloyd performed a variety of songs and rap renditions, including "Turn My Swag On", "Stay", "Just Be Good to Me", and a duet with will.i.am. Despite landing in the bottom two in several weeks, she was saved by the judges and progressed to the final, where she was eliminated in fourth place. From February to April 2011, she participated in the X Factor Live Tour alongside nine other contestants from her series.

In July 2011, Lloyd released her debut single, "Swagger Jagger", which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. Her debut studio album, Sticks and Stones, was released later that year, peaking at number four in the UK and number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album featured further successful singles, including "With Ur Love" featuring Mike Posner, "Want U Back", and "Oath" featuring Becky G. In support of the project, she embarked on her headlining Sticks and Stones Tour in 2012 and opened for Hot Chelle Rae in Australia.

Lloyd began recording her second studio album while parting ways with Syco Music following a disagreement over her career path. In 2014, she featured on Demi Lovato's single "Really Don't Care" and released her second album, Sorry I'm Late. Preceded by the lead single "I Wish" featuring T.I., the album reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart and number 12 on the US Billboard 200. Following the album's release, Lloyd signed a new record deal with Universal Music Group.

In July 2016, Lloyd returned with the single "Activated", followed by signing a deal with Ie:music in 2017. She subsequently released singles including "None of My Business" in 2018 and "M.I.A." in 2019. In 2020, she put out "Lost" and "One Drink Away", followed by the 2021 collaboration "Baddest" with DJ Imanbek. After a hiatus, she released "Head Down" and "Green Light" in 2025, and collaborated with Fuzion on "Sweet Devotion" in 2026.

Musically, Lloyd's work spans pop, R&B, pop-rap, and hip-hop. She has cited singer Dolly Parton and rapper Nicki Minaj as musical influences. In her personal life, Lloyd announced her engagement to Craig Monk in January 2012, and the couple married in 2013. They have two daughters, born in May 2018 and September 2023.