In an interview with the Daily Record, Girls Aloud frontwoman Nicola Roberts has revealed how the media's cruel jibes about her looks damaged her confidence and made her feel unhappy.
"I wasn't happy for a long time because of that," she admits. "Now I am happy and I don't care. I don't focus on trying to be pretty. It's too much effort. I just get up and enjoy the day and have fun. I have goals and know where I'm going. I work hard and I'm comfortable with who I am."
Nicola went on to talk about how working on her new album, and getting the chance to sing about the bullying the press subjected her to, has improved her self-esteem and helped her come out of her shell.
Although she is busy focusing on her solo career for the time being, Nicola was quick to shit on the idea that Girls Aloud had called it a day: "I genuinely look forward to the day when the band are back together. We're all doing our own things, and I've made this record, but we all love being in the band. Whatever happens, each personal project won't dictate what the band does. There is no way we won't celebrate our 10th anniversary next year together."
Nicola's album 'Cinderella's Eyes' is due to be released this autumn, while her single 'Beat of My Drum' is out on June 6.