Biography

Biography


Rachel Lauren Stevens was born 9th April 1978. Rachel was born and raised in North-West London in United Kingdom (Engaland). Rachel's parents are Linda and Michael Stevens but were later divorced When Rachel was around 15. Rachel has two brothers (Leigh) and (Jason) At the age of 15 she caught the attention while beating out 5000 competitors and winning a modeling contest sponsored by UK teen magazine Just 17. But after her modeling jobs dutites, she decided to study at the London College of Fashion, where she achieved a diploma in business which Rachel really had a passion for. At the age of 17 she passed her driving test and got her own car. Rachel finished her Fashion course and decided to work with a film company. Rachel later decided to leave and pursue a music career. At the age of 20 Rachel was approached to become a member for a upcoming pop group which was later called S Club 7. The pop group, which was managed by Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, were auditioning for a new pop band and over 10,000 auditioned for it. The members was later decided and in 1999 the UK was introduced to Rachel Stevens, Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara, Hannah Spearritt. There first single was titled 'Bring It All Back' which charted at Number 1 in the UK Charts. The band went on and sold 16 million records worldwide. S Club 7 had a famous BBC television series. In the year 2000 Paul Cattermole departed from the group and in April 21 2003 S Club announced there were spliting up and were going on to solo projects but said they will remain friends. It didnt take Rachel very long to get a record deal, Simon Fuller signed Rachel to 19 records (polydor) at the age of 25 to a solo four-album deal which was worth £1.5million. Rachel said she was looking forward to the challenge. Septmber 15th 2003 her first solo single 'Sweet Dreams My La Ex' which was written by Cathy Dennis was released. It was a huge hit in the UK, Rachel was midweek number #1 but was revealed on UK TOP 40 Sundays chart she got to number #2 just missing out too 'Black Eyed Peas'. The single was orignally offered to Britney Spears but she turnt it down and was later offered to Rachel. Rachel said "The first single is a great example –the first time I heard it I knew it’s what I wanted." 'Sweet Dreams My La Ex' was certified silver for sales of 275,000 in the UK. Near the end of 2003 the song was the #17th best selling single in the UK and number#6 at the Record of the Year 2003. Rachel released her debut album titled 'Funky Dory' which charted at a high number #09. She released her second single which was titled 'Funky Dory'. The single was a remixed version and sounded different from the album track. Her second single charted at #26 and sold 20,000 copies. Rachel returned in 2004 to record a brand new single called 'Some Girls' which was written by Richard X and Hannah Robinson. The single was a charity single for Sports Relief. The single 'Some Girls' received positive reviews from music critics and was prooved to be a big success, reaching number #2 in the UK Charts. 'Some Girls' was released 12th July 2004 and sold 130,000 copies and stayed in the Charts for twelve weeks. 'Some Girls' also won the Best Pop Record of 2004 through the Popjustice £20 Music Prize. The album was re-released with brand new re-worked and new tracks along with new artwork. The album re-appeared in the UK album charts at number #13 and altogether sold 310,000 copies making the album Platinum in the UK. Rachel released her fourth solo single which was a cover of 'Andrea True Connection' 'More More More'. The single was re-worked and was shorten down compared to her album version. The single was released on the 4th October 2004. The single was more disco then the album track. More, More, More made number #3 in the charts and sold 68,000 copies. Rachel's version of the song More More More charted much better then Andrea True Connection and Bananarama. Rachel's version of More More More was used as the UK 2004 Sky Sports premiership theme tune. The single even earned Rachel a Guinness World Record for the "Most Public Appearances by a Pop Star in 24 Hours in Different Cities" seven on 8–9 September 2004. Rachel was back with a brand new sound, single and album. In early 2005 Rachel announced her new catchy single 'Negotiate With Love' which was released on the 28th March 2005 and charted at number #10 which sold 31,000 copies. In March 2005 Rachel took part in the 2005 Comic Relif Red Nose Day chairty by playing a character called "Jane-Mary" in Spider-Plant Man. She was appearing with famous actor Rowan Atkinson for the BBC sketch. Her second single 'So Good' was released on the 4th July from the long awaited second Studio album. The single So Good also charted at number #10 with 30,000 copies being sold. In mid 2005 Rachel got involed by fronting the 'Everyman Testicular Cancer Awareness' campaign which Rachel was the first woman to represent this campaign. Rachel commented, "Sometimes men need a little encouragement to think about their health. This is a funny way of raising awareness about a serious subject." Rachel also took part in the Make Poverty History campaign. Rachel donated an undisclosed amount of money to the campaign and featured in a television and magazine advertisements supporting the cause. Rachel released her third and final single 'I Said Never Again' on October 3rd 2005 from the second studio album 'Come and Get it' which charted at number #12 and sold 29 000 copies. The second studio album was released on October 17th 2005 and charted at number #28 and sold 10,000 copies. Two years after the album's release, The Guardian placed it in their article "1000 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" list. Rachel recored a TV documentary of her being followed by a camera from her recording So Good to her filming I Said Never Again. The show was called 'My World' and was aired on T4 around October. Rachel announced she will be doing a UNI tour in the UK. 2006 saw Rachel took a break from the spotlight and flew to LA and to London from time to time. In 2007 Rachel fronted Focus Dailies contact lenses. Mark Halling, Focus Dailies brand manager, said: "As a Focus Dailies with AquaComfort wearer herself, Rachel Steven is a great ambassador for the brand and we are delighted to be working with her again." Rachel flew to LA and was re-united with her first love Alex Bourne in June 2007 in LA. They were both childhood sweethearts and Rachel's first love. In June 2008, Rachel became engaged to Alex Bourne on there holiday in Italy. The couple were planning to get married in the autumn of 2008 but decided to postpone their wedding until August 2009 due to Rachel signing to BBC compeition Strictly Come Dancing. On June 30th 2008 Rachel joined various celebs including popstar Will Young to a pedalo trip near Windsor to raise money for The Mood Foundation, which helps people dealing with addictions. Rachel said "I will be pedaling down The River Thames on july 30th to raise money for The Mood Foundation.www.moodfoundation.com. If you like the idea please sponsor me and show your support Thank you Rachel x" Rachel raised £350.00. September 2008 Rachel signed up for series six BBC Strictly Come Dancing'. Rachel was partnered with Vincent Simone and they broke 3 strictly records together and was hailed as the perfect package. They went on to the final and came second place. Rachel and Vincent also appeared on the 2008 and 2009 Christmas Specials. 2009 Rachel took to the Strictly 09 tour and won most of the live shows by gaining the most wins then any other contestent. Rachel also got involved with more charity work in 2009 by getting involved with Heels That Heal campain which aim is to raise £500,000 to fund vital research into underfunded women's health issues. Rachel put herself up for an auction and the lucky winner will get the chance to have an afternoon tea with Rachel. Rachel also got involed with Oxfam by backing the campaign which helps midwives, HIV carers, and life-changing work in their communities. In August 2nd 2009 Rachel got married to childhood sweetheart Alex Bourne. They graced the OK magazine with an exclusive interview and photshoot of there big day. The happy couple went to the Seychelles for there honnymoon and OK magazine got an exclusive interview and photoshoot whilst on there honnymoon. In December 2009 Rachel posted a message on her official fourum announcing she will returning to music, she explains "It's very early stages at the moment, but I'm going into the studio in the New Year ... all very exciting! I'll keep you all posted with what's going on." In May 2010 Rachel was challenge by Braun to bare her legs for 4 weeks, Rachel says "It’s finally arrived, the first day of my Braun Silk-épil 4 week challenge! For those of you who do not know, Braun has challenged me to use the new Xpressive Pro eplilator and bare my legs everyday for 4 weeks. As the epilator is designed to remove hairs as short as a grain of sand, I will apparently have the freedom to reveal my pins everday, without having to worry about about those in-between days waiting for hair re-growth. I’m so glad I hit the high street last week to stock up on this season’s hottest leg-loving staples. My top purchases were a pair of denim shorts from Topshop, a gorgeous body con dress from Whistles, and a pair of cage sandals from Miss Selfridge…very Chloe! So today it’s all about preparing to bare. This morning I treated my toes to a splash of my favourite nail colour – the fresh, minty polish JADE by Chanel. With the weather being a little less ‘hot’ than my thigh-high hemlines, I’m also thinking about a touch of fake tan. My favourite product is St Tropez mixed with a bit of moisturiser for a lovely sun kissed glow. Make sure you sign up for alerts so you can follow me through my experience. I will be sharing my beauty secrets, my fashion loves and behind-the-scene footage of red carpet events!! Rachel x" On the 19th May 2010 Rachel & Alex announced that Rachel was expecting their first child, which is due in November. June 1st saw Rachel become the face of a World Cup perfume. She is the face of Eau De Stade which combines the smells of the football field with natural South African fragrances. The unisex perfume has been created by Sky+HD. Pregnant Rachel, 32, said: “Although I can’t make it out to South Africa, a spritz of Sky+HD Eau De Stade means I can bring a little bit of the World Cup to my living room.