PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Liz Thomas

Looking fabulous: Cheryl Cole and de Grisogono president and founder Fawaz Gruosi at the Hotel Du Cap in Cap D'Antibes, France before her £250,000 gig


Cheryl Cole had every reason to smile as she posed ahead of her lucrative 30-minute gig at the Cannes Festival last night.

The star was being paid £250,000 for the spot at a dinner hosted by luxury jewellery firm de Grisogono.

And in her mermaid-like floor length, black tulle, strapless Roberto Cavalli dress glowing Cheryl gave them their money's worth.

The 26-year-old wore a boule diamond bracelet and earrings by de Grisogono understood to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Cheryl posed for pictures at the exclusive Hotel du Cap before entertaining guests which included leading figures in fashion including Naomi Campbell and Margerita Missoni.

The star arrived on stage and welcomed the crowd shouting: 'Hello Cannes, thanks for making me feel so welcome.'

Cheryl sang her number one hits Fight for this Love and 3 Words, as well as Parachutes and new track Stand Up.

Such is her premium that organisers at the festival are keen for her to attend a premiere if she can fit it into her schedule.

L'Oreal is a sponsor of the festival and many of the beauty firms' models are attending, including Eva Longoria, Miss Rai and Lost star Evangeline Lilly.

The move to join them propels Cheryl to A-list status.


Diamond girl: Cheryl wore a bracelet and earrings by de Grisogono worth hundreds of thousands of pounds


Around 100 people watched her perform at the de Grisogono dinner.

She has a close relationship with the upmarket firm and has regularly worn pieces by them on The X Factor, during her shows and for photoshoots.

It is understood she has also been given jewellery as a gift for performing by de Grisogono.

It is the latest money spinning deal the star has secured, joining the £1.2million she pocketed for the last series of the talent show, a figure expected to rise this year.

She has also signed deals worth £500,000 each with L’Oreal and Coca-Cola Zero, and seen her debut solo album, 3 Words, go to number one – all of which has helped take her fortune rocket by 150 per cent over the last year from £4million to £10million.


Helping hand: Jeweller Gruosi helps Cheryl adjust her gown


While Cheryl was performing in Cannes, her close friend Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas was appearing at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo.

But he rushed back from his gig to DJ at the party - fuelling rumours of their growing friendship.

There has been speculation about the pair’s growing friendship, fuelled by his comments that she was the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’.

He said in a recent interview: ‘Once you have her – man cannot do any better.’

They first formed a strong friendship after first collaborating on 2008 single Heartbreaker, just a few months after the first allegations that estranged husband Ashley Cole had cheated on her.


Entertained: Cheryl's audience included leading figures in fashion, like supermodel Naomi Campbell


She worked with the U.S. star on three tracks for her debut solo album 3 Words, which was a number one hit.

The Mail reported last month that she was making plans to end her three-and-a-half-year marriage to footballer Ashley.

She announced she was separating from the Chelsea player in February, after a fresh wave of allegations about his infidelity with at least five women claiming to have been involved with him.

Sources say the Girls Aloud singer, 26, is likely to keep the couple's nine-bedroom home just outside Godalming, Surrey, which they bought for £3.5million in 2008.

After alterations, the property is now said to be worth £6million.


source :dailymail