Rachel Lauren Stevens (born 9 April, 1978) is a British singer and actress. Formerly with the pop group S Club 7, she has now launched a solo career.

Biography

Stevens was born in Southgate, London to now estranged father Michael Stevens, who is notable for producing a guide to the best places to solicit prostitutes in London, and mother Linda Stevens. She is of Jewish descent.

At the age of 15, Rachel Stevens beat 5000 hopefuls to win a modelling competition arranged by Just 17 magazine.

Then, at the age of 20, Rachel accompanied her brother to an audition in London for a new pop group. Whilst waiting for her brother to audition, she was approached by the judges and was chosen for new band S Club 7 along with Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara and Hannah Spearritt. S Club 7 lasted for four years and split in 2003 (see S Club 7 for more information).

After S Club 7 split up, Rachel Stevens landed a £1.5 million solo four-album deal with Polydor Records and Simon Fuller who also managed S Club 7. By September 2003, "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex" became Rachel’s first solo single penned by Cathy Dennis (who had also written songs for Britney Spears, Spice Girls and Kylie Minogue). The single reached number 2 in the UK single chart, held off the top spot by Black Eyed Peas’ international hit "Where is the Love". The single's success was matched across Europe and was played numerous times accross radio stations in America and was followed by Rachel's debut album Funky Dory. On December 2003, the title-track from the album was released as the second single. "Funky Dory" only reached number 26 in the UK.

In July 2004, Rachel released a brand new single "Some Girls". Produced by Richard X, the single became a huge hit across Europe, and reached number 2 in UK official singles chart. Profits from the single went to the BBC Sports Relief charity. On the back of this success, Funky Dory was re-released to include "Some Girls" another new track, a cover of Andrea True Connection’s "More more more". By November 2004, Rachel was nominated for seven awards along with fellow pop star Britney Spears in the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party. She took home two awards Most Fanciable Female and Best Dressed Star.

In early 2005, Rachel started working on her second album. She worked with such producers and writers as Richard X, Cathy Dennis, Alexis Strum and Xenomania. In March, "Negotiate with Love" was released and reached number 10 in the single chart. This was followed in July by "So Good" which also charted number 10. In October came "I Said never Again (But here We Are)" which featured in the soundtrack to Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. The single however peaked at a disappointing number 12 and was followed by her second album Come And Get It. Although the album received some good reviews prior to release, with some critics calling it the best pop album of 2005,it only achieved number 28 in the UK albums chart.

On 11 November 2005, msn.co.uk's online news service reported that Stevens had auditioned for a role in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. This has not been verified by any official source.

By Late 2005, reports have claimed that Rachel Stevens will release her third album by 2006. She has in fact been approved to start working on her brand new album.

Love Life

On Valentines Day 2001, Stevens became engaged to actor Jeremy Edwards. They split up in early 2004 after 3 years together. Six months later Stevens started dating Gavin Dein, son of Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein. They split up in late August 2005. She is currently single, but, as of late November, seemingly may have her eye on Arsenal mid-fielder and Calvin Klein underwear model Freddie Ljungberg, whom she is hoping will star in her new video as her boyfriend, but says she would like that in real life, too. Stevens said to Neil Sean's Sky Showbiz Gossip, "It's all top secret but my dream is to have the lovely Freddie in the video for the song as my boyfriend. I'd like that in real life too, but I'll start with the video."

Discography

Albums

• Funky Dory (29 September 2003) #9 UK
• Funky Dory (Re-release) (26 July 2004) #13 UK
• Come And Get It (17 October 2005) #28 UK

Singles

• From Funky Dory
  • "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex" (15 September 2003) #2 UK
  • "Funky Dory" (8 December 2003) #26 UK
  • "Some Girls" (12 July 2004) #2 UK
  • "More More More" (4 October 2004) #3 UK

• From Come And Get It
  • "Negotiate With Love" (28 March 2005) #10 UK
  • "So Good" (4 July 2005) #10 UK
  • "I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)" (3 October 2005) #12 UK
  • "Nothing Good About This Goodbye" (6 February 2006 - tentative)

Awards

• Favourite Female UK singer - National Music Awards (2003)
• Best Dressed Star - Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (2003)
• Best Female - Disney Channel Kids' Choice Awards (2004)
• Best Dressed Star - Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (2004)
• Most Fanciable Female - Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (2004)
• Sexiest Female Celebrity - Celebrity Awards (2004)
• Recording artist of the Year - 52nd Annual Showbusiness Awards (2004)
• Woman of the Year - Glamour Awards (2005)
• Most Fanciable Female - Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (2005)

External links

• Official website
• All Music guide entry for Rachel Stevens
• Rachel Stevens at the Internet Movie Database
• Generation Rachel
• Rachel Steven's Charts Pagenl:Rachel Stevens

sv:Rachel Stevens