Nadine Coyle has opened up about the grueling demands placed on Girls Aloud during their heyday, questioning how some practices were ever considered legal. In a candid interview, the singer also paid tribute to her late bandmate Sarah Harding, vowing to continue raising awareness about breast cancer.
Remembering Sarah Harding
'She should still be here,' Nadine told us, reflecting on the loss of her close friend. Sarah passed away in September 2021 at age 39 after being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in August 2020. As the five-year anniversary approaches, Nadine has partnered with tombola and Breast Cancer Now to encourage women to check their breasts regularly.
'There are so many people I know personally who thought they were too young for it to affect them that have discovered something, got treated early, and are now fine,' explained Nadine, 40. 'That's all because of Sarah's unfortunate situation. She's helped so many people already.'
Life After Loss
Following Sarah's death, Nadine and her Girls Aloud bandmates—Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts—embarked on a 30-date tour across the UK and Ireland as a four-piece, keeping Sarah's memory alive. 'There's an adjustment period after loss before you start trying to live life to the fullest for them,' Nadine shared. 'Even when she was really ill, she didn't want anyone being sad. She would be so pleased with what she's left behind.'
Industry Pressures
Despite their success, Girls Aloud faced intense scrutiny, misogyny, and exhausting schedules in the early 2000s. The band members often partied late into the night before heading straight to work, sometimes getting into bed just moments before hair and makeup calls. Those infamous nights out earned Sarah the nickname 'Hardcore Harding.'
'The industry hasn't improved as much as it should have,' Nadine admitted. 'I think back to things and think, “Oh my god, how was that even legal?” It's probably not! But it's just the way it was. At least now there's more conversation around inappropriate behavior, but we still have a real fight on our hands.'
Touring Without Sarah
The 2024 tour without Sarah was emotionally draining for the group, with tributes woven into the shows. 'I felt her absence every single night,' Nadine recalled. 'It was really emotionally draining because you're going through it with an audience who loves her. They didn't get a proper chance to say goodbye. There would be moments where you'd expect to see her on stage, and she's not there. But it was good for fans to have that moment with us—a shared experience of the sadness.'
Sarah's Legacy
Despite the grief, Sarah's impact on her friends, family, fans, and women everywhere has been undeniable. 'I've even started reading more because of her,' Nadine laughed. 'She was so intelligent and classy. I want to be more studious like our Sarah.'
tombola has partnered with Breast Cancer Now to take over Olivia Attwood's podcast to emphasize the importance of friends checking in with each other. With 45% of women still not checking their breasts regularly, a simple nudge from a friend can make a real difference.
