Noughties pop icons make rare public appearance – 22 years after TV show that launched their career

MORE than two decades after finding fame, this pop duo have sent a crowd wild during a rare public appearance.

Gabriela and Monica Irimia – best known as The Cheeky Girls – glammed up and took to the stage in Chester this weekend.

The Cheeky Girls have made a rare appearance on stage

7

The Cheeky Girls have made a rare appearance on stageCredit: Splash
The twins performed together at Chester Pride

7

The twins performed together at Chester PrideCredit: Splash
Gabriela and Monica Irimia wore their trademark skimpy outfits

7

Gabriela and Monica Irimia wore their trademark skimpy outfitsCredit: Splash
Fans went wild for the noughties pop act at Chester Pride

7

Fans went wild for the noughties pop act at Chester PrideCredit: Splash

The Romanian duo slipped into their iconic boob tubes and hot pants before belting out their top 10 hit Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) at the city’s Pride celebrations.

The identical twins opted for silver outfits, which they teamed with sky-high sandals, and they wore their hair in side ponytails.

Gabriela and Monica, 41, also embraced the festivities by painting rainbows onto their cheeks.

The Cheeky Girls’ performance at Chester Pride was well received, with one fan writing on X: “Absolutely loved seeing The Cheeky Girls!”

READ MORE ON NOUGHTIES POP

Another added on TikTok: “Well pride this year was so good, 12 year old me would be very very happy!”

The Cheeky Girls became a household name after they auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

The ITV show created the hugely successful pop band Girls Aloud and its rival boy band One True Voice, although the latter did not go on to achieve great things.

It did, however, open doors for Gabriela and Monica and they released their first hit – Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) – the following year.

The song was based on their self-penned audition piece, which had left judges Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Geri Halliwell in hysterics.

Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) sold 1.2 million copies worldwide and charted at No 2 in the UK. Their debut album, Party Time, reached No 14.

As their fame began to dwindle, Gabriela and Monica stepped back from the spotlight and began working in car sales.

Speaking after landing their new jobs, the girls admitted that they do still get recognised while on the forecourt.

Gaby told The Sun: “I just say, ‘No, I’m a lookalike’ and they are like, ‘Oh God, you really look like her’.”

Monica added: “My only worry in the showroom is making sure customers are happy and my lipstick is in place.”

The Cheeky Girls have, however, found themselves with a new army of Gen Z fans thanks to TikTok.

As a result, they released their brand new single Let’s Have Fun and album PartyTime 20 in 2022.

Gabriela and Monica found fame on Popstars: The Rivals 22 years ago

7

Gabriela and Monica found fame on Popstars: The Rivals 22 years agoCredit: PA:Press Association
The Romanian twins had a No2 single with The Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)

7

The Romanian twins had a No2 single with The Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)Credit: WireImage – Getty
The girls enjoyed a career in showbiz before becoming car sales reps

7

The girls enjoyed a career in showbiz before becoming car sales repsCredit: WireImage – Getty
You May Also Like

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz renew wedding vows as rift with his family deepens

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz renewed their wedding vows in a romantic…

Double Olympic gold medal winner gets engaged – three years after coming out as gay

DOUBLE gold Olympic medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes is engaged – three…

‘And Just Like That…’ Real Estate: Adam’s Apartment Is Real

TV Adam Karma’s apartment in ‘And Just Like That…’ is very much…

Olivia Rodrigo puts on leggy display in tiny silver miniskirt and matching corset for Lollapalooza performance

OLIVIA Rodrigo thrilled Lollapalooza crowds on Friday night when she performed a…