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 2002 (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 Cowell 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 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 followed by Rachel's debut album Funky Dory. On December 2003, the title-track from the album was released as the second

e. "Funky Dory" only reached number 26 in the UK.

Against all odds, 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 and gave an excellent performance.

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 good reviews prior to release, poor chart positions for her singles meant that it only acheived number 23 in the UK albums

: 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 good reviews prior to release, poor chart positions for her singles meant that it only acheived number 23 in the UK albums