The remarkable career change from global popstar to selling cars in York

A former Cheeky Girl, Gabriela Irimia, has been selling second-hand cars at a York dealership.

The Cheeky Girls, pictured during Southampton Pride.

While many can only dream of a life as a global popstar touring the world on stage, for one retired singer selling cars in York represents the real dream.

We take a look at how a former celebrity singer has been selling second-hand cars at a York dealership in a remarkable career change.

Gabriela Irimia, one half of the pop duo Cheeky Girls who rose to fame on the 2002 series Popstars: The Rivals, turned her back on fame for a completely different career.

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Gabriela, who performed the self-penned hit The Cheeky Song alongside her twin Monica, made headlines in 2021 for her new job in York.

Speaking to The Sun at the time, she expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, saying: "I love selling cars. If I sell a good one it feels like I’ve won the lottery."

She was seen flogging new and used cars at a Hyundai dealership in York at the time, telling the newspaper she wanted to “learn the ropes” before opening her own car showroom.

Gabriela and Monica, both from Romania, became fan favourites during their time on Popstars: The Rivals, despite facing criticism from the likes of Pete Waterman.

Their debut single, Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum), went straight to number two when it was released in December 2002 and went on to sell 1.2 million copies worldwide.

They enjoyed further success with two more top-three singles, Take Your Shoes Of and (Hooray, Hooray) It's a Cheeky Holiday!, as well as their album PartyTime.

However, the twins faced personal struggles as they battled depression and severe eating disorders.

Gabriela told ITV's Lorraine in 2016: "It happened just like that – we didn’t have control over our life at all, over our career, so what do you control the best, what you put in your mouth basically."

Now, Gabriela is embracing her new life away from the music spotlight.