Last month another picture was circulating on Instagram, taken by Cheryl herself after she'd spent the day playing with her nieces and nephews.
The children dared her to post the picture online and she did, drawing the inevitable responses from less charitable corners of the internet. All of which Cheryl takes in her stride.
"I'd been playing with the kids all day, my hair was standing on end and it was just funny. I guess it's a maturity thing - you just don't care as much. But I got one message that said, 'Is that a couple of wrinkles you have there?'
"Whereas if I'd had no wrinkles, they'd have been like, 'Oh she's had Botox.' You can't win."
Having every aspect of your look and lifestyle scrutinised by media and fans comes with the territory for a pop star these days, as Cheryl has learned.
And whether you're at a red-carpet event, strolling along a beach, or just stepping out to pick up a pint of milk, the cameras are never far away. then there are those millions of twitter followers, eager for any snippet. How does she deal with that?
"Hopefully people can see I make mistakes, i make bad choices and also I sometimes look terrible, just like anyone. that's part of being a human being. Yes, I sing and dance, and I'm a pop star, and i've got this amazing job, but at the same time I'm just a girl. well, a woman."
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