Born February 21, 1986, Charlotte, the daughter of James, a security firm supervisor, and Maria, a classical guitarist and housing officer, grew up in a working-class suburb of Cardiff, Wales. Before she was ten years old, her parents recognised she had the makings of a professional.

"We first realised just how good Charlotte was when she entered a karaoke contest (in 1995)," explained James just before his daughter recorded her first CD. "She ended up beating some professional singers and we thought, 'Here's something special'."

In 1999, just a few years after an appearance on Jonathan Ross's Big Big Talent Show led to her discovery by manager Jonathan Shalit, the young vocalist had found international success. Known around the world as "The Voice Of An Angel", Charlotte broke Stevie Wonder's record as the youngest solo artist ever to enter the US Top 30. But the talented teen says her career wasn't about seeing her name in the charts. "I never wanted to be famous," she says. "I just wanted to sing."

Three years on, with superstar Charlotte worth £15 million, rumour had it that the increasingly headstrong star had sacked her mum who had stepped into the role of manager. The news came on the heels of a number of reports of teen rebellion, including a newly-developed smoking habit and controversial 18-year-old boyfriend, DJ Steven Johnson. Within days, she assured that Maria remained one of her "most trusted advisors". "But," added the teenager, "obviously on a different level due to my growing independence."

After splitting with the lad she referred to as her "bit of rough" in late 2003, the singer went on to date Kyle Johnson. This relationship foundering acrimoniously, however, in a kiss and tell ending. Her latest beau is handsome Welsh rugby star Gavin Henson.

Expanding her horizons, Charlotte made her film debut in 2003's I'll Be There, the tale of a teenager aspiring to follow in the footsteps of her former pop star father. Referring to her acting efforts Charlotte says: "It's important to meet challenges head-on. If there's something you really want to accomplish, but you're scared to try, that probably means you should give it a go. You only live once.