More than two decades after the hit that made them famous across Europe, the twins from Cheeky Girls, Monica and Gabriela Irimia, prove that success can be reinvented: they have managed to stay relevant in a profoundly changed industry, combining music and live performances with a surprising career in a completely different field.
Settled in Great Britain, Monica and Gabriela Irimia, now 43 years old, say they live “the best version of their lives”, both professionally and personally, notes The Sun publication.
Currently, the two work in the automotive field, being employed in Audi showrooms in Great Britain. Gabriela works in York City and Monica in Boston, Lincolnshire, both in sales positions. They say that the passion for cars is not a recent one and that they fully find themselves in this job. “By day we’re in suits and working Audi cars, and by night we’re on stage in sexy outfits like the Cheeky Girls. We’ve got the best of both worlds.” stated Gabriela Irimia.
In parallel, concerts and live performances remain an important source of income. Re-release of the song “Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)” on TikTok and other social media platforms has led to a significant increase in demand for shows. The twins perform both at big festivals and at private events, student clubs or even in nursing homes.
About their enviable physical appearance, Gabriela said with a laugh: “People always ask us what our secret is to looking good. We have some strict rules: we don’t eat after 7 p.m., we exercise every day and we have a lot of sex.”
Although they still attract attention for their physical appearance, Monica and Gabriela also talk openly about their past challenges. After the huge success of the 2000s, when “Cheeky Song” sold over 1.2 million copies and reached number two in the UK charts, the collapse of the Telstar record label left them with huge debts. In 2009, the twins were declared bankrupt and faced serious health problems, including eating disorders.
Today, they say they have overcome that period and speak openly about their experiences to encourage others in similar situations. Although they received offers for various reality shows, such as Love Island, or controversial online platforms, such as Only Fans, they turned them down, preferring to focus on music and other projects.
