Will.i.am is Cole`s "fairy godfather"

Popstar Cheryl Cole counts singer Will.i.am as her "fairy godfather".

London: Popstar Cheryl Cole counts `Black Eyed Peas` singer Will.i.am as her "fairy godfather" for helping her mastermind her solo career. The `Girls Aloud` singer said that before she was contacted by the rapper, who produced the track `Three Words` on her debut solo album, she never considered embarking on a project away from the group.

Cole said that she was flattered that the `Boom Boom Pow` hitmaker would even consider working with her, a magazine reported. "He`s like a fairy godfather to me. He`s my mentor. I was doing Girls Aloud and I was very happy with that. About a year before we agreed to take a break, I was watching TV with the girls and Will was on it and he was asked, `Are there any British acts you`d like to collaborate with?` and he said, `There`s two, U2 and Cheryl Cole," Cheryl said. "We all burst out laughing because the two just didn`t seem in the same league. From then on he was persistent," she added. "He said, `Let`s make a record`, he told the girls `It doesn`t have to affect you. Cheryl can do it and she can come back.` He`s a genius," Cheryl said. The 26-year-old star, who is presently attempting to break into US market following her split from soccer star husband Ashley Cole, said she has had to make some tough decisions in order to start on her solo career. "There was a moment in time just after Girls Aloud took a break where I thought, `Do I do a solo record, or do I start a family`," Cheryl said. The `Fight For This Love` singer added that she doesn`t read about her personal life, so she can concentrate on her music and career. "I focus on what I`m doing, which is putting out my music. The rest of it, I just let it be what it`s gonna be, but it`s not in my head, so it`s not disturbing my mind or controlling me emotionally," Cheryl added. PTI