Cheryl Cole has every reason to smile as she poses in mermaid gown before £250,000 gig ~ Beauty Care

Cheryl Cole has every reason to smile as she poses in mermaid gown before £250,000 gig

Cheryl Cole had every reason to smile as she posed ahead of her lucrative 30-minute gig at the Cannes Festival last night.

The star was being paid £250,000 for the spot at a dinner hosted by luxury jewellery firm de Grisogono.

And in her mermaid-like floor length, black tulle, strapless Roberto Cavalli dress glowing Cheryl gave them their money's worth.

Looking fabulous: Cheryl Cole and de Grisogono president and founder Fawaz Gruosi at the Hotel Du Cap in Cap D'Antibes, France before her £250,000 gig

British singer Cheryl Cole arrives at the De Grisogono party as part of the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, held at the Hotel du Cap,

Diamond girl: Cheryl wore a bracelet and earrings by de Grisogono worth hundreds of thousands of pounds

The 26-year-old wore a boule diamond bracelet and earrings by de Grisogono understood to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Cheryl posed for pictures at the exclusive Hotel du Cap before entertaining guests which included leading figures in fashion including Naomi Campbell and Margerita Missoni.

The star arrived on stage and welcomed the crowd shouting: 'Hello Cannes, thanks for making me feel so welcome.'

Helping hand: Jeweller Fawaz Gruosi helps Cheryl adjust her gown

Helping hand: Jeweller Fawaz Gruosi helps Cheryl adjust her stunning Roberto Cavalli gown

Cheryl sang her hits Fight for this Love and 3 Words, as well as Parachutes and new track Stand Up.

Afterwards, the singer joined rapper Will.I.am at the DJ booth for much of his two hour set. The couple danced, cuddled and posed together for photos.

The pair are flying to Antwerp for a gig tonight before performing in Paris on Thursday.

will.i.am and Cheryl Cole attend the de Grisogono Party at the Hotel Du Cap

More than friends? Cheryl changed into a red Julien McDonald minidress to join Will.I.am in the DJ booth for much of his two hour set. The couple danced, cuddled and posed together for photos

She will be back in Cannes on Friday and is set to appear on the red carpet before joining Will.I.am and his group the Black Eyed Peas on a private yacht party.

There has been speculation about the pair’s growing friendship, fuelled by his comments that she was the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’.

Candy coloured girl: Cheryl stepped out of the Martinez Hotel in Cannes wearing an Alice + Olivia playsuit ahead of her performance at the De Grisigonos private dinner party

BRITISH SINGER CHERYL COLE PICTURED ENJOYING SOME LUNCH WITH FRIENDS AT WORLD FAMOUS EDEN ROC HOTEL IN CAP DE ANTIBES

Lady who lunches: Cheryl dined with de Grisogono founder Fawaz Gruosi and guest at the famous Eden Roc Hotel in Cap D'Antibes

He said in a recent interview: ‘Once you have her – man cannot do any better.’

They first formed a strong friendship after first collaborating on 2008 single Heartbreaker, just a few months after the first allegations that estranged husband Ashley Cole had cheated on her.

She worked with the U.S. star on three tracks for her debut solo album 3 Words, which was a number one hit.

Cheryl Cole performs at the de Grisogono Party at the Hotel Du Cap on May 18, 2010 in Cap D'Antibes, France.

That's entertainment: Cole performed in the outfits she has worn on the recent Black Eyed Peas tour

Cheryl Cole performs at the de Grisogono Party at the Hotel Du Cap

Such is her premium that organisers at the festival are keen for her to attend a premiere if she can fit it into her schedule.

L'Oreal is a sponsor of the festival and many of the beauty firms' models are attending, including Eva Longoria, Aishwarya Rai and Lost star Evangeline Lilly.

The move to join them propels Cheryl to A-list status.

Around 100 people watched her perform at the de Grisogono dinner.

BRITISH SINGER CHERYL COLE AT HOTEL DE CAP DOING A SOUNDCHECK FOR HER PERFORMANCE AT DE GRISOGONOS PRIVATE DINNER PARTY

Perfectionist: Cheryl seen rehearsing ahead of the show with one of her dancers, she sang hit song Fight For This Love, Parachute, and new track Stand Up

She has a close relationship with the upmarket firm and has regularly worn pieces by them on The X Factor, during her shows and for photoshoots.

It is understood she has also been given jewellery as a gift for performing by de Grisogono.

It is the latest money spinning deal the star has secured, joining the £1.2million she pocketed for the last series of the talent show, a figure expected to rise this year.

She has also signed deals worth £500,000 each with L’Oreal and Coca-Cola Zero, and seen her debut solo album, 3 Words, go to number one – all of which has helped take her fortune rocket by 150 per cent over the last year from £4million to £10million.

Will I am, Cheryl Cole and Fawaz Gruosi attend the de Grisogono Party at the Hotel Du Cap

Crush on you: Will.I.am and Cheryl were reunited at the event, the Black Eyed Peas star rushed back from his gig at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo to DJ at the party - fuelling rumours of their growing friendship

Entertained: Cheryl's audience included leading figures in fashion, like supermodel Naomi Campbell

The Mail reported last month that she was making plans to end her three-and-a-half-year marriage to footballer Ashley.

She announced she was separating from the Chelsea player in February, after a fresh wave of allegations about his infidelity with at least five women claiming to have been involved with him.

Sources say the Girls Aloud singer, 26, is likely to keep the couple's nine-bedroom home just outside Godalming, Surrey, which they bought for £3.5million in 2008.

After alterations, the property is now said to be worth £6million.