Appleton (music duo) became students at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in North London, which was to tutor their fellow All Saints colleague and Nic's schoolmate, Melanie Blatt as well as Denise van Outen, Emma Bunton, Letitia Dean and Samantha Janus. The sisters were back in the UK in 1994, and, together with Shaznay Lewis, joined with former schoolmate Melanie Blatt to form All Saints. In 2000, both sisters appeared in the poorly received film "Honest", directed by ex-Eurythmics member Dave Stewart. In 2001, All Saints disbanded. Natalie and Nicole formed the band Appleton, and in September 2002, issued their first Appleton single
Nicole Appleton "Black Coffee", which became their fifth and final number-one single in the UK, selling 200,000 copies. Also in 2000, Nicole and her sister both appeared in the film "Honest". This preceded their second studio album, "Saints & Sinners", which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, eventually reaching double platinum certification in the UK for sales of 600,000 copies. The second and final single was "All Hooked Up" in January 2001, which peaked at number seven. In February 2001, All Saints announced that they were to take a break so that they "could clear the air between themselves".