Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has finally broken her silence after the so-called ‘white substance’ photo at a fashion party that had her lawyers scrambling to action earlier this week, and has slammed people who are driven by “ego, money and status” in doing so.

Since the photo was published and then quickly taken down by a fashion journalist at the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on Monday (November 23rd), who snapped the ‘X Factor’ judge in a bathroom mirror with what appeared to be three lines of a white substance (if you looked very hard) off to the side.

Cheryl Fernandez-VersiniCheryl Fernandez-Versini

Cheryl was washing her hands in the photo and not looking at whatever it was, however, and many have simply concluded that it was a trick of the light reflecting off the mirror. The journalist had hinted at something more illicit, captioning the initial photo: “Sadness in her eyes”.

The 32 year old has since posted a cryptic message via Instagram, which reads: “Hold on to every genuine person you find. This generation has people driven by ego, money and status.”

More: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini taking legal action over ‘white substance’ photo

“As a result good souls are ruined daily. Keep your head up and be conscious of the energy you give out and connect with,” she wrote in a screengrabbed picture of some pre-written text. Captioning the Instagram photo, she added “So true... #positivevibes only. Squeezing my [soldiers] tight!! Love you.”

Cheryl has been consistently opposed to drugs throughout her career, writing in her 2008 autobiography that she had been put off any temptation to use such substances after the untimely death her close friend, footballer John Courtney, at the age of 21.

“It put me off drugs for life. That nightmare devastated all John’s family and friends,” she wrote, also lambasting media stars like Pete Doherty for glamourising the drug.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for the star told The Sun: “She absolutely despises drugs and any connection linking her to them is ridiculous. She was just using the toilet.”

More: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini calls for body shaming to be made illegal