De Cadenet is the daughter of Anna and racing car driver Alain de Cadenet. She began her career as a co-presenter for The Word, a late-night Channel 4 magazine show in 1990-1995. She also co-hosted the British television show The Big Breakfast. Her first marriage was in 1991 to Duran Duran bassist John Taylor with whom she has a daughter, Atlanta. The following year, de Cadenet moved from the U.K. to Los Angeles. The marriage lasted until 1997.