Simon advises Cheryl: “Focus on your family”
Simon Cowell has told Cheryl to prioritise expanding her family with boyfriend Liam Payne over her career
She’s suffered a turbulent relationship with Simon Cowell in the past and they reportedly fell out last year when her toyboy boyfriend Liam Payne angered him by signing to a rival record label.
But, as Closer previously reported, Cheryl and Simon got their relationship back on track after she invited him to her home for dinner. She also recently joined him in France to film Judges’ Houses for The X Factor.
And pals reveal Simon, 58, told Cheryl – who welcomed son Bear with Liam, 23, in March – to put having another baby before relaunching her career.
A source reveals, “Simon’s told Cheryl to concentrate on building her family with Liam and not be worried about taking a break from her career. He doesn’t think she realises how much motherhood has changed her or how amazing she is at it and thinks she shouldn’t waste any time. It came as a shock as Simon was always so workfocused, but becoming a dad has given him a new perspective.”
Cheryl, 33, was a virtual recluse after Bear’s birth, but returned to the spotlight in August for a L’oréal shoot. Weeks later, she was spotted at the US Embassy – amid reports she was set to work on a new album in LA.
But her comeback was blighted by a backlash from fans, who attacked her for “bodyshaming” new mums with her trim post-baby figure and accused her of having surgery.
The source reveals, “Simon has seen how torn Cheryl has been as she focuses on motherhood while also trying to rebuild her career. He also knows how upset she’s been by all the negativity and has told her not to worry about it. And he’s reassured her that she doesn’t need to push herself too hard.”
Cheryl and Simon – who has a three-year-old son, Eric, with girlfriend Lauren Silverman – famously fell out in 2011 when she was fired from the panel of the US X Factor. But they made amends when she returned to the UK version in 2014 and Simon was reportedly a shoulder to cry on in the wake of her split from second husband JB in 2015.
The source says, “Cheryl really respects Simon and he’s come through for her in recent months with advice and guidance. He’s reassured her that if she wants to return to The X Factor, she can have a spot on the panel next year.
“But he’s told her that, until then, she should focus on family and what really makes her happy.”