Troubled Cheryl turns to the Kardashians
With reports persisting about the state of Cheryl’s relationship with Liam Payne, her pals say that Khloé, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian have been offering their support
Ever since E dramatic rumours surfaced last month that their relationship was in trouble and could end in a split, all eyes have been on Cheryl and her boyfriend Liam Payne.
And last week was no exception, when reports claimed the ex-one Direction star, 24, has “gone cold” on the relationship, and has been more focused on his career than his family life with Cheryl and their 11-month-old son, Bear.
Then, just days later, the couple raised eyebrows over an awkward encounter on singer Sam Smith’s Instagram account. Sam uploaded an image of him eating an In-n-out burger, on which Cheryl commented, “The best burger there is!”
After Sam agreed with Cheryl, Liam joined in, posting, “I think I would probably give you [Cheryl] away for one of those right now... s***! Did I just type that out loud?”
IRRITATED
However, Cheryl, 34, didn’t respond, while Liam continued to comment, adding, “Good job I pressed the reply button as well @cherylofficial.”
Pals say the former X Factor judge – who has told off Liam in the past for publicly commenting on her – worries the posts are just another sign they’re growing apart.
A source says, “Cheryl was irritated with Liam. She told him he was making things worse by making jokes about her for everyone to see, and fuelling speculation about their relationship.
“Liam told Cheryl it was only
a joke, but Cheryl said it risked highlighting their differences.”
Following Liam’s comments, Cheryl later shared a collection of images from the Prince’s Trust Awards, including one of her with Hollywood heartthrob Tom Hardy, who’s married to actress Charlotte Riley. Reports then claimed she posted the snap to make Liam jealous.
Liam responded to the claims on Twitter, replying to a Tweet about the report, writing, “I am jealous tbh I want to cozy up to Tom Hardy too, what can I say.”
Insiders now say Cheryl is growing increasingly frustrated over her relationship woes and has turned to pals Kourtney, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, who have been comforting her.
Cheryl has enjoyed a longterm friendship with the family since Khloé revealed that she instantly clicked with “phenomenal” Cheryl when they met in the wake of her marriage woes with now ex-husband Lamar Odom. And Khloé’s equally smitten sister Kim has described Cheryl as “gorgeous”.
Khloé, 33 – who stayed in close contact with Lamar, 38, for two years after filing for divorce – has urged Cheryl not to drag things out if the worst happens.
A source says, “Khloé went through a lot of pain being in touch with Lamar after their split. She couldn’t give up on things for a long time. She told Cheryl that if she does decide things are finished with Liam, she shouldn’t keep fighting for it when things are broken. She told her if she was to be a single mum, she’d give all the love Bear could need.”
TAKING ADVICE
Since her split from Scott Disick in 2015, her longterm partner of nine years and father of her three children, Kourtney, 38, has been linked to Justin Bieber, 24, and is currently dating Younes Bendjima, also 24.
The source says, “Kourt knows the pitfalls that come with dating younger men – it can be intense and emotional – so she’s urged Cheryl to keep talking to Liam about their differences so they understand each other. She also told Cheryl not to be afraid of being a single mum and that being on your own with children is often better than being in an unhappy relationship.”
In contrast, though, mum-ofthree Kim, 37 – whose marriages to Damon Thomas and then Kris Humphries collapsed before she married current husband, Kanye West – has been advising Cheryl to marry Liam.
The source says, “Kim’s a true romantic and she told Cheryl that getting married ensures you both have a reason to fight for the relationship. She told her to try for another baby, as her children gave her marriage a whole new meaning.”
HOPING TO RECONNECT
While Cheryl prepares for her big comeback, last month reports claimed she’s moving to New York for a few months to complete her fifth album, and that Liam and Bear will join her.
But pals say she also wants to use the trip as a way to work on her relationship.
The insider says, “She’s hoping they can reconnect while they’re in New York and remember why they fell in love. They’ve lost their way a bit and they’re both desperate to find each other.”