Cheryl has gone from being the nation’s sweetheart and one of the country’s biggest music stars to reportedly struggling to keep her career alive amid a disappointing music comeback.
Insiders say Cheryl was left devastated last week after it was reported that Madame Tussauds had removed her waxwork because she was 'no longer relevant' – believing it’s the ultimate sign her career is taking a downward turn.
Sources claimed the singer’s waxwork – which had a number of adjustments over the years due to her changing looks since it first appeared at the iconic London museum in 2010 – is 'being stored in the archives' amid reports she no longer fits the bill as a 'recognisable celebrity'.
Trolls were quick to jump on the bandwagon and use the news as another excuse to berate the mum-of-one, who shares two-year-old son Bear with her ex, Liam Payne, 26.
One said, 'They’re right. She’s no longer relevant. Her music is dreadful and the shows she’s been on really have done nothing to enhance her profile.'
To add insult to injury, pals say the Geordie-born star was left feeling even more humiliated when a petition launched by a fan to bring back her waxwork was signed by just 29 people.
A source told Closer, 'Cheryl was hugely embarrassed by her waxwork being removed and it stung after what she feels has been months of backlash.
'Her anxiety has been at an all-time high in recent months, and this is yet another knock to her confidence – she’s even admitted she’s not sure she wants to carry on in an industry so fickle as to chuck you out when you’re no longer Queen Bee.'
Following the singer’s unsuccessful return to music last year, she’s had to deal with criticism over her judging role on The Greatest Dancer, with some viewers slamming her for being 'unqualified'.
She’s also been continually targeted by trolls over her weight after revealing the details of her extreme diet and workout regime.
The relentless backlash is in stark contrast to her previous star power, which saw her achieve global success at the height of her fame with Girls Aloud in the early 2000s.
Her profile then soared after she landed a judging role on The X Factor in 2008, which was followed by the launch of a successful solo career and four successive hit albums.
But Cheryl’s hotly anticipated music comeback resulted in her first two singles being chart flops.
She then parted ways with L’Oréal Paris as a spokesmodel after nine years, amid reports the bosses wanted to hire 'classier celebrities', going on to become the face for Easilocks hair – also promoted by TOWIE’s Megan McKenna and Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby.
Now Cheryl fears the increasingly vicious backlash she received after shunning the spotlight during her pregnancy and following Bear’s birth in March 2017 has made her unpopular. Even TV presenter Lorraine Kelly admitted she found the baby secrecy strange, adding, 'It’s not something you can hide.'
Pals say the singer has recently been reaching out to her Hollywood pal Khloé Kardashian, 35, for advice, and is even considering a U-turn on her decision to keep her private life under wraps.
A source reveals, 'Pals have often told Cheryl her intense privacy around Bear put a lot of fans off, as she appeared less relatable to them.'
Meanwhile, Khloé has seen huge success from her family’s reality show and loves putting photos of her young daughter, True, on social media. She thinks Cheryl opening up more about her life as a mum could be a great way to prove to fans that she’s still the old Cheryl.
The source says, 'Khloé’s put her in touch with some publicists in LA and has told Cheryl to start seriously thinking about doing a reality show and upping her game in every way possible to succeed.'
Cheryl, who’s been notoriously private about Bear, shared a series of photos of him late last year – although kept his face covered.
And, as if in a deliberate bid to change her ways, she’s recently been more open about her desire for another baby, even insisting she doesn’t need a man to extend her family.
The source adds, 'While a reality show has always been the last thing Cheryl wanted to do, she’s started to consider doing something with Bear – even if it’s a one-off documentary.
'She’s opening herself up to more things she previously swore off because she knows if she doesn’t, she could be lucky to survive another year in the industry. She just wants fans to see the real her.'
And insiders say Cheryl – who’s confirmed she’ll be returning to The Greatest Dancer later this year for a second series – has also been turning to ex Liam.
The source says, 'Liam’s been telling her not to let the negativity get to her. She’s been leaning on him for advice and admits she feels like she needs his support more than ever.'