MICHELLE Keegan is basking in joy since the birth of her beautiful baby girl – but cruel whispers could trouble her happiness.
It is claimed that “jealous” locals are reportedly unimpressed with her seemingly effortless postpartum journey, which she’s been documenting online in the weeks since her and hubby Mark Wright’s daughter, Palma, was born.
Michelle, who recently bagged herself a six-figure sum to become the new face of Sky, has been excitedly sharing snaps of her living it up at the Cannes film festival, on holiday in Spain and showing off her incredible post-baby figure in tiny swimsuits from her own fashion range.
But a source claims that fellow Essex mums are turning on the star because they believe Michelle, 38, is “rubbing people up the wrong way” by not showing the ‘reality’ of life with a newborn.
“Local mums seem to be pretty jealous that Michelle has bounced back from having a baby so quickly and so effortlessly,” a source told Fabulous.
‘Pretty jealous’
“It has rubbed them up the wrong way that she’s showing off her incredible postpartum figure on lavish holidays just weeks after giving birth.
“A lot of them – like most new mums – are struggling to form a sentence, they’re so tired, so to watch as Michelle goes and secures a six-figure deal with a huge company, with barely a hair out of place, well they can’t get their heads around it.
“These are women who pride themselves on looking good and presenting themselves in the most glam way possible, and they can’t believe Michelle is walking the walk while they struggle with sleepless nights and screaming babies.”
Sources claim that Michelle’s seemingly ‘easy’ postpartum journey has been the talk of mum and baby groups in the Ongar and Epping Forest area of Essex, where she and Mark, 38, have lived since 2019.
While some women are in awe of Michelle and celebrate the fact that she appears to be smashing motherhood, others are scratching their heads as to why the former Corrie actress isn’t showing the downsides of postpartum life.
The source claimed: “Everybody’s journey is different, so it’s weird why some people are so fixated on Michelle and how well she’s doing.”
“Some mums are complaining that she should use her platform as a celeb to show how difficult these first few months can be, to make other new mums feel better, but instead she’s showing off her holidays and going to award shows in expensive outfits.
“They say she’s not being real, which is strange, as a lot of these women don’t actually know Michelle or her experience. It’s up to her what she does and doesn’t share on social media.”
Indeed, Michelle has always been very careful not to share anything negative with her 7.5 million Instagram followers, preferring to focus on successful professional achievements and fun family adventures.
Recent posts, shared since Palma’s birth on March 6th, have included shots of her showing off her figure in her Orfila Bee swimwear range, walking the red carpet at Cannes as an ambassador for L’Oreal, images of her modelling her Very clothing collection, stills from her hit Sky show Brassic and snaps of her in a bikini on holiday in Spain with her daughter.
‘Winding them up’
But envious local mums believe Michelle is out of touch, an insider claims.
“The complaint is mainly that she’s showing off a life which is so unattainable to most people, especially struggling new mums, that it’s winding them up,” the source continued.
“Where’s the tired eyes, the wobbly belly? I think the bitterness comes from the fact that a lot of them expected her to be a regular at the baby groups in town, but she’s actually very busy and selective right now.
“Perhaps that annoys people who thought they might get to befriend her.”
According to our insider, Michelle is well-liked around Ongar but is relatively private due to her busy schedule.
Many mums thought that having Palma would automatically make Michelle a stay-at-home mum who would fully integrate herself into the community.
The source added: “Everyone in Essex would love to be friends with Mark and Michelle.
The complaint is mainly that she’s showing off a life which is so unattainable to most people, especially struggling new mums, that it’s winding them up
Source
“But the reality is, she’s flying in her career right now and doesn’t appear to be slowing down, so I doubt she’ll be filling her days at the local playgroup.
“I think a lot of women are disappointed they won’t actually be spending much time with her.”
Michelle’s mum, Jackie, has reportedly been staying with her and Mark to help with Palma, which is no doubt another reason why Michelle has been able to juggle motherhood, work and getting back into shape.
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans, many who have been quick to heap praise on Michelle.
“How does anyone look that amazing after just having a baby?” asked one gobsmacked follower in response to Michelle showing off her range with Very.co.uk, which included plunging bodycon dresses.
Another joked, “You look absolutely stunning…I am still trying to get my post-baby figure back, and my baby is 17 this year!”
Mark and Michelle have been careful to keep Palma out of the limelight, opting to secure her face in any public social media posts.
However, they have shown the back of the little one in various pics with her family, including Mark’s sister Jessica and mum Carol.
The clan have been sunning themselves in Spain while Michelle celebrates the incredible Sky deal, which will see her share a screen with actor Idris Elba in new promo ads, to be broadcast across the world.
A source previously told The Sun: “Landing this ad is huge for Michelle, as she’s fast becoming a brand in her own right. Everything she touches seems to turn to gold.”
Mark Wright's career timeline
Since rising to fame over a decade ago as a reality TV star, popular personality Mark Wright has gone on to enjoy a successful career.
- The Only Way is Essex (2010-2011, regular): Mark was an original Towie cast member from its October 2010 launch and spanning series 1-3. He left the programme in 2011 but has returned for a handful of cameos.
- I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (2011): After leaving Towie, Mark signed up for the famed ITV jungle. He finished in second place behind McFly star Dougie Poynter.
- Heart (2012-2017; 2019 – present): Mark first joined radio station Heart in 2012, leaving five years later to pursue work in the United States. He made a return to the station in July 2019.
- Strictly Come Dancing (2014): The star took to the Strictly ballroom in 2014, finishing fourth behind Caroline Flack, Simon Webbe and Frankie Bridge.
- The Dengineers (2015-2017): Mark was a co-presenter of the children’s programme for its first two series. After his departure, later hosts have included Joe Swash and Meryl Fernandes.
- Extra (2017-2020): Mark was an entertainment reporter for this US outlet for three years.
- The Bachelor UK (2019): A revived UK iteration of the popular American dating show. Mark’s version of the programme aired on Channel 5.
- The Challenge UK (2023): Another UK rendition of an American format, this aired on Channel 5 in February 2023.
- Clean It, Fix It (2024 – present): Mark has joined the popular BBC daytime show from its fourth series onwards.
