It’s only been three months since Michelle Keegan welcomed daughter Palma, but it seems the actress is already feeling torn between being a new parent and going back to work – and dealing with the guilt that comes with that. A source tells heat, ‘Michelle can’t help but feel a degree of mum guilt. Emotions have been running high for her because, although she’s got everything she could ever want for her personal life – a new child, a beautiful marriage and a wonderful home – she still has a lot of ambitions for her career. On one hand, she’s on cloud nine and couldn’t be happier that she’s a mother now, and with the man of her dreams. But on the other, she has waves of worry and insecurity just like any new mother.’
Former Corrie star Michelle, 38 – who’s been married to former reality star Mark Wright, 38, for a decade – has already dived back into work since Palma’s birth in March. She returned to the set of the hit TV series Brassic – where she has played Erin Cross for the past seven years – to wrap up on filming the show’s final series. She has also dazzled fans on her social media with shoots in Spain for her fashion line with Very, as well as jetting to Cannes Film Festival with L’Oréal.
And while it may appear to fans that she’s enjoying the best of both worlds, we’re told she’s scared she’ll regret taking on another big acting role. We’re told, ‘She knows Mark’s family are quite traditional and had expected both her and Mark to be spending more time with Palma at their home in Essex. Michelle doesn’t just want that, though. She wants to take more acting jobs, star in films, travel the world and seize the moment for her career, though she doesn’t want to regret not taking more time off.’
Michelle has reportedly signed a six-figure deal to be the new face of Sky alongside Idris Elba, which our source tells us is ‘huge’ for the actress, adding, ‘She’s fast becoming a brand in her own right. Everything she touches seems to turn to gold.’ It’s clear Michelle wants to ride this wave of success and now has her eyes set on Hollywood. Following the success of her much-praised role as Maya Stern on Netflix’s Fool Me Once, it seems Michelle caught the attention of Hollywood big wigs. Harlan Coben - the show’s writer and producer – revealed, ‘Executives in Hollywood are always asking me, “How do I get in touch with Michelle?”’
Now, the actress is trying to figure out a way she can be both a Hollywood star and a doting mum. Our insider explains, ‘She’s been having hard conversations with Mark about what life is going to be like as new parents while she plans to keep working on her career. She wants to achieve so much in the next two years before she’s 40 – including being involved in a project that gets considered in the award season race. An Oscar nomination is something she’s been manifesting for years.’
While Michelle may be stuck between the universally relatable feelings of mum guilt and the drive for her career, Mark is supporting her in whatever she wants to do. ‘She’s not abandoning her family in any way and is determined to make it work logistically,’ our insider shares. ‘But she feels guilty from time to time and wonders if she’ll be harshly judged, or worse, if she’ll regret time missed with her family. Mark has begged her not to beat herself up or feel anxious about anything, saying he’s there to look after Palma when she’s working. He’s told her she’s already proving herself to be the best mum there is. It’s all new to Michelle and she doesn’t feel like she’s following a traditional path. She knows she’s in a very fortunate position with both her work and Mark, but she’s struggling to shake the feeling of guilt that comes along with that.’