Models Direct has just heard that former X-Factor contestant Cher Lloyd is to become a model. The 18-year-old pop star landed a contract on the basis of her ‘strong individuality’ and reportedly has model bookings lined up in both the U.S and Europe.

Lloyd has been in the headlines for a number of reasons lately – one being her public apology to Cheryl Cole whose talents she had previously questioned when she accused her of miming and relying on auto-tuning in order to help her voice to sound credible. In a recent retraction of these comments she stated: “I do owe her. The X Factor was a great platform for me and she really did help me and I’m very grateful. I think I really did put my foot in it and now I’ve realised that what I said was wrong, obviously, and I said sorry.” As an afterthought she added: “I think it got fully taken out of context, but I think I understand now that you need to be on form and be aware of what you’re saying all the time. I’m always doing it. I think I get too comfortable with just being myself. I forget that people are watching me.”

Last week on This Morning the singer and model told presenters: “You know, I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t grateful for what she had given me – the opportunity that she had given me, putting me through and things like that – but I feel like from here, it’s down to me to do as best as I possibly can.”

Lloyd’s new-found humbleness follows an appearance on BBC’s Panorama: Hunting the Internet Bullies earlier in the month, where she spoke publicly about cyber-bullying. Makers of the programme featured an interview with Lloyd, where she shared her own experience at the hands of internet bullies. The programme highlighted a currently growing problem – that of a sickening new breed of cyber-bullies known as ‘internet trolls’. Internet trolls are people who post inflammatory and often very hurtful messages online with the intention of provoking an emotional response. Lloyd has admitted crying herself to sleep after being targeted by them and she has called on the government to crack down on cyber-bullying. It’s issues like these that have gained Lloyd a developing popularity. A statement from her new modelling agents read: “Like everyone, she is a melting pot of different emotions, from super confidence oozing fun to a vulnerability.”

Models Direct hopes that Cher Lloyd finds success as a model and that her efforts to raise awareness around cyber-bullying will help others. For tips on how to stay safe online please visit the Directgov ‘Staying safe online’ page.