Jade Thirlwall has spoken about Jesy Nelson’s 2020 departure from Little Mix, revealing that her “biggest wish” is that it had been handled differently. In a new interview with The New York Times, the 31-year-old singer looked back on one of the group’s most difficult moments, describing it as both sudden and emotionally complex.
“I just would’ve loved us to all sit and chat about it,” Jade said. “We absolutely adored Jesy like family – it wasn’t just work. We all wanted to protect her, because we understood that trauma there and what she’d been through. I think we handled it as best as we could. All of a sudden we were a member short in the middle of album promo, with everyone asking what was going on.”
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Jesy Nelson announced her exit in December 2020, citing mental health struggles brought on by the pressures of fame and online criticism. For Jade, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Perrie Edwards, the departure was not only a professional setback but also a deeply personal change in the group’s dynamic.
“Obviously we don’t speak any more, and things happened that I don’t think should have,” Jade admitted. “But I still do feel an element of protection towards Jesy. Nobody fully understands how complex the whole thing was – it wasn’t just a case of someone wanting to leave. Numerous things built up in the last year and in the back of my mind I knew it was going to happen. I’d just like for it to have happened in a better way.”
Jade’s reflections come at a pivotal moment in her own career. The singer is preparing to release her debut solo album, That’s Showbiz Baby!, on September 12 via RCA Records. Featuring contributions from Mike Sabath, RAYE, Cirkut, Lostboy, and Oscar Görres, the 12-track project is set to establish Jade as a solo force in pop. Its lead single, “Angel of My Dreams”, peaked at No. 7 on the UK charts earlier this year, marking her first top 10 hit outside of Little Mix.
Before the album drops, Jade will support Chappell Roan at two shows in Edinburgh later this month as part of the Edinburgh Summer Sessions. She’ll then embark on her own That’s Showbiz Baby! – The Tour this October, playing major venues across the UK and Ireland.
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