She used to be in one of the UK’s most popular girl groups, traveling the world and performing for large crowds every night.
Even though Jesy Nelson has found success around the world, she’s faced challenges in her personal life. Now, as a mother to eight-month-old twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, she’s determined to use her experiences to inspire others.
Jesy recently shared heartbreaking news: her daughters have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This genetic condition causes increasing muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass because of problems with the nerves that control muscles.
In a heartfelt video, she shared that her daughters have a condition that could affect their ability to walk and will present challenges throughout their lives. Despite this, she expressed strong hope, saying she believes her daughters will overcome these obstacles with the proper support and achieve incredible things.
Jesy has faced and overcome many difficult challenges and disappointments, and she’s determined to teach her children how to be strong and resilient too.
The singer, now 34, rose to fame when her band, Little Mix, won X Factor in 2011. However, she then faced harsh and hurtful online criticism about her appearance, which negatively affected her mental well-being.
In a 2019 interview on Lorraine, she explained that she had lost her former self. ‘I wasn’t the cheerful, confident person people knew me as,’ she said. ‘I was incredibly fragile and anxious.’
The singer shared that she was sent horrible messages calling her appearance awful and threatening her life.
The singer lost weight and came back to compete on The X Factor in 2013, but continued to receive hurtful criticism. This eventually contributed to a drug overdose.
In her BBC documentary, Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out, she revealed she once felt so overwhelmed that she considered ending her life, saying, ‘I just needed the pain to stop.’
‘I remember going to the kitchen and just took as many tablets as I could.
‘Then I laid in bed for ages and kept thinking, ‘Let it happen. Hurry up”.
She recalled thinking she could be the thinnest person ever, but still wouldn’t feel better, and that’s when she became severely depressed.
In December 2020, Jesy confirmed that she was going to leave Little Mix after nine years.
In a post on Instagram, she shared that she’s prioritizing her own happiness and explained that being part of the group had negatively affected her mental well-being.
‘To all my Mixers, the past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life.
Being in the band has recently been really hard on my mental health. I’m struggling with the constant pressure of being in a girl group and trying to meet everyone’s expectations.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I’ve realized something really important: it’s time to prioritize me. For so long, I’ve poured my energy into making others happy, and while that’s wonderful, I need to shift that focus inward. It’s time to reinvest in my own well-being and make self-care a priority – and honestly, I think now is the perfect time to start.
‘So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix.’
Jesy shared, with emotion, that she needs to focus on spending time with loved ones and doing things she enjoys.
We’ve accomplished so much more than I ever imagined, like winning a Brit Award and selling out shows at the O2.
I’m incredibly grateful to all of you around the world for your friendship and support. You make me feel so lucky!
‘You have always been there to support and encourage me.
I’m starting a new phase of my life, and while I don’t know exactly what the future holds, I’m hoping you’ll continue to be there for me.
I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped us achieve this success. It wouldn’t have been possible without all your hard work and commitment.
To all of my incredible fans: thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to our shows, listening to our music, and sending your amazing support. I love you all, and I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I’m endlessly grateful.
I just want to say a huge thank you to Jade, Perrie, and Leigh-Anne for all the incredible memories we’ve shared – I’ll cherish them forever. I wish you all the best in achieving your dreams and continuing to create music that brings joy to others. With love, Jesy x.
Honestly, after Jesy left the band, I was SO excited for her solo stuff! ‘Boyz’ was amazing, and I couldn’t stop playing ‘Bad Thing’ and ‘Mine’ – she was totally killing it! It just broke my heart when she decided to step back from everything, but I totally get needing to prioritize herself. I still replay her songs constantly, though!
After Little Mix went on break in 2022, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock each began working on their own individual projects.
The three singers have often publicly supported one another, but their relationship with Jesy Nelson became strained after she left the group. She shared in 2023 that they hadn’t communicated since her departure.
Jesy Nelson was involved in a dispute with Leigh-Anne Pinnock, who claimed Jesy had been ‘blackfishing’ – a term for altering one’s appearance to appear Black or mixed-race – in the ‘Boyz’ music video. These accusations came to light through leaked messages with social media personality NoHun.
Nicki Minaj, who worked with Jesy Nelson on the song ‘Boyz’, publicly called her former bandmates ‘jealous clowns’ during a heated Instagram Live session.
Perrie Edwards revealed on Fearne Cotton’s podcast that her friendship with Jesy Nelson ended, and that the breakup served as inspiration for a new song.
I was really moved by what she shared. She wrote a song about losing a friend, and it hit me hard because it’s so true – we just don’t really talk about when friendships end. It’s like there’s no way to process it, and her song really captured that feeling.
It’s still incredibly painful when a close relationship ends – after sharing so many good and bad times with someone, it’s hard when they’re suddenly no longer in your life. But these things happen, and you’re left wondering if you should try to fix what went wrong, or simply move on.
Yet more recently, Jesy’s relationship with her bandmates seems to have improved.
Someone asked Jesy on social media in 2024 if she’d heard the song ‘Angel Of My Dreams’ and what she thought of it.
To which she positively responded with: ‘I have it’s a vibe!!!’
Last October, Perrie appeared to show support for Jesy by liking an Instagram post where Jesy discussed her journey to feeling comfortable with her body.
As for her love life, Jesy has been in several notable relationships over the years.
She started dating Jordan Banjo from the dance group Diversity in 2012. However, after 10 months, they broke up due to the difficulties of balancing their busy schedules and frequent travel.
She then started a relationship with Jake Roche, the lead singer of Rixton and son of Coleen Nolan.
The couple got engaged in July 2015 but ended their engagement in November the following year.
Jesy Nelson once described breakups as incredibly painful, telling her Little Mix bandmates on Z100 radio: ‘It’s truly one of the worst feelings, it’s just horrendous.’
After leaving her previous relationship, Jesy briefly dated Chris Clark in 2017. She then went on to date musician Harry James for about a year and four months.
Jesy ended her relationship with Harry in November 2018. Shortly after, in January 2019, she was seen on a date with Chris Hughes from Love Island – they grabbed kebabs together, marking their first public appearance as a couple.
Although they had a short separation a month later, they soon reconciled and traveled to Dublin for a vacation together.
Chris had previously said he could imagine marrying the singer and starting a family with her.
On social media, Jesy had even referred to him as her ‘future husband’.
However, they soon called it quits despite fans believing that the pair would last in April 2020.
Reports said Jesy ended her relationship with Chris over the phone while they were both staying at separate homes during the COVID-19 lockdown.
She later began dating Sean Sagar, an actor from the show Our Girl, after growing close during the lockdown period.
The couple split in March 2021, with observant fans first noticing they had stopped following each other on social media.
After ending her relationship with Sean, Jesy started dating rapper Zion Foster in November 2022.
The couple announced that they were expecting their first child in January last year.
I’ve been so worried about her! Her pregnancy has been incredibly tough. She’s been in the hospital since March after doctors diagnosed her with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, or TTTS. It’s a really rare condition, and it’s been putting both of her babies at risk, which is just heartbreaking to think about.
Jesy announced the birth of her twin daughters on Instagram on May 18th, sharing that they arrived at 31 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy.
Everything happened so fast, and we’re incredibly grateful they’re here, doing well and staying strong! We feel more in love than ever before.
‘Everybody meet Ocean Jade Nelson-Foster and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster.’
Jesy recently shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, revealing that after 33 years of strict dieting, she’s finally comfortable and proud of her body.
She shared that she’s struggled with body image her whole life, constantly wishing she could change her stomach and waist.
She posted a message celebrating body positivity along with three beautiful black and white photos. The pictures show her with her baby daughters, and she’s wearing underwear, confidently showcasing her figure.
She shared that it took becoming a mother to two daughters, and facing the possibility of losing them, for her to truly appreciate her body and all it could do.
For thirty-three years, I constantly dieted and criticized my body, always wishing I could change my stomach and waist, and even considering cosmetic surgery. Now, I’m here, feeling proud enough to share this photo.
I’m so excited to take my daughters back to their first home, the place where they proved everyone wrong. Being pregnant for the last nine months has taught me that I never want them to struggle with body image like I did for so long.
Jesy advised new mothers who feel pressured to quickly regain their pre-pregnancy bodies to practice self-compassion and be kind to themselves.
To all new and expecting mothers, if you’re finding it hard to adjust to motherhood or feeling pressured to quickly regain your pre-pregnancy body, please remember what you’ve already accomplished! Be kind to yourself – you are amazing!
People quickly filled the comments section with supportive messages, with many praising Jesy as ‘amazing and resilient’.
These comments praise a woman as an incredible role model and mother. One commenter specifically noted how much ‘2011 Jesy’ would approve, and others complimented her beautiful appearance in the pictures.
What an incredible mother and body that carried and grew two beautiful babies! These photos are stunning. It’s wonderful to see you using your platform to show what real postpartum bodies look like – it’s truly amazing and empowering for other women.
That’s a really inspiring message! You’ve always been strong and beautiful to me, and your family is lovely. You look fantastic!
Jesy Nelson has revealed that doctors initially brushed off her concerns about her twin babies’ development, attributing it to their premature birth. She described this period as ‘the most heartbreaking time of my life’.
As a lot of you know, I’ve been going through a really tough time lately. It’s been the hardest three or four months of my life, and I’m sharing that my daughters have recently been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It’s a lot to process, but I wanted to be open about what’s been happening.
Jesy became emotional while describing her condition, explaining it impacts all of the body’s muscles – including those used for breathing, swallowing, arms, and legs. She explained that over time, the condition weakens and ultimately destroys those muscles.
I was really touched by a video a mom shared on Instagram recently. She explained that it all started when her mom noticed something about the twins – their legs just weren’t moving as freely as you’d expect at that age. It was the first little sign that something might be going on, and it clearly meant a lot to her to share that vulnerable moment.
Jesy took the children to the doctor to get checked out, and regular health check-ups had also been performed.
She shared that a few months prior, her mother had observed the girls weren’t moving their legs as actively as expected.
I wasn’t worried about it initially. Right after leaving the NICU, I was repeatedly told that since my babies were born prematurely, it wasn’t helpful to compare their development to that of other babies.
Everyone develops at their own pace, so accept them as they are and trust that they’ll achieve their goals in their own time.
Honestly, even when Jesy and Zion were worried about how things were going with feeding, it was such a relief knowing the health visitors were there to help calm their fears. I mean, they were so supportive, it just made me feel better knowing they had that extra bit of guidance!
Despite their concerns, they were assured the babies were doing well and were perfectly healthy.
After later undergoing further tests, they were given the SMA Type 1 diagnosis.
Fighting back tears, the singer revealed in a video on Sunday that without timely treatment, her baby wouldn’t be expected to live past the age of two.
She explained that doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital have advised that the girls will likely have permanent disabilities, meaning they probably won’t be able to walk or regain control of their necks.
She added: ‘The best thing we can do right now is get them treatment and hope for the best.’
Her ex-boyfriend, Chris, quickly commented on her post, offering support. He wrote, ‘You’re a fighter, Jess. Take it easy and sending good thoughts to you and everyone who’s supporting you.’
Reality star Jess Wright added: ‘Sending you so much love Jesy. Love & strength.’
Ashley James from Made In Chelsea expressed her support for Jesy, saying she was thinking of her and sending her and her fellow band members love and well wishes.
TOWIE’s Fran Parman penned: ‘Sending so many prayers and love your way. Xx.’
Singer Sam Bailey expressed sympathy for Jess, saying it wasn’t fair that she was going through a difficult time. She praised Jess’s strength in sharing her story and wished she could offer a comforting hug.
Ella Morgan said: ‘Sending you and your family all of my love and strength and prayers.’
Billie Shepherd added: ‘Sending you all so much love❤️ xxx.’
Amy Childs expressed her sympathy for Jesy Nelson, sending her love and support during a difficult time, and also extended well wishes to Jesy’s daughters.
As someone who follows pop culture and trends, I just saw the sweetest message from Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips! She was sending support to a friend, saying she’s a total superwoman and her girls are so lucky to have her. It’s a lovely reminder to lift up the amazing women in your life – a little encouragement goes a long way, doesn’t it?
Fighting back tears, the singer revealed in a video on Sunday that if her child’s condition isn’t treated quickly, the baby likely won’t live past age two.
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2026-01-06 04:22