“I didn’t have time to breathe in Little Mix”: Jesy Nelson reveals she feels a “sense of independence” after leaving the band, saying, “There’s so much I haven’t been able to talk about.”
Jesy Nelson has said she feels “a real sense of independence” as a solo artist after leaving Little Mix.
The 31-year-old singer, who left the band in December 2020, said on Wednesday This Morning that she felt in a good place after struggling with her mental health.
She said: “Being in front of the camera has been a constant roller coaster ride in the band. You don’t have time to breathe and you don’t know how to feel.
‘We were so young. Now we are women. You learn a lot.”
Jesy recently revealed that she hasn’t spoken to ex-bandmates Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall in over two years.
‘I haven’t had time to breathe in Little Mix’: Jesy Nelson told This Morning on Wednesday she has a ‘sense of independence’ after leaving the band
Separated: Jesy left the group in December 2020, with Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards continuing as a trio before they split last year (pictured in May)
She said of her new album, “It’s raw and honest.”
“There are so many things I couldn’t talk about [before]. You have to talk to the authors about your experiences in order to be able to make music.’
Adding: “I am able to speak my truth about songs. I want to make music that makes a difference, so that’s really important to me.”
Jesy is no longer with a record label and said she felt free to put her own stamp on her latest single Bad Thing, in which she plays a victim of domestic violence.
The singer collaborated with Women’s Aid to document the ups and downs of a toxic relationship in the 1960s music video.
Directed by Charlie Sarsfield, Jesy cried real tears after her onscreen boyfriend (played by Sid Ellisdon) grabbed her by the throat and yelled at her.
The video documents Jesy’s onscreen partner, who battles infidelity, was with the wrong people and drugs in London’s East End in the 1960s while struggling to leave as he comforted her after their explosive argument.
Jesy said: “It was really important for me to create this video because many women have experienced domestic violence in my life. I wanted to raise awareness.
Moving on: Jesy is no longer with a record label and said she felt free to put her own stamp on her latest single Bad Thing, in which she plays a victim of domestic violence
Singer: Jesy has been praised by fans for showing a “realistic” portrayal of a victim of domestic violence in her music video Bad Thing
She’s back: The former Little Mix singer, 31, is back with a whole new sound that’s reminiscent of the likes of Billie Eilish and Raye with her moody sophomore single
“We ended up showing it to Women’s Aid. They loved it because they said it was so lifelike. It takes women six years to leave a relationship.’
Women’s Aid also took to Twitter to commend Jesy for raising awareness.
They wrote: “We are proud to have worked with #JesyNelson on her new video #BadThing, which provides a powerful snapshot of the reality of domestic violence.”
Jesy said she’s in a “really good place” at the moment, which has been supported by her fans.
She said: “I’ve formed such beautiful friendships with them. They are the nicest, sweetest fandom.
“I like connecting with them and hearing the stories they’re going through.”
And finally, Jesy said fans can expect to see her on tour soon.
“Absolutely, I can’t wait to get on tour,” she said.
“I feel like I haven’t toured in so long. I haven’t connected with them for so long.’
If you are affected by anything you saw in the video, you can find help and support at https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
Sets her own style rules: Jesy combined a white T-shirt with leather gloves and baggy jeans for the performance
A fond memory: While on the show, she showed off one of her tattoos, which read, “I’m Good Enough,” which is a Little Mix song
Telling her story: Jesy met with Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes who hosted the programme
Throwback: Jesy rose to fame with the girl band after all four original members auditioned separately for The X Factor in 2011