‘I didn’t get 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 spoke of feeling “a real sense of independence” as a solo artist after leaving Little Mix.
The singer, 31, who left the band in December 2020, said on This Morning on Wednesday that she feels in a good place after struggling with her mental health.
She said, “Being in front of the camera was a constant roller coaster in the band. You don’t get the time to breathe and know how you should 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 didn’t get time to breathe in Little Mix’: Jesy Nelson told This Morning on Wednesday that she feels a ‘sense of independence’ after leaving the band
She said of her new album, “It’s raw and honest.”
“There are so many things I can’t talk about [before]. You have to talk to the writers about your experiences in order to make music.’
Adding: “I can speak my truth about songs. I want to make music that makes a difference, so this is really important to me.”
Jesy is no longer with a record label and said she felt free to make her own mark on her latest single Bad Thing, in which she plays the victim of domestic violence.
The singer teamed up with Women’s Aid to chart the highs and lows of a toxic relationship in the 1960s music video.
Directed by Charlie Sarsfield, Jesy cried real tears after her on-screen boyfriend (played by Sid Ellisdon) grabbed her by the throat and yelled at her.
The video documents Jesy’s on-screen partner battling infidelity, with the wrong crowd and drugs in London’s East End in the 1960s, as she struggles to leave as he comforts her after their explosive argument.
Jesy said, “It was very important for me to make this video because many women in my life have experienced domestic violence. I wanted to create awareness.
Singer: Jesy has been praised by fans for showing a ‘realistic’ portrayal of a domestic violence victim in her music video Bad Thing
She’s back: The former Little Mix singer, 31, is back with an all-new sound that mimics the likes of Billie Eilish and Raye with her moody second single
“In the end, we showed it to Women’s Aid. They loved it because they said it was so lifelike. Women take six years to end a relationship.’
Women’s Aid also took to Twitter to praise 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 realities of domestic violence.”
Jesy said she’s in a “really good place” right now, which is helped by her fans.
She said, “I’ve built such beautiful friendships with them. They are the nicest, sweetest fan base.
“I like getting in touch 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 go on tour,” she said.
“I feel like I haven’t toured in so long. I haven’t had contact with them in so long.’
If you are affected by anything you have seen in the video then help and support is available at https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
Separately: Jesy left the group in December 2020, while Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards continued as a trio before splitting up last year (pictured in May)
Throwback: Jesy rose to fame with the girl band after all four original members individually auditioned for The X Factor in 2011