Jesy Nelson quits Little Mix after mental health hit by ‘constant pressure of being in a girl group’
Little Mix (YouTube)
Jesy Nelson has quit Little Mix after nine years, it has been confirmed.
Jesy Nelson announcing she is leaving Little Mix because of the toll fame has taken on her mental health.
“The truth is recently being the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard,” she said in a statement.
Nelson called her years with the group “the most incredible time of my life”, but said: “There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focussing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process.”
Thanking fans for their support and encouragement, and for making her “feel like the luckiest girl in the world”, she confirmed: “With a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix.”
“Most of all I want to say thank-you to Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for creating some of the most amazing memories that I’ll never forget,” she added.
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The remaining Little Mix members confirmed they will continue on as a three piece.
“After an amazing nine years together Jesy has made the decision to leave Little Mix,” the band said.
“This is an incredibly sad time for all of us but we are fully supportive of Jesy.
“We know that Jesy leaving the group is going to be really upsetting news for our fans.
“We love you guys so much and are so grateful for your loyalty and continued support of all of us.
“We’re looking forward to seeing so many of you on tour.”
Jesy Nelson at the National Television Awards. (Getty)
The statement was signed by Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Jesy had been on a break from the band since 17 November, having previously missed the final of the band’s reality competition show, Little Mix: The Search, on 7 November, the day after their sixth album Confetti was released.
After the announcement that her departure would be permanent, fans sent both Jesy and Little Mix an outpouring of love and support.
I’m devastated that jesy is leaving little mix but her mental health and well being is more important please take care jesy we love you ♥️ #LittleMix #WeLoveYouJesy pic.twitter.com/3pLWGcTARN— Andrea ⁷ (@drea_universe) December 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/jadesmycure/status/1338536776647008264
This is really sad news, but mental health should always be the priority and I hope in the coming days, #LittleMix fans will be kind and supportive to both Jesy and the the group as a whole https://t.co/6S63J5MhGh— David Opie (@DavidOpie) December 14, 2020
Jesy Nelson spoke candidly about the toll fame had taken on her in her 2019 documentary Odd One Out.
She opened up about an attempted suicide brought about by incessant online trolling.
The documentary broke viewing records for BBC Three and won Jesy a National Television Award.
