The secret signs Jesy Nelson was quitting Little Mix – from not writing Confetti to tears on Radio 1
JESY Nelson tonight sensationally quit Little Mix saying her nine years in the band had taken “a toll on her mental health“.
The announcement caused shockwaves among the band’s millions of fans – but there have been clues that the much-loved 29-year-old was going to part ways with the group for some time.
The star explained that Little Mix had given her the “most incredible time” of her life – but added: “The truth is, recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health.”
Here we look at some of the clues that Jesy was going to stop working with Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
From dropping out of The Search and the MTV EMAs to not joining in with writing their sixth album, Confetti, we look at the signs the star was struggling with her place in Little Mix.
No writing credits on Confetti
Confetti is Little Mix’s sixth album and the last that will feature Jesy after she quit the group tonight.
However, there were signs she was thinking of moving on when she didn’t register any writing credits on the album, unlike the others.
While Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade were listed as writers on the likes of Break-Up Song and Holiday, there were no credits for Jesy on any of the 13 tracks.
Being happy about lockdown
Jesy made no secret of the fact she was glad when lockdown brought the world of live music to a screeching halt.
During an interview on This Morning, she told Rochelle Humes and Dermot O’Leary: “I’ve got to be honest, I feel like I am living my best life.
“All I have been doing is eating, watching Netflix and going in the garden. I have been living the dream life.”
Breaking down in tears on Radio 1
Poor Jesy broke down in tears in September after becoming overwhelmed during a live Little Mix radio performance.
The singer later revealed she suffered a panic attack moments before her first performance out of lockdown with the band.
She explained: “So my nerves got the better of me today. I had panic attack right before we were about to sing this for live lounge today and like a pro @perrieedwards jumped in for my part last minute and smashed it.”
Dropping out of The Search
Little Mix fans were shocked when it was announced that Jesy would not be appearing in the final of Little Mix’s TV show The Search.
She was also ruled out of hosting and performing duties at the MTV EMAs, where the group were up for four awards.
A spokesperson for the band said she was unwell and unable to join in, with Leigh-Anne telling viewers after they scooped an award: “We just so wish our girl Jesy was here to receive this with us.”
Striking out on her own with doc
Jesy rose to fame on The X Factor alongside her bandmates in 2011 but last year she struck out on her own with her much-lauded documentary.
The star fronted the powerful Odd One Out for the BBC, tackling issues including mental health, body image and online bullying.
It was greeted with wild acclaim with fans saluting her for her bravery and viewers handing her the Factual Entertainment Award at the NTAs in January this year.
Taking time off from Little Mix
Perhaps the biggest clue Jesy was on the way out of Little Mix came when she announced she would be taking a break from the band in November.
Some fans dubbed the move ‘doing a Zayn’ in reference to One Direction’s Zayn Malik, who was the first to leave that group.
He left in 2015, with the group carrying on without him until 2017, when all members had released solo material, with the band on an indefinite hiatus.
However, Little Mix say they are going tonight, tonight reiterating that their 2021 tour is going ahead as planned.