Jade Thirlwall, barely 18 when Little Mix exploded onto the scene, faced a daunting question a decade later: could she truly succeed alone? The band’s incredible run – five number one hits, three Brit Awards – hadn’t erased a creeping fear that her moment might already be past.
The thought haunted her. Would audiences remember her voice, her energy, without the familiar presence of her bandmates? She wrestled with the anxieties of relevance, questioning if thirty-plus was “too old” to launch a solo career in a youth-obsessed industry.
The announcement of Little Mix’s break in May 2022 initially felt like a freefall. While Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards embraced new chapters with growing families, Jade found herself adrift, grappling with a sudden void in her life.
It was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of Little Mix’s success, a success she now admits was built on a precarious foundation. The pressure to maintain chart dominance was relentless, a constant tightrope walk where a single misstep could mean everything.
She vividly remembers a sleepover before the release of “Get Weird,” tears flowing as they confessed their fears: a song outside the Top 10 could mean the end. The irony, she reflects, is staggering considering the heights they’d already reached.
But Jade didn’t falter. Her debut album, “That’s Showbiz Baby,” soared to number three, matched by Perrie’s own successful release the following month. Summer saw her captivating crowds at major festivals like All Points East and Glastonbury.
Then came the ultimate validation. Her single, “Angel of My Dreams,” earned a Brit Award nomination for Song of the Year, and she ultimately took home the award for Best Pop Act – a historic moment, making her the first former girl group member to achieve this honor.
The achievement eclipsed even Little Mix’s groundbreaking success, a band that shattered records as the first girl group to win both The X Factor and a Brit Award for British Group. It was a testament to her resilience and artistry.
Despite the triumph, the fractured relationship with former bandmate Jesy Nelson remains a source of deep pain. Almost five years after her departure, the wounds are still raw, a testament to the years of shared history and devotion.
Jade openly admits the situation should have been handled differently, longing for an open conversation, a chance to understand and navigate the complexities of their evolving dynamic. She emphasizes the importance of therapy and understanding in processing the fallout.
Yet, amidst the challenges and reflections, a promise remains. Jade firmly believes in a future Little Mix reunion, declaring it will happen “if it’s the last thing I do.” The story isn’t over; it’s simply paused, waiting for the right moment to begin a new chapter.
