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 immense popularity – five number one hits, three Brit Awards – suddenly felt fragile as she contemplated a future without her bandmates.
A wave of self-doubt washed over her. Would audiences remember her? Would she even *matter* as a solo artist? The thought of starting anew at 30-plus sparked a quiet panic – was that too old to begin a completely different chapter?
The announcement of Little Mix’s break in May 2022 initially felt like a freefall. While Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards embraced new roles as mothers, finding solace in growing families, Jade found herself adrift. It was a stark contrast – they willingly stepped into new lives, while she felt…alone.
Adjusting to life after Little Mix proved to be her greatest challenge. The other members had immediate distractions, new focuses. Jade was left to navigate uncharted territory, grappling with uncertainty and the weight of expectation.
But from that uncertainty bloomed a remarkable solo career. Her debut album, *That’s Showbiz Baby*, soared to number three on the charts, matched by Perrie’s own successful release the following month. Summer saw her captivating crowds at major festivals like All Points East and Glastonbury.
The pinnacle arrived at the 2025 Brit Awards. Her single, “Angel of My Dreams,” earned a coveted Song of the Year nomination, 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.
This victory echoed Little Mix’s own groundbreaking success, mirroring their status as the first girl group to win both *The X Factor* and a Brit Award for British Group. Yet, beneath the glittering surface of success, lay a constant pressure.
Jade remembers a precarious existence, a “tightrope” of maintaining chart dominance. She recalls a tearful sleepover before the release of “Get Weird,” the group fearing a fall from grace and potential abandonment. It’s a stark reminder of the anxieties that fueled their incredible run.
Despite the current hiatus, Jade firmly believes in a Little Mix reunion. She’s stated unequivocally that it *will* happen, if it’s the last thing she does. However, the relationship with former member Jesy Nelson remains deeply strained, a source of ongoing pain for all involved.
The departure, almost five years ago, was “incredibly painful,” requiring extensive therapy and understanding to process. Jade expresses a longing for a different outcome – a simple conversation, a chance to address the issues openly and honestly. It’s a wish that lingers, a testament to the deep bonds forged and the lingering hurt of a fractured friendship.
