The spotlight felt intensely hot on Jade Thirlwall as she stood on stage in Pittsburgh, the opening notes of “Natural Disaster” filling the arena. It wasn’t just another performance; it was a raw, emotional moment playing out in front of a captivated audience.
Days earlier, Jesy Nelson’s long-awaited documentary had aired, revealing the depths of her struggles during her time in Little Mix and the painful fracturing of her relationships with her former bandmates. Now, with each word of the song – rumored to be about Jesy – Jade’s voice trembled, laced with a vulnerability that resonated through the venue.
The lyrics cut deep, a poignant reflection on the complexities of friendship and self-destruction: “It’s hard to love you when you hate yourself… Can’t be there for you without negatively impacting my mental health.” Jade’s hand instinctively went to her heart, a visible sign of the emotional weight she carried.
Jesy’s departure from Little Mix in 2020 had been shrouded in sadness, a consequence of a battle with mental health that ultimately became too overwhelming. She’d described feeling utterly alone, a feeling that culminated in a devastating attempt on her life after confiding in the group about her pain.
The documentary unveiled a heartbreaking claim: that her pleas for support were met with a dismissive question – “Are you done now, is that it?” – a moment Jesy described as feeling like no one truly cared. This revelation ignited a firestorm of reaction and reopened old wounds.
In the years following the split, a silence descended. Jesy unfollowed her former bandmates on social media, creating a stark digital distance that mirrored the emotional chasm between them. The once inseparable quartet, who had once referred to each other as “sisters,” were now estranged.
The fallout wasn’t limited to personal feelings. Jesy faced criticism surrounding a collaboration with Nicki Minaj, a situation that further strained her relationship with Leigh-Anne Pinnock. The band had initially sought a neutral space – a therapist present – for any conversations with Jesy, acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation.
Perrie Edwards, in a candid interview, confessed to “grieving” the loss of Jesy, admitting the separation felt like a “dagger to the heart.” She acknowledged the pain of the situation, stating that despite their efforts, some wounds simply don’t heal easily.
Jade Thirlwall, too, has spoken of the lingering impact of the split, describing it as a “traumatic experience” she is “still getting over.” The weight of those years, the shared history, and the subsequent heartbreak clearly haven’t faded with time.
Recently, news emerged that Jesy’s newborn twins have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Reports suggest that Jade, Leigh-Anne, and Perrie have all reached out to offer support, a small gesture of connection amidst years of silence.
Jesy herself has expressed a desire to move forward, to “put it to bed” and allow time to heal the fractured bonds. She acknowledged the passage of time, the shared experience of motherhood among the three remaining members, and the need for space to process the past.
The performance in Pittsburgh wasn’t just a concert moment; it was a glimpse into the enduring pain of a broken friendship, a testament to the complexities of navigating personal struggles within the public eye, and a quiet hope for a future where healing might finally be possible.
