Former Little Mix member Jesy Nelson has revealed her reasons for leaving the group.
On Saturday (August 21), Nelson spoke to The Guardian about her departure from the girl group and her mental health issues that led her to go solo. She called the time spent at home during the lockdown “the happiest I have ever been”.
In October 2020, Nelson learned that the girls would be filming the music video for “Sweet Melody” in two weeks. She explained that she ate whatever she wanted during the lockdown and gained weight and didn’t want to appear in a bikini like other girls would.
Nelson suffered a severe anxiety attack before a live performance on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. Member Perrie Edwards took his solos for performance. It was the first time she had suffered a panic attack from a performance.
“I was having these panic attacks out of nowhere. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. It got to the point where I thought it was too much – I have to get out of it now, “she said.
She later ended up doing the music video for “Sweet Melody” and had another panic attack.
“After the video, I just walked into a very dark place and ended up in the hospital,” she revealed. “That’s when my mom said, ‘No more. “
Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Edwards also approached her mother and said, “We think Jesy should get out of this now. She has to take care of herself. “
Nelson said his dissatisfaction over the years has also had an impact on his band mates. She added, “As much as I needed to work it out on my own, I didn’t want to keep doing this to three other people.”
When she announced her departure from the group in March, social media trolls speculate that she still had plans to leave the group. She clarified that when she left the group, she was unable to venture into a solo music career.
“What I’ve said a million times is that I never said I would leave the band and never be in the public eye again. I said I was getting out of Little Mix because I couldn’t take the pressure of being in a girl group, not that I couldn’t take the pressure of being in the spotlight or being famous, ” she explained.
Nelson speculated that the now three-member girl group would take some time for Edwards and Pinnock to give birth, and then pick up the music again.
“I still love them in pieces. They were like my sisters,” Nelson continued.
When asked if she keeps in touch with them, she said no. “Not as much. Not now. I think we all need time. It’s a great thing that has happened,” she concluded.
Nelson has just released his first solo single “Boyz”. Little Mix will be releasing their tenth anniversary album Between Us, which will be released on November 12.
