Jesy Nelson's toxic Little Mix split - black-fishing row and solo setbacks
Jesy Nelson has had an eventful few years since quitting Little Mix in 2020.
The 31-year-old singer announced her decision to go solo in an Instagram post in December 2020.
In the months after her decision to quit the band was announced, Jesy teased fans about her upcoming solo venture.
However, she has hit bumps in the road throughout her solo career and much hasn't been seen of the Boyz singer in recent months.
Jesy's career has now taken a new turn as she has returned back to our TV screens almost 12 years after she appeared on The X Factor.
GBBO's Prue Leith shares the big question all fans ask her about Channel 4 hit
Singer Jesy has joined the celebrity line-up of The Great British Bake Off and is set to put her baking skills to the test to raise funds for Stand Up To Cancer.
Jesy Nelson is taking part in the celebrity version of Great British Bake Off (Channel 4 / Love Productions)She will appear alongside Gemma Collins, David Schwimmer, and Judi Love in the iconic tent.
As she swaps the studio for the tent, we take a look at the ups and downs of Jesy's career in recent years.
Jesy's decision to quit Little Mix
After months of speculation about her place in the band, Jesy announced her decision to quit Little Mix after being in the band took a toll on her mental health.
Sharing the news in a statement on Instagram, Jesy wrote: " To all my Mixers,
Little Mix formed in 2011 – but Jesy quit the band a decade later (Getty Images)"The past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life.
"We have achieved things I never thought possible. From winning our first Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2.
"Making friends and fans al over the world I cant thank you all enough form the bottom of my heart for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
"You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never every forget it."
Jesy added: "The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up t expectations very hard.
Celeb Bake Off line-up in full - including Friends legend and Little Mix icon
"There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin the process.
"I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing thing that make me happy. I'm ready to embark on a new chapter in my life - I'm not sure what it's going to look like right now, but I hope you'll still be there to support me.
"I want to say thank you to everyone involved in our journey. All the hard work and dedication that went into making us a success.
"To every single fan who came to see us in concert, who listened to our songs and sung their hearts out, sent me messages and supported me along the way I want you to know I love you all so much and I could never have done this without you and I appreciate it endlessly.
"Most of all I want to say thank you to Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for creating some of the most amazing memories I'l neve forget. I hope that you'll continue to fufill all of your dreams and keep making music that people love. Love Jesy."
Little Mix's remaining members threw their support behind Jesy as she announced her decision to quit (Getty Images)Following the news, the three remaining Little Mix members also made a joint statement.
They wrote: "After an amazing 9 years together Jesy has made the decision to leave Little Mix. This is an incredibly sad time for all of us but we are fully supportive of Jesy.
"We love her very much and agree that it is so important that she does what is right for her mental health and well-being. We are still very much enjoying our Little Mix journey and the 3 of us are not ready for it to be over."
The girl band, who found fame on The X Factor, added: "We know that Jesy leaving the group is going to be really upsetting news for our fans. We love you guys so much and are so grateful for your loyalty and continued support of all of us.
"We’re looking forward to seeing so many of you on tour.
"Love always, Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne xxx."
Little Mix 'feud'
Following her decision to quit the band, rumours of a feud between Jesy and the remaining girl group members began to swirl.
Fans were left convinced Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade were no longer on amicable terms with Jesy when Perrie and Leigh-Anne announced their pregnancies and Jesy failed to congratulate the pair.
A month later in August 2021, Jesy revealed in an interview with The Guardian she was no longer on talking terms with the trio.
When asked if she was in touch with the girls, Jesy explained: "No, not as much. Not now. I think we all need time. It’s a big thing that’s happened. I still love them to pieces. They were like my sisters."
Jesy failed to congratulate Perrie and Leigh-Anne on their pregnancies (Daily Record)
Jesy revealed she hadn't spoken to the trio in months (jesynelson/Instagram)Things heated up in an alleged row when Jesy released the music video for her song Boyz, in which she was accused of Blackfishing – a term to describe a white person who alters their appearance to appear black or mixed-race.
Later, Leigh-Anne was accused of slating Jesy in leaked direct messages shared by influencer NoHun.
NoHun had asked fans if he should perform a routine to Jesy's debut solo track and Leigh-Anne replied saying "no".
"Omg Leigh Anne I thought you were all ok," he replied, to which Leigh-Anne said: "Do a video about her being a black fish instead."
She added: 'She blocked us. Cut us off. Horrible person."
Nicki Minaj even got involved in the row, and slammed Leigh-Anne as a 'jealous' 'clown' in a live video.
Jesy added of the allegations in the live video with Nicki, who featured in the track: "Thank you babe, honestly that really means a lot.
Jesy Nelson released Boyz, which featured Nicki Minaj (Chloe Rivers)"While we're on this subject I personally want to say my intention was never ever to offend people of colour with this video and my song.
"Like I said when I was a young girl this is the music that I listened to, these are the videos I watched and thought were the best."
Leigh-Anne then made a brutal dig at Jesy during her birthday party speech in October 2021.
She said: "I’m 30 years old. I know my character, you know my character, anyone that meets me knows my f***ing character – and that’s all I care about."
Jesy's solo career difficulties
After leaving Little Mix, Jesy announced her decision to launch her solo career.
Jesy signed to Polydor and released Boyz. However, the song and its music video divided fans as she was accused of blackfishing.
Speaking about the accusations, Jesy told Vulture: "I take all those comments made seriously. I would never intentionally do anything to make myself look racially ambiguous, so that’s why I was initially shocked that the term was directed at me."
In July last year, it was then announced by Polydor that the label had parted ways with Jesy.
In a statement to Metro, the label said: "Polydor have amicably parted ways with Jesy. We have enjoyed working with her and everyone at the label wishes her nothing but the best for the future."
But, that hasn't stopped Jesy from making new music as she revealed in November 2022 that she is set to release her debut solo album soon.
Lifting the lid on her new album, Jesy told fans: "Hello my beautiful people, I am back!’ she wrote after returning to social media following a break. ‘I decided I needed a bit of a social media break and it did me the world of good. I have missed you all so much.
"Thank you to all my amazing fans for being so loyal and patient I promise you there will be music soon but wanted to make sure it was perfect,’ she said. ‘Keep your eyes out for some clues but it is coming early next year."
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