Jesy Nelson leaves Little Mix, says being in the band ‘really affected her mental health’

JESY NELSON HAS announced that he will be leaving Little Mix after nine years in the band.

In a statement on social media tonight, the 29-year-old said she will be leaving the band for mental health reasons.

“The truth is that being in the band recently has really affected my sanity. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very difficult, ”Nelson said.

“There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves instead of focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to start that process,” he said.

Nelson said he leaves the band “with a heavy heart”, adding that he needs to “spend time with the people I love, doing things that make me happy.”

“I’m ready to embark on a new chapter in my life. I’m not sure what it will be like now, but I hope you are still there to support me,” she said.

Nelson thanked his three bandmates, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, for “creating some of the most incredible memories I will never forget.”

“I hope you continue to fulfill all your dreams and keep making music that people love,” he said.

Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix

Source: Scott Garfitt via PA Images

In a separate social media post, the band wished Nelson the best, writing, “After nine incredible years together, Jesy has made the decision to leave Little Mix. This is an incredibly sad time for all of us, but we fully support Jesy.

“We love her very much and we agree that it is very important that she do the right thing for her mental health and well-being.”

After 9 incredible years together, Jesy has made the decision to leave Little Mix. This is an incredibly sad time for all of us, but we fully support Jesy.

– Little Mix (@LittleMix) December 14, 2020

The post, signed by Thirlwall, Edwards and Pinnock, adds: “We are still really enjoying our Little Mix journey and the three of us are not quite ready for it to end.”

Nelson has spoken publicly about his mental health in the past. In a BBC documentary Odd One Out, he spoke about his struggles with body image and revealed that he had tried to kill himself in 2013.

Little Mix rose to fame after winning the eighth season of The X Factor in 2011. Since then, the band has released six studio albums.

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