Jesy Nelson is set to finally unveil the reasons behind her abrupt departure from Little Mix in a deeply personal new documentary series on Amazon Prime. The singer, aged 34, offered a first glimpse of 'Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix' by sharing a trailer on Instagram this Thursday, building anticipation for its release on February 13th.
A Candid Look at Personal Struggles
The docu-series promises to cover what Jesy describes as the 'most painful' period of her life. It charts her emotional journey to motherhood, during which she faced severe pregnancy complications, including Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. The series also follows the birth of her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, who have since been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA1).
Breaking the Silence on Little Mix
The trailer opens with a poignant scene of Jesy looking out at an empty stadium as she reflects on her past. 'I have never spoken about this,' she says. 'I just always wanted to entertain people. It felt magical and then it very quickly isn't. I have just always stayed quiet. I was the one that left.'
A montage of clips from her time in Little Mix shows Jesy breaking down in tears and sitting out of group dance practices, hinting at the internal struggles she faced. 'I've really struggled keeping all of this in... Now I'm ready to tell my side of the story,' she confesses in the preview.
The Rise to Fame and Its Toll
Jesy catapulted to fame alongside bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, and Perrie Edwards after winning The X Factor in 2011. However, her time in the spotlight was marred by severe trolling about her appearance, which significantly impacted her mental health. This led to a harrowing period where she attempted suicide by overdose, a story she previously shared in her BBC documentary, 'Odd One Out'.
In December 2020, Jesy confirmed her departure from Little Mix after nine years, citing a need to focus on her happiness and acknowledging the toll the group had taken on her mental health. Since then, her relationship with the remaining members has reportedly been distant, with Jesy revealing in 2023 that she hadn't spoken to them since her exit.
A Mother's Harrowing Journey
The documentary delves deeply into Jesy's pregnancy, capturing raw moments such as when she and her ex-fiancé, Zion Foster, were told by doctors there was only a 5% chance their twins would survive to birth. Scenes from her three-month hospital stay show Jesy in tears, lamenting, 'I hate that my body is letting me down.'
Her mother, Janice, is also featured, expressing her fears during the pregnancy, unaware of the further challenges to come with the twins' SMA1 diagnosis. This severe condition, which typically appears in infancy, causes extreme muscle weakness, swallowing difficulties, and respiratory issues.
Advocacy and Moving Forward
In response to her daughters' diagnosis, Jesy has become a campaigner, starting a petition to include SMA1 in the newborn blood spot screening test. She hopes to raise awareness and prevent other families from facing similar struggles without early detection.
The documentary's synopsis highlights its dual focus: navigating the highs and lows of a high-risk pregnancy while confronting the past, including the pressures of fame and her mental health battles. Jesy expressed her hopes for the series, stating, 'I hope you will all join me on this journey as I really open up and say goodbye to the past and enter this new chapter in my life.'
As the release date approaches, fans and viewers alike await an unfiltered look into Jesy Nelson's life, promising a story of resilience, heartbreak, and new beginnings.
