Zion Foster, the former fiance of Little Mix star Jesy Nelson, has broken his silence on their split in an emotional message directed at their twin daughters. Foster and Nelson are parents to Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, who were born prematurely in May 2025 and later diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), a severe muscular disease.
Zion Foster Addresses Accusations of Abandonment
In an Instagram story shared on Wednesday, Foster responded to claims that he was walking away from his children. He stated: “When I said I was ‘out of my depth’ I wasn’t saying I was walking away from my children or abandoning my responsibilities as a father. I was talking about the overwhelming reality of suddenly facing a rare and complex medical diagnosis that I knew nothing about.”
Foster added: “I love my girls more than words could ever express. They are my world and always will be.” He clarified that it was Nelson’s decision to end their relationship, but he remains committed to co-parenting. “Although I respect that, it does not change the fact that I remain committed to my daughters in every way I possibly can,” he wrote.
The Couple's Journey and Split
Nelson, formerly of Little Mix, began dating musician Zion Foster in January 2022. The couple got engaged in September 2025, with Nelson announcing on Instagram: “Just got engaged to my best friend.” However, the relationship ended after their daughters’ SMA1 diagnosis, which Nelson revealed in January. She has since campaigned for newborn screening for the condition.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about the split, Nelson said: “We have been through such a traumatic experience and for us, our girls are our main priority and our main focus. We want to give them the most positive, happy and uplifting time and energy and because we have both been through such a traumatic experience, the energy wasn't right between us, which is understandable. We are still friends and we are still united in co-parenting our daughters.”
Upcoming Documentary
Nelson’s Prime Video documentary, Jesy Nelson: Life Changing, premieres on Friday, July 17. The series is described as a ‘raw and powerful’ look at her life as she copes with her daughters’ diagnosis, adapts to daily challenges, and navigates single motherhood after the breakup.
Foster concluded his message: “Please don’t mistake vulnerability for abandonment. Asking for help or admitting you don’t have all the answers doesn’t make someone a bad father. It makes them human.”
