Zion Foster, the ex-fiancé of singer Jesy Nelson, has publicly addressed the backlash he received following the release of the Amazon Prime Video documentary Jesy Nelson: Life Changing. In the film, Foster admitted feeling 'out of my depth' after their twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 1, the most severe form of the rare genetic condition. Some viewers interpreted his words as an abandonment of parental duties, prompting Foster to issue a detailed rebuttal on Instagram Stories.
Foster Clarifies His Comments on Feeling Overwhelmed
In his Instagram statement, Foster wrote: 'I've stayed quiet because my focus has always been where it should be – on my children. Reading some of the comments over the last few days has been incredibly painful because they simply aren't true.' He explained that his remark about being 'out of my depth' referred to the shock of facing a rare medical diagnosis, not a lack of commitment. '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. I was being honest. I didn't have the knowledge. I didn't have the experience. I was scared.'
The 26-year-old emphasized that vulnerability does not equate to abandonment: 'Being out of my depth meant I was learning. It meant I was trying to understand. It never meant I didn't love my daughters or that I wasn't going to be there for them. I love my girls more than words could ever express. They are my world and always will be.'
Foster Addresses Split from Jesy Nelson and Ongoing Commitment
Foster also addressed the end of his relationship with Nelson, stating that their breakup has not diminished his role as a father. 'The end of a relationship does not mean the end of fatherhood,' he wrote. 'Jesy made the decision to end our relationship, and although I respect that, it does not change the fact that I remain committed to my daughters in every way I possibly can. I attend every appointment. I educate myself every single day about their condition. I ask questions. I listen. I learn. I support them however I can because being their father is the greatest responsibility and privilege of my life.'
He described the family's journey as 'heartbreaking' for everyone and stressed that he shares Nelson's pain because 'these are our children.' In a plea to critics, he urged: 'Please don't mistake vulnerability for abandonment. They're not the same thing. Asking for help or admitting you don't have all the answers doesn't make someone a bad father. It makes them human.' Foster concluded that his daughters will one day know the truth: 'I never stopped loving them, never stopped fighting for them and never stopped being their dad.'
Documentary Reveals Strain of SMA Diagnosis on Relationship
The documentary, which follows Nelson's high-risk pregnancy and the twins' diagnosis, also captures the emotional toll on the couple. Nelson tearfully admitted that the trauma ultimately ended their romance. 'You'll either be a team or it'll tear you apart and unfortunately I feel that's what it's done to me and Zion,' she said. Despite the split, she noted they 'still get on' with 'no bad feeling,' but acknowledged they coped with their daughters' diagnosis in very different ways.
Nelson and Foster began their relationship in 2022 after years of friendship and announced in January 2025 that they were expecting identical twins. During the pregnancy, Nelson underwent emergency surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and the twins were born prematurely in May. The documentary details their subsequent diagnosis with SMA Type 1 and the challenges the family faces.
Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic condition that affects the nerves controlling muscle movement. Symptoms vary but can include muscle weakness, tremors, bone and joint problems, movement difficulties, and issues with breathing or swallowing. SMA Type 1 is the most severe form, typically diagnosed in infancy.
