Jade Thirlwall has revealed she battles daily with the temptation to use Ozempic, as she reflects on her journey from Little Mix to solo stardom. The 32-year-old singer, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2011, says she never thought she would make it in music, but now feels she is having a 'bonus round' with her debut solo album.
Thirlwall, who sold 75 million records with Little Mix, has spoken candidly about her struggles with an eating disorder and racism during her time in the band. She described a 'daily battle with myself not to go on Ozempic', the weight-loss drug, highlighting the ongoing pressures of the music industry. Despite these challenges, she looks back on her girlband years with pride, calling Little Mix 'the best, coolest girlband ever'.
Her solo career has been marked by ambitious, maximalist pop, including her debut single 'Angel of My Dreams', which was nominated for an Ivor Novello award. Thirlwall's performance at the Brit Awards, featuring a trapdoor entrance and giant angel wings, was widely praised. She has also been unafraid to speak out on political issues, leading a chant against Reform and welfare cuts at Glastonbury, and previously tweeting her opposition to bombing Isil targets in Syria.
Thirlwall credits her early influences, including drag queens from Benidorm, for her melodramatic style. She insists on high production values, telling her record label: 'I’m not a low‑budget artist! Give me what I need!' Her approach has paid off, winning her the Best Pop Act award and setting her up as a potential homegrown superstar.
