Pop star Jessie J has shared a powerful and defiant message with her fans, posting a bathroom mirror selfie in a black swimsuit as she celebrates her body after beating breast cancer. The 37-year-old singer, known for hits like Price Tag, told her 14.2 million Instagram followers she is starting to get her "spicy" back following a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
A Journey Through Health and Heartbreak
Jessie revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in June of this year. She subsequently underwent a mastectomy, a surgical procedure to remove breast tissue. In a candid interview with The Guardian, she described the surreal experience of going into surgery, comparing it to an episode of the dystopian Netflix series Black Mirror. "I hate being put under," she admitted. "You feel like you're in an episode of Black Mirror."
Despite the ordeal, the singer emphasised her gratitude for an early detection. "Cancer sucks, man, but you know what? Thank f*** I found it early," she stated. She went on to describe the humorous yet challenging aftermath of her reconstructive surgery, noting her breasts are now different sizes. "They didn't do an implant as small as my original. How rude!" she joked. "I thought, no need to bully me, I'm already having a rough time."
Emotional Onstage Tributes and Personal Loss
This public display of resilience comes after an emotionally charged performance at the London launch of her new album, Don't Tease Me with a Good Time. During the show, Jessie broke down in tears while debuting new songs that tackled profound personal grief.
One track, titled Comes In Waves, marked four years since her devastating miscarriage in 2021. Addressing the audience, she said, "Today marks 4 years that I lost my baby... It's really f*****g sad and it's something you can't ever really prepare for." She has since welcomed a son, Sky, with her boyfriend Chanan Safir Colman in May 2023.
She also performed I'll Never Know Why, a song dedicated to her former bodyguard and close friend Dave, who died unexpectedly in 2018. Jessie described Dave as family and a protective figure during her early rise to fame, saying his spirit "still protects me and keeps me safe."
A Life Peppered with Health Challenges
Reflecting on her life, Jessie believes her success has often been punctuated by significant health issues. As a child star in London's West End, she was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart condition. She later suffered a minor stroke at age 17, shortly after securing a record deal.
More recently, in 2020, a car crash damaged her larynx just as she was poised to release new music, leaving her unable to sing for a year. "Cancer ruined that plan," she wryly noted about her previous vow never to get cosmetic surgery on her breasts due to her OCD.
Through her Instagram caption—"Post baby, Post cancer, This Aries mamma is starting to get her spicy back"—Jessie J sends a message of survival, acknowledging the dual battles of motherhood and a life-threatening illness while embracing her journey back to strength.
