After nine “incredible” years with Little Mix, Jesy Nelson is leaving the British girl group “with a heavy heart.”
The 29-year-old singer made the announcement in a letter addressed to Mixers, the group’s fans, via an Instagram post on Tuesday, explaining how being in the band has “taken a toll on my mental health.”
“I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard,” said Jesy.
Jesy had been on a month-long hiatus due to “private medical reasons” which came after the release of their sixth album Confetti last November.
“There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process,” she said.
“So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix,” she added.
Jesy went on to express her thanks to “everyone involved in our journey,” her fans, and bandmates Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards.
The band also announced Jesy’s departure from the group, saying, “This is an incredibly sad time for all of us but we are fully supportive of Jesy.”
“We love her very much and agree that it is so important that she does what is right for her mental health and well-being.”
The girl group who will now continue as a three-piece added, “We are still very much enjoying our Little Mix journey and the 3 of us are not ready for it to be over.”
