Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson taking extended time-off from band for private medical reasons
POP star Jesy Nelson is to take an “extended time-off” from Little Mix for private medical reasons.
The 29-year-old singer confirmed the hiatus from the group in a statement via the band’s management, after missing several appearances including the final of their BBC1 show The Search and their hosting slot at the MTV European Music Awards nearly two weeks ago.
Jesy Nelson is taking an ‘extended break’ from Little Mix[/caption]Announcing the extension of her break, a spokesman for the group said: “Jesy is having extended time off from Little Mix for private medical reasons.
“We will not be issuing any further comment currently and ask media to please respect her privacy at this time.”
It comes after she previously confirmed she would miss the band’s most recent high profile appearances two weeks ago.
At the time a spokesman said: “Jesy is unwell and will not be appearing on tonight’s final of Little Mix: The Search.
Little Mix were the first group to win The X Factor at the height of its success back in 2011[/caption] The four-piece are set to tour in April [/caption]“She will also not be hosting or performing at tomorrow’s MTV EMAs.”
Jesy has been a member of the group since they formed on The X Factor in 2011, alongside bandmates Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall.
Together they have sold more than 50million records, landing two Brit Awards, four number one singles and releasing six albums along the way.
They are also scheduled to hit the road on tour again in April next year, though it’s thought the dates may be delayed if necessary as a result of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
But the group have also faced strain after a well-documented fall out with their former record label, Simon Cowell’s SyCo Music in November 2018 – which saw them move to rival record RCA amid a bust-up between Cowell and the band’s management company, Modest Management.
Four of Little Mix’s albums have enjoyed platinum sales[/caption]After the incident, which erupted as they made their LM5 album, Simon told The Sun the dispute “wasn’t down to money” and added: “Basically, they said we’d done a terrible job.
“I had agreed not to talk about this publicly because I thought it was a private matter.
“I said ‘We can’t work with the management, it’s as simple as that’.”
But The X Factor judge said he’s still on good terms with Jade, Perrie, Jesy and Leigh-Anne and has planned to meet up with them.
The close friends were formed as a group on The X Factor in 2011[/caption]He said he’s never fallen out with the band, adding: “As I said in my email to them, I stand by the fact they are the hardest working bunch of girls I’ve ever worked with. They deserve everything they’ve got.”
The girls later told The Sun a change was “always good,” with Perrie adding: “We’re ready for a fresh start.”
Leigh-Anne explained: “We were with Syco for seven years and had an incredible journey but it’s going to be nice to change it up and get a new view on us.
“A change and a fresh start is a good thing, we’re excited.”
Little Mix on the set of their BBC talent show The Search[/caption]Most read in Celebrity
Little Mix were the first group to win The X Factor at the height of its success back in 2011, a year after boyband One Direction finished third, and quickly joined the ranks of pop superstars with a string of chart hits – including Wings, Black Magic and Shout Out To My Ex.
Four of their albums have enjoyed platinum sales, and a string of spin-off projects including clothing ranges, perfume, beauty products and an autobiography have cemented their status as A-listers.
Away from the band Jesy won a National Television Award for her work on a landmark TV documentary called Odd One Out addressing online bullying and struggles with body image.