Jesy Nelson has announced that she is leaving Little Mix after nine years.
The singer, 29, took to Instagram on Monday night to share a heartfelt statement where she revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’.
Jesy also emotionally said that being in the band has taken a ‘toll on her mental health’ and that she finds the ‘constant pressure very hard’.
Announcement: Jesy Nelson has announced that she is leaving Little Mix after nine years (pictured earlier this year)
Little Mix also took to Instagram to share the news as they admitted it was an ‘incredibly sad time’ for the band but they ‘fully support’ her decision.
The band – made up of Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock – also confirmed that they would be remaining as a trio.
Jesy penned: ‘To all my Mixers, the past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life. We have achieved things I never thought possible. From winning our first Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2.
‘Making friends and fans all over the world I can’t thank you all enough from the bottom of my heart for making me fee like the luckiest girl in the world. You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never ever forget it.
Emotional: The singer, 29, took to Instagram on Monday night to share a heartfelt statement where she revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’
‘Very hard’: Jesy also emotionally said that being in the band has taken a ‘toll on her mental health’ and that she finds the ‘constant pressure very hard’ (pictured with bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall L-R in September)
Support: Little Mix also took to Instagram to share the news as they admitted it was an ‘incredibly sad time’ for the band but they ‘fully support’ her decision
‘The truth is recently being in the band has really 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.
‘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.
‘So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix.’
Jesy emotionally added: ‘I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing things that make me happy.
Trio: The band – made up of Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall (L-R) – also confirmed that they would be remaining as a trio
‘I’m ready to embark on a new chapter in my life – I’m not sure what it’s going to look like right now, but I hope you’ll still be there to support me.
I want to say thank you to everyone involved in our journey. All the hard work and dedication that went into making us a success.
‘To every single fan who came to see us in concert, who listened to our songs and sung their hearts out, sent me messages and supported me along the way I want you to know I love you all so much and I could never have done this without you and I appreciate it endlessly.
‘Most of all I want to say thank you to Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for creating some of the most amazing memories I’ll never forget. I hope that you’ll continue to fulfil all of your dreams and keep on making music that people love. Love Jesy x.’
Little Mix also took to Instagram to share a statement over the news where they confirmed they would continue as a trio.
They wrote: ‘After an amazing 9 years together Jesy has made the decision to leave Little Mix. 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. We are still very much enjoying our Little Mix journey and the 3 of us are not ready for it to be over.
‘We know that Jesy leaving the group is going to be really upsetting news for our fans. We love you guys so much and are so grateful for your loyalty and continued support of all of us. We’re looking forward to seeing so many of you on tour.
‘Love always, Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne xxx.’
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing fans claimed Little Mix ‘aren’t the same’ without Jesy as her bandmates appeared on Sunday’s Strictly Come Dancing semi-final.
Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock captivated audiences as they sang their hit track Break Up Song shortly before GMB presenter Ranvir Singh became the seventh contestant to be eliminated from the competition series.
While viewers praised musicians Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for putting on an impressive set, they admitted they missed songstress Jesy following her announcement last month.
Show must go on: It comes after Strictly Come Dancing fans claimed Little Mix ‘aren’t the same’ without Jesy as her bandmates appeared on Sunday’s Strictly Come Dancing semi-final
One fan focused on their passionate show as they wrote on Twitter: ‘Just watched @littlemix on the telly. They killed that break up song performance. The UK hasn’t seen vocal talent like these lasses #strictly.’
‘#StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly #LittleMix did a fantastic performance of #BreakUpSong. But I really want #JesyNelson to come back soon. I hope the reasons she is missing from the group are not serious’, another added.
Other social media users agreed, with one writing: ‘Love seeing @LittleMix on #Strictly, beautiful performance. Just need Jesy back soon, isnt the same without her!’
Another added: ‘Loving @LittleMix on #strictly but sending love to @iamjesylouise hope you are looking after yourself you lovely lady xxx #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly2020 #JesyNelson xxxxx’
In their element: Singer Jade, 27, stunned in a feathered dress as she joined, Perrie, also 27, and Leigh-Anne, 29, to sing their hit track Break Up Song
Time off: Last month, the band’s representative confirmed the singer, 29, would be taking an ‘extended break’ due to ‘private medical reasons
Throwback: The artists last performed on the BBC programme as a group of four in December 2018 (pictured)
A third posted: ‘It ain’t #LittleMix without #JesyNelson #Strictly…. Still so weird seeing @LittleMix as a 3, it’s usually only for one performance then whoever was sick is back. Hope Jesy is ok. #Strictly’
While a fourth commented: ‘@LittleMix my 6 year old says she misses Jesy and hopes she’s better soon! Told her she’s under the weather #Strictly.’ (sic)’
The artists last performed on the BBC programme as a group of four in December 2018.
Last month, Little Mix’s representative announced Jesy would be taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons.’
Incomplete: While viewers praised the musicians for putting on an impressive set, they admitted they missed songstress Jesy following her announcement last month
The singer had admitted she ‘needed time off’ from the band just one week before announcing she was taking ‘an extended break.’
In an interview with the Mail On Sunday’s YOU magazine published on November 8, she told how the band ‘needed’ some time apart because they are together all day, every day.
She said: ‘It was needed. We’re never not with each other and we’re always busy. Our mornings start early, we finish really late.’
Bandmate Jade recently gave her support to her close friend after the big news was revealed, insisting that Little Mix will always be ‘family’.
Bittersweet: The trio were complimented by fans, who admitted their session wasn’t the same without their beloved bandmate
Speaking to The Mirror, the Geordie said: ‘We’ve always been about lifting each other up – I think that translates. People aren’t stupid, they can tell when you’re on stage if you aren’t getting along.
‘Maybe that’s why people have warmed to us for nearly 10 years. We’re family now.’
Jade dismissed claims that the award-winning group are splitting up but admitted they ‘might’ do their own projects at some point in the future.
Jesy’s break comes following great success for Little Mix, with both their brand new album Confetti as well as their talent show Little Mix: The Search.
The series saw them put together a number of bands who competed against one another to win a place support the girl group on their UK and Ireland tour next year.
Candid: The musician had admitted she ‘needed time off’ from the group just one week before the announcement (pictured together in September)
There have since been reports that Little Mix are reportedly planning to pursue solo careers.
The Sun reported that Perrie and Jade are both looking at music projects while Leigh-Anne is eyeing up TV opportunities.
A source said: ‘The girls have been open and honest with each other, and with their current management team.
‘They have started discussions with some prospective managers and agents about what their solo careers might look like.
All over: Ranvir Singh became the seventh celebrity to depart the dance floor, following a dance-off against Jamie Laing
‘Some of the girls might end up taking on solo projects with their current management team too. But this isn’t about ending the band, it’s about looking to the future.’
The source added that the group still have a tour to complete next April and will see it through, even if it is delayed due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, new anchor Ranvir’s departure from the show with professional partner Giovanni Pernice, 30 means the line-up for the highly anticipated final includes HRVY, Maisie Smith, Bill Bailey and Jamie Laing.
Close call: The line-up for the final includes HRVY, Maisie Smith, Bill Bailey and Jamie, who ended up in the bottom two for a fourth time (pictured with Karen Hauer)
When asked by Strictly host Tess Daly about her time on the show, the presenter, 43, said: ‘I’m just really sorry for him [Giovanni], he’s worked so hard and been in so many finals that I’m really sorry I couldn’t do it for you. Sorry.’
Dancer Giovanni responded: ‘You don’t have to be sorry at all, we’ve both worked very hard, you’ve been an absolute dream to work with. You are a true hero, your job at 3 o’clock in the morning then you come in the room and dance with me.
‘More than anything, you’ve grown as a person and this for me is the most rewarding thing that I could ask for, so well done to you. Well done.’