Little Mix stars Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have said they will continue as a trio following Jesy Nelson‘s emotional exit on Monday night.
The group released a statement on social media after Jesy, 29, announced that she had left the band after ‘constant pressure’ had ‘taken a toll on her mental health’.
Perrie, 27, Jade, 27, and Leigh-Anne, 29, admitted it was an ‘incredibly sad time’ for the band but they ‘fully support’ Jesy’s decision.
Little Mix also confirmed that they would be remaining as a trio, saying that they are ‘not ready for it to be over’.
Trio: Little Mix stars Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall (L-R) have said they will continue as a trio following Jesy Nelson’s emotional exit on Monday night (pictured in November)
They penned on both Instagram and Twitter: ‘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.’
They signed off their post with: ‘Love always, Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne xxx.’
Heartbreaking: The group released a statement on social media after Jesy, 29, announced that she had left the band after ‘constant pressure’ had ‘taken a toll on her mental health’ (pictured earlier this year)
Support: Perrie, 27, Jade, 27, and Leigh-Anne, 29, admitted it was an ‘incredibly sad time’ for the band but they ‘fully support’ Jesy’s decision
On Monday night, Jesy announced that she had made the emotional decision to leave the band after taking an ‘extended break’ in November.
Taking to Instagram, the singer revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’ and that being in the band had ‘taken a toll on her mental health’.
Jesy penned on Monday night: ‘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 feel 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: On Monday night, Jesy announced that she had made the emotional decision to leave the band after taking an ‘extended break’ in November
‘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.
‘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.
‘Very hard’: Jesy also emotionally said that being in the band had ‘taken a toll on her mental health’ and that she finds the ‘constant pressure very hard’ (pictured with bandmates Leigh-Anne, Perrie and Jade L-R in September)
‘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.’
Fans were left devastated over the news as they sent their best wishes to both Jesy and the band in emotional messages.
Time off: Last month, the band’s representative confirmed the singer, 29, would be taking an ‘extended break’ due to ‘private medical reasons’
While several celebrities, such as Dermot O’Leary and Frankie Bridge, reached out on the post to support Jesy as they praised the star for her ‘brave’ decision.
Jesy’s ex-boyfriend Chris Hughes also showed his support and he commented under her post with ‘the best’ along with a love heart emoji.
One person said: ‘I’m in tears rn… But I wish the best for jesy and the girls… No words can express the pain I’m feeling right now… I’m devastated.’
A different fan put: ‘Oh no Jess ❤️ we love you.’
Way back when: Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history (pictured)
Another follower commented: ‘We’ll miss her… Take care Jesy,’ followed by a broken heart emoji.
A different account put: ‘We’re gonna miss her so so much ❤️ I’m sending her so much love that she needs rn. Of course her mental health is the most important thing.’
Another user penned: ‘All the best to jesy!! we love u queen ❤️.’
While a different person added: ‘We love u and support u queen, thank u for these amazing 9 years❤️.’
Thoughtful: Chris Hughes has shown his support for ex-girlfriend Jesy after she revealed that she had left Little Mix after nine years with the group
Kind: The Love Island star simply commented on Jesy’s post saying ‘the best’ along with a love heart emoji
Sweet: Several celebrities, such as Dermot O’Leary and Frankie Bridge, reached out on the post to support Jesy as they praised the star for her ‘brave’ decision
Last month, Little Mix’s representative announced Jesy would be taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons.’
The singer missed the final of her BBC reality series with the band, Little Mix The Search, and also pulled out of hosting the MTV EMAs.
The Little Mix girls had been due to host and perform at the 27th edition of one of the biggest nights in global music – the 2020 MTV EMAs – on November 8.
A statement released to MailOnline read at the time: ‘Jesy is unwell and will not be appearing on tonight’s final of Little Mix The Search.
Fan support: Fans were left devastated over the news as they sent their best wishes to both Jesy and the band in emotional messages
‘She will also not be hosting or performing at tomorrow’s MTV EMA’s.’
Only recently, it was claimed 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.
Absence: Jesy missed the final of her BBC reality series with the band, Little Mix The Search, and also pulled out of hosting the MTV EMAs last month (her ex bandmates pictured at the event)
‘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.
Little Mix were crowned the winners of the X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history.
The girls shot to stardom with their first single Wings, before topping the charts with Black Magic and Shout Out To My Ex.
Switch: They were signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco until November 2018 when they switched to rival label RCA (pictured in 2018)
They recently released their sixth studio album, Confetti, which includes current hit Sweet Melody.
The band has since gone on to become one of the biggest ever girl group’s in the UK, scoring a collection of number one hits.
They were signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco until November 2018 when they switched to rival label RCA.
Little Mix are slated to head on tour in April next year with their new album Confetti, but it is currently unclear whether dates may be delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Since Jesy’s ‘extended break’, Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne have performed as a trio at the 2020 MTV EMAs, on Strictly Come Dancing and appeared on various TV shows.
Success: The band has since gone on to become one of the biggest ever girl group’s in the UK, scoring number one hits including Wings, Black Magic and Shout Out To My Ex (pictured in 2017)
Little Mix’s achievements
Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history.
The band has since gone on to become one of the biggest ever girl group’s in the UK, scoring number one hits including Wings, Black Magic and Shout Out To My Ex.
They were signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco until November 2018 when they switched to rival label RCA.
Little Mix won two BRIT Awards for their 2017 hit Shout Out to My Ex and their 2019 single Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj.
Winners! Little Mix won two BRIT Awards for their 2017 hit Shout Out to My Ex (pictured) and their 2019 single Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj
Other achievements include five Global Awards, six MTV Europe Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards.
The band had a total of six successful tours, they were due to be touring this year for their Summer 2020 Tour but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
Only recently, the band had great success with both their brand new album Confetti as well as their talent show Little Mix: The Search.
The album reached Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart while it peaked at Number 2 in the UK.
Little Mix are slated to head on tour in April next year with their new album Confetti, but it is currently unclear whether dates may be delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Amazing: Other achievements include five Global Awards, six MTV Europe Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards (pictured in 2017)