Jesy Nelson’s secret air of separation in last Little Mix appearance before exit

Jesy Nelson had a "desire to hide" before announcing she was quitting Little Mix, an expert says.

The stunning singer, 29, announced last night that she was leaving the band nine years after they made history by winning the X Factor together.

Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock will now carry on as a three-piece, saying they're not ready to say goodbye to the band just yet.

Jesy had announced on November 17 that she was taking an extended break from the group, missing the live final of their BBC show The Search and various other work commitments.

Now that she's explained her reasons behind quitting the band, saying it has taken a toll on her mental health, author and body language expert Judi James examined the star's last appearances, exclusively sharing her expert opinion with The Mirror.

First, she looked at a now-deleted video of the band talking about the release of their sixth album Confetti, which will be their last one as a four piece.

After seeing the video, fans said they felt Jesy looked "over it" as she stood silently, gazing off into the distance while her bandmates excitedly talked about their new record.

Judi said: "Poor Jesy looks like the one at the party who is waiting for the Uber to arrive while the others insist on having noisy, attention-seeking fun.

"Her head is tilted back here and the way her eyes are part-closed suggest she’s tired, possibly emotionally as well as physically. As the others clatter about and scream she widens and then narrows her eyes again and her head tilts away from them, which adds to the air of separation.

"It’s clear she’s still keen to put on a polite show to the rest of the girls as it’s when she turns to them that she forces what looks like a ‘mirthless smile’, which never really reaches her eyes.

"Jesy’s eye-dart and downward cut-offs could suggest she’s keen to get away here and the kiss she blows at the end looks unconvincing. For the millions of fans who love Jesy, signals like this could only add to desire for her to put herself and her health first, even if that did mean taking the break she is on now."

Judi also shared her thoughts on the pictures of Jesy taken as she was seen for the first time since announcing she was taking a break from the band.

Jesy was seen on Monday, December 7 for the first time after announcing her break from the band on November 17.

She was pictured running some errands in Essex and heading to her car.

Jesy wore lace-up boots and high-waisted camouflage trousers with a black crop top and an oversized jacket on top.

Her hair hung loose in gorgeous curls but she looked a little downcast as she carried a shoebox under her arm.

Judi said: "Jesy might look amazing here and the hand-in-the hair gesture might look like a preen from other celebs when there is a camera around, but the way she keeps her eye-gaze away from the camera suggests the hand movement is a cut-off signal that suggests a desire to hide.

"There are none of the celebrity grins or posing from Jesy here, suggesting that her privacy is deeply important to her. Her camouflage, battle-style outfit looks telling, too. It’s a hint she might want to hide for a while she fights her way back to full fitness."

Jesy announced on Instagram last night that she was leaving the band, thanking her fans and bandmates for giving her the "most incredible time" of her life.

She said that while she's loved being in the group and all they've achieved together, it has taken a toll on her mental health.

She said: "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 focussing 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."

Jade, Leigh-Anne and Perrie said in their own statement: "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.

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