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Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has announced she’s quit the girlband after almost 10 years.
She’s revealed that the pressure being in the group has affected her “mental health” in an emotional statement to fans.
The 29-year-old shared the news of her shock departure on her Instagram page on Monday after announcing she was taking extended time off from the group just last month.
She wrote to her 7.3 million followers that she was leaving with a “heavy heart” as she reflected on the success Little Mix have enjoyed since winning The X Factor back in 2011.
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 al over the world I cant thank you all enough form 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 every forget it.”
She went on to reveal the reason behind the decision to quit the band.
Jesy added: “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 t 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 the process.
“I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing thing 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.
“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’l neve forget. I hope that you’ll continue to fufill all of your dreams and keep making music that people love. Love Jesy.”
In a separate statement published by Little Mix, the remaining three members, Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne reacted to their bandmate’s words.
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.”
The girl band, who found fame on The X Factor, added: “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.”
The members of Little Mix became household names in 2011 when they were put together on The X Factor, before going on to make history as the first group to win the show.
Since then the ever-popular foursome have gone on to become one of the biggest selling girlband’s in UK history.
While their 2020 tour had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Little Mix have continued to work tirelessly over the last 11 months with the release of their sixth studio album Confetti along with four singles and accompanying music vidoes.
As well as recording new material, the band also began filming their own reality TV music series The Search, which began airing on BBC One in September.
But concern started growing for Jesy after she missed several appearances with her bandmates in recent months.
She then stunned fans when she announced a break from her pop career on November 17.
A spokesperson for the group confirmed her temporary departure in a statement at the time.
They shared: “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.”
Jesy was pictured for the first time since announcing her hiatus just last week, ahead of her bombshell quitting statement today.