The documentary featuring Jesy Nelson is incredibly revealing, and that’s precisely what makes it impactful.
When Jesy Nelson invited filmmakers into her home, she could not have anticipated that just two days later, she would find herself in a hospital for an urgent surgery. At that time, she was four months pregnant and faced with a critical condition known as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. This serious issue occurs when twins share a placenta but have uneven blood circulation, leading to significant health risks. The former member of Little Mix spent the following three months in the hospital until her babies were born prematurely. Tragically, they have since been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1, a genetic disorder that leads to muscle deterioration. Doctors have indicated that her twins are unlikely to ever walk.
In the inaugural episode of Amazon Prime's six-part series "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix," viewers witness intensely honest moments as the 34-year-old singer confronts a slew of heart-wrenching truths about her pregnancy. Simultaneously, she reflects on her time in one of the UK's most renowned girl groups, hinting at an upcoming revelation regarding the true reasons behind her departure from the band in 2020.
Born in Romford, east London, Jesy is the second youngest of four siblings, raised by parents who separated when she was just five years old. From an early age, she harbored dreams of entertaining others—whether through singing, dancing, or acting; she wasn’t quite sure yet. She simply wanted to bring joy to people’s lives. However, her journey began with challenges, including a disappointing first performance at stage school, followed by a pivotal audition for "The X Factor" in 2011, when she was 20. Judge Gary Barlow was not impressed, labeling her performance of "Bust Your Windows" by Jazmine Sullivan as “generic” and lacking uniqueness.
Reflecting on her reaction to Barlow's critique, Nelson acknowledges that it might have been an early indication that she was not entirely suited for the pressures of fame. Instead of embracing the supportive comments from fellow judges Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos, and Kelly Rowland, she retreated backstage in tears, overwhelmed while cameras surrounded her. Her distress deepened when Rowland suggested that she might thrive better in a group. Despite these setbacks, she managed to progress but was eliminated in the next round, only to be brought back alongside Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards, and Jade Thirlwall, who had also auditioned individually. This moment led to the formation of Little Mix right there on stage, a decision that would profoundly change their lives.
"I was so carefree and happy," Nelson recalls, struggling to hold back tears as she reminisces about her childhood self, who was enchanted by Missy Elliott. "The version of me before 'X Factor'... I’ll never get that back. And I cherished that version of myself. It was probably the most genuine and authentic Jesy that there ever was."
Nelson has already been the focus of a BBC documentary highlighting the bullying she endured during her time with Little Mix. Despite achieving numerous hit songs and sold-out performances, she became fixated on negative online comments, often searching terms like "Jesy fat" or "Jesy ugly" to see what others were saying about her. "Everyone told me to ignore it," she explains, "but it felt like an addiction." The media relentlessly pursued her, publishing unflattering images alongside stories involving her estranged father's criminal history.
Although the first episode of "Life After Little Mix" revisits some of this familiar narrative, it does so in a way that reveals the warm and humorous personality that Nelson has embraced as she seemingly moves away from the toxicity of the online world. There are genuinely funny instances where she humorously frets over her grey hairs—"I started getting them when I was 25!"—questions whether her baby bump is noticeable (it is), and shares joyful moments with her former fiancé and father of her children, the kind-hearted musician Zion Foster. During the premiere of episode one, the audience erupted in laughter at the scene where her mother comments on the size of the singer's maternity underwear.
However, even the lighthearted moments in this episode are overshadowed by the real struggles she faces. Numerous scenes depict Nelson in a stark doctor’s office undergoing yet another ultrasound, accompanied by Foster and her supportive mother, Janice. In these intimate moments, Nelson is strikingly authentic—there’s no pretense, and she openly displays her feelings of vulnerability. What stands out is her practical approach, which drives her quest for solutions, making it all the more heartbreaking when she realizes that some answers are simply out of reach.
While we have yet to uncover the "real reason" behind Nelson’s exit from Little Mix, the episode teases that this pivotal information will emerge in one of the subsequent episodes. When she stepped away in December 2020 (with Little Mix continuing as a trio until they entered an indefinite hiatus after their 2022 tour), Nelson cited the toll that being part of the group took on her mental well-being. "I’m ready now to share my side of the story," she declares in a teaser clip. This cliffhanger certainly piques interest, but one must wonder whether revisiting past grievances could undermine the heartfelt portrayal we see of her in this first episode. Nonetheless, "Life After Little Mix" presents a refreshingly honest look at a woman who is using her own challenging experiences to promote awareness and understanding for others.
You can catch "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix" on Amazon Prime starting Friday, February 13.
