Jade Thirlwall hasn’t held back in sharing her tough journey with body image, describing it as a “daily battle” in the face of ongoing temptations to use Ozempic, a medication she fears could worsen her battle with eating disorders.
The former member of Little Mix, now 32, feels she’s at her healthiest, yet negative comments about her weight on social media still ignite harmful thoughts. “I face a daily struggle not to turn to Ozempic. I completely understand those who do, but with my history of eating issues, I’m uncertain of where that path might take me,” she explained.
Since branching out as a solo artist, Thirlwall, who first garnered fame through The X Factor in 2011, has felt an uptick in trolling. “Little Mix fans celebrated body positivity, embracing every shape; now in my 30s and at my healthiest, I find comments predicting ‘she must be pregnant’ on every picture I post,” she shared with the Guardian.
Her issues began in her teens after her grandfather’s passing, tragically linked to the onset of anorexia. Right before auditioning for The X Factor, she was just released from the hospital, a fact she feels signifies how unprepared she really was.
Despite these hurdles, she went on to achieve worldwide fame alongside Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson. Their group made history as the first girl band to snag the Brit Award for Best British Group.
Reflecting on her past, Thirlwall acknowledges that fame brought its own burden, noting how strikingly thin she appeared in old photos. “When life feels uncontrollable, I’ve resorted to controlling food intake in harmful ways,” she confided.
Looking forward, Thirlwall is excited to release her debut solo album, That’s Showbiz Baby, and has plans to headline for Chappell Roan at the Royal Highlands Showgrounds in Edinburgh.
