JADE’s “boot camp” experience in Little Mix has influenced her solo material.
The 32-year-old singer – who has dropped her surname Thirlwall for her career away from the girl group – will release her debut solo album That’s Showbiz Baby in September and admits that her time with the Black Magic hitmakers has shaped her individual work.
Speaking to NME at the Glastonbury Festival, JADE said: “Being in a girl band is the ultimate boot camp on how to survive the music industry. First off, you’re a woman, and then you’re in a girl band, and it’s always hard to prove to people that you’re a credible artist and that you’re worthy of appreciation.
“When we first started in like 2011 – especially coming from a show like The X Factor – we were constantly proving to people why we deserve a seat at the table and why we deserve longevity.
“Being in Little Mix really was the ultimate test of enduring that. Time and time again, we reinvented ourselves and to be in a girl band that lasts for over 10 years is pretty remarkable. You don’t hear of that often.”
She continued: “I’m so proud of that part of my life, and going into my solo music, it was like, ‘OK, now I get to write just purely about my own experiences’, because in a girl band the topics have to be a bit more universal. On my own though, it was important for me to express myself.
“It’s not a case of, ‘(Little Mix) was the old me, and this is me finally being who I am’, because I love Little Mix and I love what we stood for! It’s not about (that era) being dead and gone. That was the past and I loved it, but now this is the new chapter.”
JADE performed on the Woodsies stage at Worthy Farm on Saturday (28.06.25) and confessed that she was grateful for a “pep talk” by Spice Girl Melanie C as she grappled with nerves before her performance – which was introduced by former Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa.
The Angel of My Dreams singer said: “I was so nervous beforehand and I was backstage nearly about to cry because I was so overwhelmed, but then Mel C came running over to say it was going to be amazing and that I’ve got this!
“She gave me a little pep talk, and then my friend Ncuti (Gatwa) bumped into me and offered to do the intro for me.
“He introduced me on stage and helped me feel really ready and good about myself… but I still feel like nothing prepares you for the adrenaline of the Glastonbury crowd, because they really are like something else.”