Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock has opened up on her friendship with former bandmate Jesy Nelson and her twins’ devastating diagnosis
Former Little Mix singer, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, has broken her silence on co-star Jesy Nelson and her twins’ heartbreaking SMA diagnosis. The star, who is now working on her solo career, opened up in an interview with Australian radio DJ Smallzy.
He asked about Jesy Nelson’s recent documentary, Life After Little Mix, and how Jesy had said the Little Mix girls have reached out and offered support. Leigh-Anne, 34, said: “Heartbreaking, just awful. We all obviously did reach out to her, it’s the worst thing ever. I think she’s really incredible for spreading the awareness.”
When asked if the former bandmates still have a ‘sisterhood’ since going their separate ways, Leigh-Anne said: “I think that’s the special thing about us, we will always be there if we need each other for sure. I think, especially for me, Jade and Perrie, we’re super, super close and I think you need that in this industry too.”
READ MORE: Jesy Nelson shares adorable video of baby daughter giggling amid heartbreaking health ordealREAD MORE: Where are Little Mix now after Jesy Nelson drops band bombshell
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Leigh-Anne continued: “There’s just so much toxicity that can come with it and there’s just so much pressure as well so knowing that you can just reach out to people that are going through it too, we’re the only ones that know exactly what this experience is like. It’s so needed.”
Fans of the iconic group were left heartbroken when Jesy announced she was quitting the band in 2020, citing mental health reasons. She left her bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall to continue carrying the torch, but they soon went on a hiatus in 2022.
In January this year, Jesy shared the heartbreaking news that her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were diagnosed with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA is a genetic condition that affects the motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy).
Sharing the news in an emotional Instagram video, Jesy said: “A few months ago my mum noticed that the girls were not showing as much movement in their legs as they should be. It wasn’t really a concern to me at the time because from the minute I left NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), I was told ‘your babies are premature, so do not compare your babies to other babies. They won’t reach the same milestones, take them as they are and they will get where they need to be when they do'”.
She went on to discuss the diagnosis and said: “If it’s not treated in time, your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.”
Since the diagnosis, Jesy has been campaigning for SMA to be included in the UK newborn heel-prick screening test, which checks for multiple serious conditions. Detecting SMA before symptoms appear can be life-changing, preserving muscle function and giving children the best chance of a normal or near-normal life.
As part of her campaign, she also met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss the lack of awareness surrounding SMA.
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