Jesy Nelson thanks fans for ‘love and support’ in first statement since quitting Little Mix

Singer announced this week that pop stardom had taken its toll on her mental health

Jesy Nelson has made her first public statement since she announced her departure from Little Mix.

The pop star, who announced on Monday (14 December) that she was leaving the group, used Instagram to thank fans for supporting her decision.

“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone of you that has shown me so much love and support over the past few days [sic],” Nelson wrote on her Instagram Story today (17 December).

“Some of your messages have made me feel so emotional and I appreciate it so much,” she added. “Love you all.”

Nelson quit Little Mix on Monday, following weeks of speculation about her future with the group. On social media, Nelson explained that she had decided to leave the band due to the toll pop stardom had taken on her mental health.

“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 that process,” she wrote.

Nelson’s departure was met with an outpouring of support from fans and other music industry figures.

The rest of Little Mix, who had been performing without Nelson since she stepped back from public appearances in November, have pledged to continue as a trio.

Jesy Nelson’s Instagram Story (Instagram)

This week, One Direction’s Liam Payne was roped into the Little Mix news, after claiming that Nelson had “Zayn’d out” of the band, in reference to the departure of Zayn Malik from his own group.

Payne was defended by fans after some criticised his choice of words.