Jessie J, famed for Price Tag, Domino and other tunes, has been diagnosed with early breast cancer and plans to have surgery following her performance at this month’s Summertime Ball
Jessie J has received messages of support from celebrity friends – including Rochelle Humes – after announcing she has cancer.
The singer, 37, said she will have surgery after her performance at the Summertime Ball and remained optimistic she will return with more hits. However, she admitted she “needs a hug” through the difficult time, having been diagnosed with the breast cancer at an early stage.
Friends quickly shared messages of support, telling the songwriter how much they love her. Humes, who presents The Hit List with husband Marvin, said: “We love you so much.” Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock added: “Sending you so much love” amid the flurry of public messages.
And the rapper Wretch 32, whose real name is Jermaine Scott, said: “Continued strength and guidance, you’re loved and you’re cared for, you fight my gangster.”
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Jessie J, born and raised in Chadwell Heath, east London, said in an Instagram video yesterday she has spent much of her recent time “in and out of tests”. She stressed, though, she is “holding on to the word ‘early'” and is looking at surgery in the coming weeks.
But the musician, whose real name is Jessica Ellen Cornish, says she will still perform at the Capital’s Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on Sunday June 15. She is on the line-up alongside the likes of Mariah Carey, Benson Boone and Tate Mcrae.
Speaking in the Instagram clip, Jessie J said: “I just wanted to be open and share it… One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.
“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.
“The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time. But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”
The singer, who won the Critic’s Choice award at the Brits in 2011, welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021. She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.
Claire Taylor, chief nursing officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing moment for anybody and our thoughts are with Jessie and her family.
“Her openness in sharing her story will not only bring comfort to others who are facing a similar situation, it will also raise vital awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. We know that diagnosing cancer early can mean treatment is more likely to be effective and potentially less complex.”