On Wednesday, Jessie said she made her diagnosis public to help her process the news, and to show solidarity with others who are going through a similar experience
Singer Jessie J appeared to drop a huge hint about her cancer diagnosis last month.The Price Tag star, 37, shocked fans this week by revealing she has early stage breast cancer and is holding on to the word “early” and plans to undergo surgery after her performance at this month’s Summertime Ball. The revelation made her words at her intimate North London concert on May 20 seem all the more poignant and significant.
On Wednesday, Jessie said she made her diagnosis public to help her process the news, and to show solidarity with others who are going through a similar experience. “I just wanted to be open and share it, ” she expressed. “One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.
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“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.” She continued: “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,” she concluded.
Just weeks earlier she told gig-goers at Union Chapel that she was putting herself first and wanted to have fun. Jessie said on stage: “I know we are all going through our own battles in life, we are all struggling in our own way. We talk about it sometimes, and sometimes we don’t.
“I’m grateful I have the voice and the strength to be able to put those experiences into songs that people can take and make them their own soundtrack to help them get through a tough time, a good time, a scary time.”
When she introduced her new single No Secrets, she also seemed to be referencing her cancer battle. Jessie said: “This song for me, more so than ever right now, is getting me through my life.”
Earlier this week, the former Voice UK coach told her 13.9 million Instagram followers: “Before No Secrets came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I’m highlighting the word ‘early’ – cancer sucks in any form – but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’. I have been in and out of tests this whole period.”
No Secrets details Jessie’s relationship with fame and her heartbreaking 2021 miscarriage, which she has since spoken openly about. Jessie, who is performing at Wembley Stadium next Sunday, told fans she would then “disappear for a bit” to have surgery.
But the singer said that despite her diagnosis, she still feels like she has found her “happy ending”. Jessie and basketball player Chanan Colman welcomed their first child, son Sky, in May 2023.
Talking about her song Sunflower, which is yet to be officially released, Jessie said: “I wrote this song about my boy – the happiest boy in the world unless he hasn’t had enough snacks. He is the love of my life, the joy of my day… I jump out of bed at 5am to make him something to eat and then wait for him to wake up.
“I never thought I would live this life… I prayed for it for so long. The joy it brings me is overwhelming. I hope anyone who has that same feeling in their heart gets their happy ending. It’s magic.
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