Tearful Jesy Nelson recalls panic attack and hospital stay that led to her exit from Little Mix

Jesy Nelson broke down in tears as she recalled the crippling panic attack and subsequent hospital stay that led to her exit from Little Mix in December last year.

In an interview with The Guardian on Saturday, the singer – who is about to launch her solo career – became tearful as she spoke about the panic attack that occurred just before the pop group performed on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge in October.

The 30-year-old ‘got back in a really dark place and ended up back in hospital’ following the performance and the filming of the music video Sweet Melody.

Jesy told the publication that she was the ‘happiest’ she’d ever been while in lockdown, isolating with her best pal and eating ‘whatever’ she wanted.

However her panic returned when she was told she would have to wear a bikini for Little Mix’s music video for their single Sweet Melody, two weeks later in October.

Jesy admitted: ‘I got in such a state about having to lose weight in two weeks and wear a bikini. I went back to work and was really down about myself.’

Later that month, the group appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, where bandmate Perrie Edwards had to take over her part due to a crippling panic attack.

Final straw: Little Mix appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge in October last year (pictured), where bandmate Perrie Edwards had to take over her part due to a crippling panic attack. Jesy told The Guardian that it was the final straw that made her realise it was time to quit

Emotional: ‘I did the music video and had a panic attack, and it was pretty mental that day. God, I haven’t really spoken about it and I’m getting upset. Sorry,’ a tearful Jesy said 

Jesy said it was the final straw that made her realise, as well as her bandmates, that it was time for her to leave the group.

‘I did the music video and had a panic attack, and it was pretty mental that day. God, I haven’t really spoken about it and I’m getting upset. Sorry,’ a tearful Jesy said.

‘After the video I just got back in a really dark place and ended up back in hospital. That was when my mum said, “No more”,’ she continued, adding how the group supported the decision, telling her mum she ‘has to look after herself’.  

Elsewhere in the interview, Jesy recalled having to deal with endless social media hate, particularly to do with commenting about her weight and appearance.

Self-care: ‘After [filming] the video (Sweet Melody) I just got back in a really dark place and ended up back in hospital. That was when my mum said, “No more”,’ she continued, adding how the group supported the decision, telling her mum she ‘has to look after herself’

The trolling led to her embarking on unhealthy diets that saw her at times only consuming a packet of ham each day, or drinking just Diet Coke alone all week.

Jesy described herself as a confident person prior to appearing on the 2011 season of The X Factor, and said producers should have ensured a therapist was on set.

She also revealed she hasn’t been in touch ‘as much’ with her bandmates Perrie, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall since leaving the group.

Jesy has reportedly made it her mission to crack the music industry in the US with her hotly-anticipated solo career.

Trolls and extreme dieting: Elsewhere in the interview, Jesy recalled having to deal with endless social media hate, particularly to do with commenting about her weight and appearance. At times she would consume a packet of ham each day, or drinking just Diet Coke

According to The Sun insiders, the brunette has apparently been in talks to perform at the MTV VMA’s in New York next month. 

The event, if she does perform, will push her into the mainstream in the States, as she’s reportedly set to perform with Nicki Minaj for their new single together, Boyz. 

An insider has said: ‘The MTV VMAs is one of the biggest nights in music, watched by millions around the world, so everyone is working hard to get Jesy a performance slot.’   

‘Her label thinks the single will appeal to people in the US as it samples Bad Boy For Life by P Diddy and features Nicki, so putting her in front of those audiences will give her career there a huge boost.’ 

Stateside: Jesy has reportedly made it her mission to crack the music industry in the US with her hotly-anticipated solo career. According to The Sun insiders, the brunette has apparently been in talks to perform at the MTV VMA’s in New York next month. Pictured in 2019

MailOnline have contacted Jesy’s representatives for further comment.  

The new song is set to be released next month and shooting for the big budget music video is already underway.  

Earlier this week, Jesy sizzled in a photo shared to Instagram that saw her don a skimpy Union Jack bikini as she posed with various hunks for the new single.  

Hot: Earlier this week, Jesy sizzled in a photo shared to Instagram that saw her don a skimpy Union Jack bikini as she posed with various hunks for the new single

A prior post on her page sparked mystery as it was a video which simply read: ‘For me this is the music I’ve always wanted to make. I don’t think anyone is gonna expect this. This is a new chapter for me.’    

The star left Little Mix in December 2020 after nine years, saying her participation in the group had taken a toll on her mental health.

As a foursome, they recorded six UK top 10 albums and four number one singles. 

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie for mental health support.    

Just the three of us: Pictured are Jesy’s former Little Mix bandmates from left to right: Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards in May