Jade Thirlwall Launches Solo Career with Dramatic Pop Single ‘Angel of My Dreams’ After Little Mix Break, One of the World’s Most Successful Girl Groups
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 5:03AM GMT Fri, 19July, 2024
Fans of Jade Thirlwall have long been waiting for the former Little Mix star to release her solo music. The anticipation has been building since Little Mix announced a break following their 2022 tour. Now, Jade Thirlwall’s debut single, “Angel of My Dreams,” has finally arrived, marking a significant milestone in her career. In an exclusive interview with BBC Newsbeat, Jade reveals, “I’m ready to give some pop girlie drama.”
Jade has been meticulously crafting her solo project for over two and a half years. “I needed that time to evolve as my own artist outside of Little Mix,” she explains. Little Mix, formed during the 2011 season of The X Factor, included Jade, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson until her departure in 2020. Reflecting on her journey, Jade shares the pivotal moment when judge Kelly Rowland suggested she join a girl group instead of pursuing a solo career.
“When Kelly said that, my heart sank. I envisioned girl groups like The Pussycat Dolls, who were incredibly sexy. I was just this nerdy girl with braces and a bow tie,” Jade recalls. Despite her initial hesitation and the challenges, she faced, including being bullied in school, Jade found her place in Little Mix. “I wasn’t ready to be a solo artist back then. I needed the support of my bandmates to navigate the harsh music industry.”
In “Angel of My Dreams,” Jade does not shy away from addressing the music industry’s darker aspects. “You only care about money,” she sings, highlighting the pressures and exploitation artists often face. The song also features a sample of Sandie Shaw’s “Puppet on a String,” the UK’s first Eurovision winning entry in 1967. Jade uses this reference to reflect on her experience in a reality TV-forged girl group.
“Using that sample is a nod to what the industry said about us as a band. We worked hard, wrote our music, and had a clear vision, but we were often labeled as manufactured puppets,” Jade explains. Little Mix’s success, with billions of streams and three Brit Awards, stands testament to their resilience and talent.
Now, stepping into her solo career, Jade feels liberated and confident. “I haven’t felt the pressure of being the last to go solo. If anything, waiting has allowed me to develop my artistry fully. With ‘Angel of My Dreams,’ I wanted to surprise people and push myself creatively,” she says.
Fans can expect the unexpected from Jade as she prepares to launch her album. “This is just the beginning. It’s the perfect song to introduce everyone to the Jade world,” she teases.
Jade Thirlwall’s solo debut is not just a musical release; it’s a statement of her individual artistry and resilience. As she steps into the spotlight, fans worldwide eagerly await the pop drama she promises to deliver.
