Celebrities praise Jesy Nelson for revealing suicide attempt in ‘inspiring’ documentary

'Jesy Nelson is a brave beautiful women'

Olivia Petter
Friday 13 September 2019 18:35 BST
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Celebrities have spoken out in support of Jesy Nelson after the Little Mix singer fronted a documentary in which she revealed that online abuse led her to attempt suicide.

In Odd One Out, which aired on BBC One on Thursday, Nelson recalls being targeted by trolls on social media who criticised her appearance and told her to “kill [herself]”.

The documentary has prompted an outpouring of support for the musician from actors, politicians, reality TV stars and fans.

Former Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby tweeted: “Jesy Nelson is a brave beautiful women. But sadly she’s not the only one who falls victim to the abuse from troll accounts with no identities. This has gone on for too long now. SORT IT OUT SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD.”

Fellow Geordie Shore alumnae Holly Hagan concurred that social media firms have a responsibility to take measures to tackle online bullying.

“I’ve said it before and I say it again. We NEED a verification system on social media where people HAVE to use their own identities,” Hagan tweeted.

“This will stop children who are too young being on social media and also stop fake accounts @Twitter make this happen you have a responsibility.”

Meanwhile, Lisa Nandy, Labour MP for Wigan, described Nelson as an “incredible role model”.

“Online bullies and the companies that enable them must be held to account,” she added. “And we should all be much, much kinder #OddOneOut.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton praised Nelson as an “absolute star” and said he related to a lot of what she’d said in the documentary.

“All media/press and trolls who have unkind agendas should watch and please consider how your behaviour can affect people,” he added.

In an interview with the Guardian ahead of the documentary’s air date, Nelson explained it wasn’t until she deleted Twitter that she began to feel “normal” again.

While she still has bad days, the singer explained she has found ways to manage it.

“Instead of beating myself up about it and being miserable, I think, ‘OK, I’m going to have my moment of being sad, and I’ll be over it’. Before, I didn’t let myself be sad.”

You can contact the Samaritans by calling them for free from any phone for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.

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