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Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson opens up about mental health struggles in new documentary

The film will examine how online abuse affected Nelson's emotional wellbeing

Wednesday 20 March 2019 10:58 GMT

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Jesy Nelson announces new documentary about mental health struggles

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson will share her struggles with mental health in a new BBC Three documentary.

Jesy Nelson: My Story will explore how social media trolling and body shaming comments she received online took an emotional and psychological toll on the the 27-year-old musician.

The documentary will also feature Nelson in conversation with young people who have been affected by mental health issues.

Speaking about the programme, the singer says: “This is a project really close to my heart and I’m delighted to be working with the BBC on a documentary that will both challenge me personally and also highlight a hugely important issue affecting young people today.”

Fiona Campbell, controller of BBC Three, explains that Nelson was an apt choice to front a documentary on mental health issues given her prominent profile in the media and the public eye.

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

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1/1111 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

During an interview in November 2016 on Australian breakfast radio show Fitzy and Wippa, Thirlwall and Edwards were asked out of the blue why Nelson had been spotted not wearing her engagement ring, having been proposed to by her partner Jake Roche a few months prior. 'That's brutal that,' Nelson responded, before grabbing the interviewer's paper of questions out of his hand and throwing it away. 'Next question, sir,' Edwards added.

YouTube/Fitzy and Wippa

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In September 2018, Nelson shared a photo on Little Mix's official Twitter account which showed her wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan: 'Women are more than muses.' 'Shout out to all the amazing women past and present who fight for the rights and freedom of women,' she wrote in the tweet alongside the photo.

Twitter/Little Mix

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In November 2018, Pinnock spoke to People magazine about the sisterhood she and her fellow Little Mix band members have created. 'Little Mix wouldn't work without one of us. If one of us left, it would be over,' she said. 'We're friends. If anything, we're past friendship. We're sisters.'

Getty Images

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In October 2016, Nelson shared a photo on Twitter of herself wearing a jumper dress with the slogan: 'Too provocative' written across the back, referencing the numerous times the pop group have been scrutinised for their on-stage outfits. Little Mix have responded to criticism over their 'sexy' outfits on multiple occasions, explaining that women should be able to wear what they want without fear of condemnation.

Twitter/Little Mix

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

While speaking with Billboard in November 2018, Thirlwall spoke about the taboo still associated with the term feminist, explaining that the band had recently discussed the issue with singer Alexandra Shungudzo Govere, who wrote their song 'Touch'. 'I think we did actually talk about how there’s a weird stigma attached to admitting you’re a feminist and saying you’re a feminist,' Thirlwall said. 'We never understood why, so we just put it in the song: 'Are you a feminist? Hell yeah!' There’s nothing wrong with that.'

Getty Images

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In November 2018, Little Mix released the music video for their empowering hit song 'Strip'. The video featured a number of inspirational women, including founder of charity CoppaFeel! Kristin Hallenga and body positivity influencer Megan Jayne Crabbe. The video also included a photo from a nude shoot the band took part in, during which they had insulting comments they've received in the past written across their bodies.

YouTube/Little Mix

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In October 2018, Pinnock shared a photo of herself on Little Mix's official Twitter account, alongside a caption discussing the way in which women are often judged based on their appearances. 'People can sometimes be quick to judge women at face value and what they see on the outside,' she wrote. 'If everyone took the time to look a little deeper I think the world would be a better place.'

Twitter/Little Mix

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In March 2018, Little Mix won the accolade for 'Best British Artist or Group' at the Global Awards. During their acceptance speech, Thirlwall spoke to the audience about the scrutiny the band often find themselves under on account of their appearances or the way they dress. 'As a girl band, and as women, we do face a lot of scrutiny all the time, whether it's for the way we look, how much thigh we get out, how we dance, what we sing about,' she said. 'And we just want to say that, although one day we hope that does stop, right now we're really not arsed what people think.'

YouTube/Capital FM

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

During a November 2018 interview with Attitude magazine, Edwards touched upon the sexism that remains rife within the music industry. 'When women have a voice, some people think that opinion is invalid,' she said.

Getty Images

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

In September 2018, Thirlwall shared a message on Twitter about body positivity, inspired by the work of actor and activist Jameela Jamil. She explained how during previous photo shoots, photos of her had been digitally altered to make her facial features look different and her skin look lighter. 'In one of our first magazine shoots we did, my nose was completely changed and my skin was whitened,' Thirlwall wrote. 'At 18, it gave me a complex and an insecurity I'd never had before and for years I was determined to get a nose job.' She continued, explaining that we are 'all unique and beautiful in our own way'.

Twitter/Little Mix

11 of Little Mix's top feminist moments

The members of Little Mix have all spoken out about body insecurities among women on multiple occasions, such as when Edwards wrote on social media about accepting her freckles. In August 2018, Pinnock shared a post on Twitter about encouraging young black girls to embrace their natural hair, and not be made to feel as though it's not beautiful.

Twitter/Little Mix

“As a young female in a successful girl band where intense scrutiny from the public is the norm, Jesy offers a unique perspective on the impact social media can have on an individual and their mental health,” she comments.

“It promises to be an eye-opening watch, full of universal themes which will no doubt resonate with our audience.”

While it’s not yet been announced exactly what mental health issues Nelson will explore in the documentary, she has spoken out about the kind of abuse she’s suffered online in the past, most of which has focused on her appearance.

In October, Nelson went on ITV’s Lorraine and recalled receiving comments like “oh she’s so ugly” and “she’s fat” in the early days of her career.

“What I used to think about myself completely changed,” she said. “Like I became so insecure. I believed everything everyone said.”

But the singer added that in recent years she – and her bandmates – have found ways to manage the cruel comments they receive online.

“I don’t know where the turning point was, but we’ve all just learnt not to care anymore.”

Last week, Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock also shared her struggles in light of negative comments she's received online.

Speaking to Glamour, the singer recalled uncovering racist remarks on Twitter after searching for her own name on the platform.

"Honestly, I regret doing that so much, but I'm here now and I'm so much stronger. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to be someone like 'she got through that' and honestly, I'm so proud of who I am."

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