'I NEED A HUG'
Jessie J, 37, reveals she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo surgery in days
Watch Jessie's touching video in our player
JESSIE J has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo surgery in days.
The 37-year-old, who shares a son with basketball player Chanan Colman, opened up about the sad news on her Instagram earlier today.
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In an emotional post she told fans: "I was diagnosed with early breast cancer."
She added: "Cancer sucks in any form, but I'm holding on to the word 'early''".
The singer said she would be undergoing surgery after performing at the Summertime Ball in London on June 15.
"It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job," she joked.
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She told fans she was hesitant going public about her diagnosis but that she decided to be "open" for multiple reasons.
She said: "One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough.
"I'm not processing it because I'm working so hard. 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."
The Grammy nominee, who also shared her ADHD and OCD diagnoses with fans earlier this year, added that she hoped to show solidarity with other cancer patients.
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She said: "It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse—that's the bit that kills me."
Referring to her latest tracks "No Secrets" and "Living my Best Life" she said "you can't make it up" - explaining she had no idea about her diagnosis at the time of recording.
Fans and fellow celebs jumped into the comments to share their support.
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TV and radio personality Gaby Roslin said: "Sending you so much love and enormous hugs".
One fan added: "Love you and your light! This won't dim you down".
While another said: "You are not alone. May your recovery be gentle, peaceful, and full of healing. Sending you a tight hug and all the love my heart can carry."
Her post read: "No (more) Secrets and is it too soon to do a remix called ‘Living my breast life’?
"All jokes aside (You know it’s one of the ways I get through hard times) This last 2 months have been so amazing,
"And having this go on along side it on the sideline’s has given me the most incredible perspective. BUT… Your girl needs a hug.
"Also not getting massive t*ts. Or am I? No no… I must stop joking."
Health struggles
This isn't the first time Jessie has opened up about her health struggles.
Last year, she opened up about her ADHD and OCD diagnoses, which she said were highlighted when she became a mum to her son Sky.
She previously said online: “Having a baby has, let’s say… exposed it a lot more which was comforting in a way, as it made it feel less heavy and scary.”
"But also in moments has made me feel like I can't talk about it. F*** that. Here I am talking about it."
On ADHD, she wrote: “I feel like it’s a superpower as long as you look at it from the right perspective and have the right people around you that can navigate it with you.”
"It's made me re think about my whole life," she said.
"The way I've been, the way I deal with things. The relationships I have had. How I work and how I love.
"It's empowered me and honestly sometimes has overwhelmed me all at the same time.
I have always been honest in the journey I'm going through in life.
Jessie J
"If there is one thing social media has given me, it's the chance to relate, connect and heal with strangers that have kind hearts and are going through a similar thing.
"I have always been honest in the journey I'm going through in life.
"And I know there are so many people that are going through this same thing and I'm honestly just reaching out to hold your hand and because I need mine held too."
On OCD, she reflected on cleaning her shoes with a toothbrush as a child and trying to rely on lists “to not feel like life will crumble”.
In 2021, the Grammy nominated singer also revealed she struggled with acid reflux.
Taking to social media she told fans: “I am doing a reflux acid test for 24 hours (why I have a tube up my nose). I am going to blame that as the reason why this [video] is so bad.”
This followed a string of other health complications in 2017, which she hinted at in an interview.
The singer told the : "In the two years that I did The Voice in Australia, I was diagnosed with some health issues that I’m not ready to talk about that I had to really face as a woman."
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Getting back into the studio
Her cancer revelation comes just months after the Sun revealed the singer was preparing to make her comeback after teaming up with Adele's favourite songwriting partner Ryan Tedder.
An insider said: “Jessie has recorded a string of new songs and has her fifth album ready to go.
“She’s been through some seismic changes in her life over the past couple of years, most notably becoming a mum, and it’s inspired her to get back into the studio.
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“Jessie spent time writing with Ryan, who wrote her song I Want Love, and they’ve come up with some amazing new tunes.
“It has been a long time coming but the timing had to be right.
“She didn’t want to keep churning out record after record, and wanted it to feel authentic and real.
“Jessie couldn’t be more excited to share what she has been working on with her fans and she will be announcing her first song in the spring.”
Jessie’s last album, R.O.S.E, was released in four parts in 2018 but failed to have the impact the ex-Voice UK coach had hoped for.
In 2023, she split from Republic Records after 17 years and told fans she was looking for a fresh start.
Becoming a mum to son Sky was also a driving force.
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She said at the time: “There’s no negative spin, nothing’s happened, it’s not dramatic.
“It’s just me literally saying, ‘This doesn’t feel right’ and it hasn’t for years.”
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