JADE: Everything you need to know about the singer 💕
She's the Angel of our Dreams!
Jade Thirlwall may have found her fame as one-third of one of the biggest girl groups in the world - Little Mix, of course - but she is truly making her mark as a solo artist. She's already released several songs including her debut single 'Angel Of My Dreams' and a debut solo album along with a deluxe version.
We've been absolutely loving her tracks 'Midnight Cowboy', 'Fantasy', 'IT Girl', 'FUFN', 'Plastic Box', 'Unconditional' and latest single 'Church'. Following her first ever solo BRIT Award win in 2025 - read more about what the South Shields-born singer is up to...
Hits Radio Live Birmingham 2025
JADE wowed the audience at Hits Radio Live Birmingham on Friday 21st November. She performed some of her biggest solo hits, 'FUFN', 'Plastic Box', 'Fantasy' and 'Angel Of My Dreams' in front of a massive 13,000 fans.
Jade's debut solo album
On 14th May 2025, Jade revealed details of her debut solo album, she confirmed the album would be released on 12th September, and is called 'That's Showbiz Baby!'. The album was accompanied by a tour which took place in October 2025.
In December, JADE released a deluxe version of the album, which featured eight additional songs called 'Church', 'This is What We Dance For', 'Dreamcheater', 'Best You Could', 'Use Me', 'Frozen' (Madonna cover), 'If My Heart Was A House' and 'Tar'.
The first song to be released from the deluxe version was 'Church' on 5th December.
Where is Jade Thirlwall from?
As you can maybe tell from Jade's accent, she's a Geordie lass! Jade is from Laygate in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. She opened up a cocktail bar called Red Door in South Shields in October 2019 and often visits the bar when she's in her hometown.
South Tyneside Council announced in October 2025 that JADE would be receiving the Freedom of the Borough, with council leader Tracey Dixon saying she "could not be more deserving of the marvellous tribute."
She was apparently nominated due to "her outstanding contribution as a cultural ambassador and her ongoing commitment to South Tyneside," with councillor David Francis praising her for using her "platform to speak out and amplify the voices of the marginalised." She'll receive the award at a later date!
Fun fact: Jade and Perrie used to live a few miles away from each other, but never met before The X Factor! Jade is one-quarter Egyptian and one-quarter Yemeni.
When's her birthday?
Jade's birthday is Boxing Day! She was born on 26th December 1992, making her currently 32-years-old. As the singer usually goes back to her hometown of South Shields over the Christmas break, Jade has made it a tradition to take part in the annual Boxing Day Dip in the freezing cold North Sea, raising money for Cancer Connections in the process.
How tall is she?
Jade is 5ft 3in.
Jade Thirlwall: The X Factor
Jade entered The X Factor three times, all three times as a solo artist. The first time was for series 5 in 2008, the second was series 7 in 2010 and the third was season 8 in 2011, which was when Simon Cowell was not on the judging panel.
Having originally formed a group with Leigh-Anne called Orion, they were put together with Perrie and Jesy's group Faux Pas. Mentored by Tulisa, the girls were the first group to ever win The X Factor, and are also one of the most successful acts to come out of the show.
Check out Jade Thirlwall's impressive career so far:
2008 - Jade's first audition on The X Factor
Jade first auditioned on The X Factor back in 2008 at the age of just 15. Singing Whitney Houston's song 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', the Geordie girl impressed Louis Walsh, Cheryl Tweedy and Simon Cowell enough to be sent through to the bootcamp stage, but unfortunately she didn't progress any further.
2010 - Jade auditioned on The X Factor for a second time
Undeterred, Jade auditioned on The X Factor again, but once again it wasn't to be. Matt Cardle won the competition that year, with One Direction being runners up.
2011 - Jade won The X Factor as part of Little Mix
It was third time lucky for Jade as she won The X Factor as part of Little Mix. It wasn't an easy ride though as she failed the first bootcamp challenge to get through to the girls category. Luckily for Jade, she was brought back as part of a three-piece group along with Leigh-Anne Pinnock, with Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson in another group. Despite both groups being eliminated from the competition, it was decided that the four girls would be brought back as a group, who went on to win the competition. And as they say, the rest is history.
2017 - Little Mix win their first BRIT Award
'Shout Out to My Ex' won the girls their first BRIT Award. The award was for British Single of the Year and reached Number 1 in the UK, it was co-written by Jade along with the rest of the group and a team of songwriters.
2019 - Little Mix win another BRIT Awards
Despite not winning British Group, Little Mix took home the BRIT Award for British Video of the Year, for their single 'Woman Like Me' featuring Nicki Minaj. This was also the year when it was revealed that Jade had been signed to Sony/ATV via joint venture TwentySeven, as a published songwriter along with Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
2019 - Jade Thirlwall appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race UK
The singer appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, in the episode Girl Group Battle Royale.
2019 - Jade opened a nightclub
Jade Thirlwall opened a cocktail bar in South Shields called Red Door. In 2020, the name was changed to Arbeia, and that year she also opened a nightclub called Industry next door to her cocktail bar, as well as collaborating with clothing brand Skinnydip London.
2019 - Jade Thirlwall climbed Mount Kilimanjaro
2019 was a busy year for Jade. The singer, along with her Little Mix bandmate Leigh-Anne, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day.
2021 - Little Mix get their own waxworks
To mark the band's 10th anniversary, Madame Tussauds unveiled waxworks of Little Mix, including former member Jesy Nelson.
Working with Ellesse, Jade also became the new face of the Italian sportswear brand, as well as launching her own Autumn/Winter collection.
In 2021, the singer also launched her own eyeshadow palette with Beauty Bay. The palette was inspired by Jade's love for crystals, spirituality and astrology.
2021 - Jade appeared on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off
Appearing on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off for charity, Jade was crowned the winner of her episode. The singer wowed Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with her recreation of one of the group's concerts in front of thousands of biscuit fans.
Jade also won the Allyship award at the Gay Times Honours.
2022 - Little Mix announce their hiatus
Following the departure of Jesy Nelson, Little Mix announced that they were taking a break from the group after they'd finished their 'Confetti Tour', which took place in 2022. They wrote: 'We are not splitting up - Little Mix are here to stay 💫 We have plans for more music, tours and performances in the future. We've made so many incredible memories with you all, and we can't wait to make so many more.'
2023 - Jade teases work on solo music
Following the announcement that Jade had signed a solo deal with RCA Records in March 2022, she stayed pretty quiet on the solo music front. That was, however, until November 2023, when she shared an Instagram post showing her behind the mic. The post included an image of Jade wearing headphones in front of a recording microphone, hinting to fans that she has been working away on her solo music.
2024 - Jade posts more solo music teases
Jade got her fans whipped into a frenzy once again in May 2024, sharing a series of photos on the grid - including one of herself in a recording studio with some chunky headphones on alongside the caption: 'I'm working laaaaate cos I'm a singer,' quoting the smash hit 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter. Many fans took to the comments to share their excitement - including former bandmate and BFF Leigh-Anne, who wrote: 'Drop the album already.'
2024 - 'Angel Of My Dreams' is released
Jade released her incredible tune 'Angel Of My Dreams' on Friday 19th July 2024, with a first official play on-air the previous evening. The sensational video came out on the Friday, with Jade using it to show her "love/hate relationship with the music industry". Fans were utterly obsessed from the get-go, with many flooding the comments section of her YouTube premiere with words of praise and encouragement. It's safe to say it's a hit!
2024 - Jade gifts fans with 'Midnight Cowboy'
On 22nd September, Jade teased that she was set to release another bop - featuring a very familiar voice! The singer shared a teaser video for 'Midnight Cowboy', not only featuring a snippet of the new song, but also Ncuti Gawta, who fans know from his starring roles in titles such as Sex Education, Doctor Who and Barbie. Shortly after the teaser clip was shared, Jade wrote: 'I didn't want you all to have to wait so long for music again 💙MIDNIGHT COWBOY💙 is a gift from me to you until my next single drops 🌟'. (sic)
With her also adding: 'oh and there's a visualiser out at 10am BST too ⛲️' (sic), it was then on 25th September that fans were gifted with the full track, along with the visualiser video on YouTube. As well as reportedly working with RAYE on writing the song, Ncuti's voice can be heard in the opening of the track.
2025 - Jade releases 'IT Girl'
Jade released her first single of the year on Friday 10th January. It is another banger called 'IT Girl', and Jade described it as the "little sister" of 'Angel of My Dreams'.
2025 - Wins her first solo BRIT Award
In January 2025, it was revealed Jade was up for two awards at the BRIT Awards 2025 with Mastercard. Her debut single 'Angel Of My Dreams' was nominated for Song of the Year, while Jade herself was up for Pop Act! At the event on 1st March, Jade was announced as the winner of Pop Act, beating tough competition from Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Lola Young and Myles Smith. While Song of the Year went to Charli XCX for 'Guess' featuring Billie Eilish.
At the event, Jade also put on a memorable performance of her debut solo 'Angel Of My Dreams'.
2025 - Jade releases 'FUFN'
Released on 14th March 2025, Jade's song 'FUFN' is all about channelling female rage. She told us in an interview: "I think for me this one is my sort of 'all guns blazing', big pop moment. 'FUFN' is about like channelling female rage and just letting someone have it. You know when you're in an argument and you feel like it's the worst thing ever in the moment? Hoping that the next day it will all blow over, it will be fine. Which I think is very relatable."
2025 - Jade performs at Glastonbury
In March 2025, Jade was announced as part of the upcoming Glastonbury Festival line-up. She performed on Saturday 28th on the Woodsies Stage, on the same day as Charli XCX, RAYE and Neil Young.
2025 - Jade released debut solo album
Jade released her debut solo album 'That's Showbiz Baby!' on 12th September 2025 ahead of her solo tour. The album features 14 songs including her amazing debut solo hit 'Angel of My Dreams'. Then on 5th December she released 'That's Showbiz Baby! The Encore', which feature an additional eight songs.
2025: Jade went on her UK and Ireland tour
Following the release of her debut album, JADE went on her UK and Ireland tour. The tour started in Dublin on 7th October, before she travelled across the UK, ending in Newcastle on 23rd October.
2025: Awarded the Freedom of the Borough
It was announced in October 2025 that JADE will receive the Freedom of the Borough from South Tyneside Council! Council leader Tracey Dixon said she "could not be more deserving of the marvellous tribute," adding that she was nominated due to "her outstanding contribution as a cultural ambassador and her ongoing commitment to South Tyneside." Councillor David Francis praised how she'd used her "platform to speak out and amplify the voices of the marginalised." She'll receive the award at a future point.
2025: JADE received Harpers Bazaar Award
Fellow Geordie Cheryl presented JADE with her Musician of the Year Award, at the Harpers Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2025. Speaking about JADE, Cheryl said: "She and I have a lot in common: we're both from the north-east of England and we both grew up determined to follow our dreams of making it in the world of pop music.
"It takes a lot of courage to audition for a talent show, not least one that's going to be broadcast on national television, where people will be following your every move. It takes energy and passion to thrive as part of a chart-topping, record-smashing girl band. But it takes even more bravery to go it alone as a musician, and the singer I'm about to welcome on this stage has done exactly that."
2025: JADE performed at Hits Radio Live Birmingham
JADE joined the huge line-up at Hits Radio Live Birmingham on 21st November 2025. The singer performed her huge songs 'FUFN', 'Plastic Box', and 'Fantasy', ending with her debut solo hit 'Angel of My Dreams'.
How much is the singer worth?
According to heatworld's 2023 rich list, Jade was worth a whopping £19.8 MILLION at the age of 30. Cor!
Has Jade performed at Glastonbury?
Yes! On Saturday 28th June 2025 Jade took to the stage of the iconic Glastonbury Festival to perform on the Woodsies Stage. Also appearing that day were Charli XCX, RAYE and Neil Young.
Jade gave a spectacular performance including many of her solo songs, along with a Little Mix medley of 'Shout Out to My Ex' / 'Sweet Melody' / 'Woman Like Me' / 'Touch'.
JADE on tour
On the same day she announced details of her debut album, she announced she would be going on tour. Starting in Dublin on 8th October, Jade has now finished her 'That's Showbiz Baby!' tour in the UK.
Has she won a BRIT Award?
She sure has! Jade won her first solo BRIT at the 2025 awards, beating the likes of Charli XCX , Dua Lipa, Lola Young and Myles Smith to pick up the gong for Pop Act.
She was also nominated for Song of the Year, for 'Angel of My Dreams'. The singer shared a lovely message from her dad congratulating her when the nominations were first announced.
At the ceremony, Jade put on a memorable performance of her debut single. You can watch the video below:
Little Mix have also won three BRIT Awards as a band. In 2017 they won British Single of the Year for 'Show Out To My Ex', then in 2019 their second BRIT was British Video of the Year for 'Woman Like Me' featuring Nicki Minaj. The group's third award was for Best British Group in May 2021!
Ethnicity award
Jade won an Ethnicity award along with her Little Mix bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock in 2020. Upon receiving the award, she said: "It is important for us as two women of colour in the music industry to share our experiences in the hope of inspiring our young fans to be proud of who they are and to make a difference in this world.
"This year has taken us on an educational journey to put words into actions and use our voices to really take a stand. I am super proud of my sister Leigh and I’m so, so happy that we get to share this achievement together."
Who is JADE dating?
Reports surfaced in May 2020 that she was dating Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan Stephens, and at the end of June the pair seemingly went public with their romance.
After they started chatting during lockdown in March 2020, Jade and Jordan attended the Black Trans Lives Matter March arm-in-arm in London, with a cute snap of the then-new couple landing on social media.
They've gone from strength to strength in their relationship, regularly posting super cute snaps together and speaking about each other in interviews - Jade and Jordan are properly loved up!
Check out their relationship timeline right here.
Jade's fancy dress outfits
Jade Thirlwall isn't shy when it comes to an extravagant Halloween costume! After all, who can forget her iconic Marge Simpson outfit back in 2021?! Then in 2023, possibly her most entertaining to date, is the singer dressing up as none other than Mr. Bean.
Sharing a hilarious post to Instagram, showing off her Grade A impression of the iconic character, Jade wrote: 'Happy HallowBean 🫘'.
In October 2022, she gave us LIFE with her Halloween costume - again pairing with her boyfriend Jordan Stephenson, Jade dressed up in the best Princess Jasmine from Aladdin costume we've ever seen, with Jordan fully committing to his role as the Genie in blue body paint.
Is she on social media?
She sure is - find her on Instagram with the username jadethirlwall and on TikTok @jadethirlwall
Which TV shows has Jade Thirlwall been on?
RuPaul's Drag Race
Jade has been a guest judge on the UK series of RuPaul's Drag Race. Known to be a huge fan of the drag community and a big LGBTQ+ ally, Jade's friends include famous drag queens Courtney Act, Alaska and Willam, after they featured in Little Mix's music video for 'Power'. She even turned down a holiday with her boyfriend to go to the LA Drag Con.
Announcing the news on the show's official X account, the hit show posted a picture of Jade posing next to her Drag Race dressing room. They captioned the image, 'Opulence! She! Is! EVERYTHING!'
Revealing her excitement to be joining the show, Jade said, 'I love everything about drag. I love that it's art. I love how fabulous it is, how fun it is, I love that you can transform your body into a fantastic beautiful woman... the whole thing! I just wish in my next life I can be a drag queen.'
She also appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs THE WORLD in February 2022!
JADE on Celebrity Bake Off
Jade took part in the 2021 series of Celebrity Bake Off, for Stand Up to Cancer. The show, which is a celebrity version of the iconic Great British Bake Off, included some HUGE names, such as Alexandra Burke, Dizzee Rascal, KSI and Anne-Marie.
Sharing the wonderful news on her Instagram, Jade wrote: 'Not the iconic bake off music behind a pic of me on my fave show 😭 You heard it here last cos I’m the worst to post content on time BUT I can’t tell you how gagged I am to be on @britishbakeoff for @su2cuk 💛 swipe for some of my previous baking adventures' (sic).
Despite joking about her past 'baking adventures', Jade actually came out on top, being crowned the winner of her week on the show! The singer said: "I can’t believe it, I’m in shock. My mam will be so proud. I think I might need a framed apron or I might just wear it all the time to remind myself of my success!"
She also celebrated the win on her Instagram, writing, 'I'M A WINNER, BABY 🎂Thank you for having me @britishbakeoff - dream come true 😭 Probably not the best show stopper you’ve ever seen 😂 but I’m super proud of myself and everyone else who got involved! If you can, please keep donating to @su2cuk 💛' (sic).
Jade opens up about anorexia
Jade suffered from anorexia between the ages of 13-18, and she revealed her Little Mix band mates helped her recover. Admitting landing a place in the girl band 'saved her', Jade praised her fellow band mates for being her support system.
She told The Guardian: "At school, I was bullied a lot about my colour. I became incredibly insecure, and was anorexic from 13 to 18. My saving grace was being put in a group where we supported each other and gave each other confidence boosts.
"Going on the X Factor and being put into Little Mix helped me to recover. I knew I’d never be able to be a singer and live my dream if I stayed the way I was; having that goal was my light at the end of the tunnel."
When did she split up with Jed Elliot?
Jade split up with The Struts' Jed Elliot in July 2019 after starting a relationship in February 2015. A source told MailOnline: "Jade and Jed have decided to end the relationship. There is honestly no big drama, it has just sadly run its course.
"They spent so much time apart as Jed is on tour constantly in the USA with his band The Struts. And obviously Jade is super busy with Little Mix promo – and about to start a massive LM5 tour."
Although neither Jade nor Jed confirmed the split, Jade did post a picture of herself using the then-popular Face App as an elderly lady, with her hand held up - with many fans thinking that this was Jade showing off that she is single and wasn't wearing an engagement or wedding ring. She accompanied the post with: 'i’m not even mad tho,' adding further fuel to the fire.
When she started dating The Struts bassist back in February 2015, Jade admitted at the time that it was 'love at first sight'.
Does she have any tattoos?
Yes, Jade has a number of tattoos. In December 2021, Jade revealed a tattoo she had to commemorate 10 years of Little Mix. The singer took to her Instagram Stories to share a pic of the inking saying: 'To commemorate 10 years of @littlemix'.
You can hear Little Mix's biggest hits on the Hits Radio playlist!
Read more:
Little Mix: Get to know the nation's biggest girl band
Little Mix's biggest collaborations so far 🙌
13 facts to make you fall in love with Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall ✨