JADE reveals what we can expect from her debut solo album 🙌
Her first single 'Angel Of My Dreams' is out now
Jade Thirlwall, now known as the solo artist JADE, has released her first solo single, 'Angel Of My Dreams', and Ellie Prohan caught up with her on KISS' Hype Chart.
Now, as JADE releases 'Angel Of My Dreams', Ellie wanted to know the story behind the sample used in the banger, and what we can expect from her debut solo album.
Listen to JADE's Dance Bangers on Rayo
She told Ellie: "I wanted the song to literally feel like this chaotic roller coaster. You know, it's meant to reflect my journey in the music industry, so that beginning intro to me is literally that kind of dreamy, like, ‘Oh my God’, you know, like that X Factor winner’s single moment montage thing, and then you're sort of catapulted into the industry. And that's what I wanted the song to sort of reflect."
The song features a sample from the Eurovision song 'Puppet on a String', and JADE admitted is a sample she's wanted to use for ages. "Do you know what it is?" JADE started.
"The session when we wrote this it was one of them moments, where like all the stars are like aligned sort of thing. So I did this song with Mike Sabbath, Pablo Bowman and Steph Jones. Pablo, I've worked with a lot over the years and we went in the session together, he was like do you remember we used to always try and use this song?
"And I was like, that's so weird because like in my notes I had that written down as one of the concepts for that album. So it was like, well, we're going to have to write it today and then that's kind of how ‘Angel Of My Dreams’ was born."
What does JADE's solo album sound like?
Jade has yet to confirm the name of her debut solo album, but she has told us about the sound of the album. She told Ellie: "I think this album as a whole is about me, kind of I wanted to literally sound like I'm finding myself and this experimentation of sounds and influences and genres.
"Why not have a chaotic first pop album? You know, and let the fans in on that experience, and it's been so fun to make genuinely.
"You know, obviously there's the slow songs on there, but there's I'd say a lot of the musical influences on the record as a whole are like the stuff I listened to growing up, which would be a bit of like Diana Ross, but then mixed him with, like Cascada, mixed in with a bit of Janet.
"I mean, so it's definitely a merging of the stuff I was inspired by growing up."
What is JADE's album called?
JADE said she does have a name for her album, however: "I definitely will not be allowed to tell you that yet."
She went on to reveal: "I've known the title since the I first did like my first session for this album. Yeah, I knew straight away what I wanted to call it so..."
The singer is the last for the Little Mix girls to release solo music, following Leigh-Anne Pinnock's debut song 'Don't Say Love' in 2023, and Perrie's 'Forget About Us' earlier this year.
When is the Hype Chart on KISS?
You can listen to the Hype Chart Monday - Thursday on KISS FM UK, from 7pm. The Hype Chart is your daily countdown of the most listened to, watched, tagged and shared tunes around, alongside the freshest new music and future hype predictions.
Listen to JADE's Dance Bangers
Check out JADE's Dance Bangers on Rayo including tunes from N-Trance, Lady Gaga and Diana Ross!
Take a look through JADE's career:
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.
Undeterred, Jade auditioned on The X Factor again in 2010, but once again it wasn't to be. Matt Cardle won the competition that year, with One Direction being runners up.
2011 - Little Mix won The X Factor
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, while Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson returned in another group. Despite both groups being eliminated from the competition, it was decided that the four girls would be brought back as a four-piece group. They went on to win the competition, becoming the first group to do so. And as they say, the rest is history.
2019 - RuPaul's Drag Race UK appearance
During her time in the band, JADE appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race UK alongside RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton. She was in the episode Girl Group Battle Royale, which was the fifth episode of season one and aired in October. Ahead of her appearance, she tweeted: 'THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME I'M NOT OKAY.' She was such a popular addition to the show that she returned in 2022.
This was a busy year for JADE - aside from her RuPaul appearance and hard work as one-quarter of Little Mix, she also opened a cocktail bar in her hometown of South Shields. Originally called Red Door, it was changed to Arbeia in 2020, which was also the year she opened a nightclub called Industry just next door.
She also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with Leigh-Anne to raise money for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day. The 10-day trek took its toll on JADE, who wrote on Instagram: 'Climbing Kilimanjaro was mentally and physically exhausting, and by far the hardest thing I have ever done! I am unbelievably proud of myself for pushing myself to the limit and discovering a strength I never knew I had.'
2021 - Jade appeared on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off
Appearing on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off for charity alongside KSI, Stacey Dooley and Katherine Ryan, 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. Upon winning, JADE told the camera: "I can't believe it, I'm in shock! My mam will be so proud. I think I might even frame my apron or just start wearing it all the time to remind myself."
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.'
2024 - 'Angel Of My Dreams' and 'Midnight Cowboy'
Jade released her first solo song in 2024, the 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!
It wasn't too long for fans to wait for new music following this release, as JADE put out 'Midnight Cowboy' in September. On 22nd September, Jade teased that she was set to release another bop - featuring a very familiar voice! Ncuti Gatwa, who fans know from his starring roles in titles such as Sex Education, Doctor Who and Barbie, lent his voice to the song and also appeared in the video. Shortly after the teaser clip was shared, Jade wrote: 'I didn't want you all to have to wait so long for music again'. 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
Jade released her first single of the year on Friday 10th January, another banger called 'IT Girl', which JADE described as the "little sister" of 'Angel of My Dreams'. Also that month, 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'.
She then put out yet another single. 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."
Later that month, Jade was announced as part of the 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.
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.
In November that year, 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: Awarded the Freedom of South Tyneside
It was announced in October 2025 that JADE would receive the Freedom of the Borough from South Tyneside Council, with council leader Tracey Dixon saying 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."
Jade received the incredible commendation on 18th December 2025, writing on Instagram: 'I was very nervous as I don't really enjoy public speaking but looking around the room I reminded myself I was surrounded by people I love and who got me to where I am today. What an honour this was, with my family and friends all by my side - my only wish was that my grandparents and great aunt could have been there, all dressed up, celebrating together. Maybe they were 🌌 .' (sic)
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