Jade Thirlwall

Jade Amelia Thirlwall is an English singer, songwriter and dancer. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Little Mix, the first group to win The X Factor in 2011. With Little Mix, she released six studio albums and scored 19 UK top-ten singles, five of which reached number one. The group became the first girl group to win the Brit Award for British Group before going on hiatus in 2022.

Jade signed a solo deal with RCA Records in 2022 and released her debut single "Angel of My Dreams" in 2024, which reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and earned a Brit Award nomination for Song of the Year. Her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby dropped in September 2025 to critical acclaim, debuting at number three on the UK Albums Chart. The album spawned singles "Fantasy", "FUFN", "Plastic Box", and "Unconditional". At the 2025 Brit Awards, she won Best Pop Act. Beyond music, Jade co-writes songs for other artists through her publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music. She is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a Stonewall ambassador. Her solo sound blends pop, disco, electro house, and hypertechno, and she is known for her authentic, witty personality and activism. She has also performed at major UK events including Glastonbury and The Proms.[edit]

Jade grew up in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, the daughter of Norma Badwi and James Thirlwall. Her mother is of Egyptian and Yemeni descent, and her father is English. She attended local schools and was a strong student, excelling in maths and English. She started singing as a toddler and took dance lessons from age three.

She studied performing arts at South Tyneside College. Her first attempt at a music career came at age 15 when she auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, singing The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand". She made it to bootcamp but was cut. She tried again in 2010 and failed to progress. Her third audition in 2011 finally stuck: she impressed the judges as a soloist but was grouped with Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock during bootcamp to form what would become Little Mix. Under mentor Tulisa Contostavlos, the group won the competition, making history as the first group to take the title. She experienced bullying as a child due to her mixed-race background, which later shaped her advocacy.[edit]

Winning The X Factor in 2011 launched Jade's career. Little Mix's winners' single "Cannonball" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The group's debut album DNA reached number three in 2012. Over the next decade, Little Mix released five more studio albums: Salute (2013), Get Weird (2015), Glory Days (2016), LM5 (2018), and Confetti (2020). They amassed five UK number-one singles and became the first girl group to win the Brit Award for British Group in 2021. The group appeared on Debrett's list of the most influential people in the UK and on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018.

After Little Mix went on hiatus in 2022, Jade signed a solo contract with RCA Records. She released her debut solo single "Angel of My Dreams" in July 2024, which peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2025 Brit Awards. Her debut album That's Showbiz Baby followed in September 2025, debuting at number three. The album's singles included "Fantasy", "FUFN", "Plastic Box", and "Unconditional". At the 2025 Brit Awards, she won Best Pop Act, a historic solo win for a former girl band member. She also won the Trailblazer Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards in 2024. Additionally, she received the Gay Times Honour for Allyship in 2021 and 2025.[edit]

Jade is known for her pop, disco, and dance-pop musical style, with her solo work incorporating electro house, nu-disco, and hypertechno. She is often described by fans as empowering, authentic, and witty. Her social media voice blends humour with political and social commentary, particularly on LGBTQ+ rights and racial equality. Little Mix fans are known as Mixers, and Jade's journey has inspired many to pursue their dreams. She is celebrated for representing her mixed-race heritage, Northern roots, and female empowerment. Media outlets frequently highlight her activism and her role as a Stonewall ambassador. She was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone UK in 2024 as Trailblazer Award recipient.[edit]

Jade Thirlwall commands a unique position in the pop landscape, anchored by a fanbase that is as fiercely organized as it is emotionally invested. While she shares the collective 'Little Mixers' with her former bandmates, her solo ascent has cultivated a distinct layer of devotion focused on her specific artistic evolution and unapologetic authenticity. These supporters are renowned for their coordinated streaming efforts and social media campaigns that drive chart performance, treating her individual projects with the same intensity once reserved for the group's collective releases. Her connection to this audience feels less like a celebrity-fan dynamic and more like a shared journey, where her role as the 'glue' of the original trio translates into a stabilizing force for her solo narrative. The mythology surrounding her career often centers on her resilience, from her three failed X Factor auditions to becoming a headliner at festivals like Primavera Sound, stories fans retell to celebrate her longevity and growth.

iFANN has evaluated Jade Thirlwall's global standing, confirming her status as a major cultural figure. Despite her massive influence and high-profile solo success, she currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top-100 lists. This absence of a numeric rank does not diminish her impact but rather reflects the fluid nature of fame metrics for artists who have transitioned from a long-standing group entity to a formidable solo act. While she remains a dominant voice in British pop culture, the evaluation engine places her outside the current published rankings, marking a period of redefinition in her public footprint.[edit]

Jade auditioned for The X Factor three times before finally making it in 2011, listing Diana Ross as her favorite singer and Cheryl Cole as one of her biggest idols. According to bandmate Perrie Edwards, Jade was the one who kept Little Mix together over the years, a reputation that has evolved into a defining legend of her career. Fans often recount the story of how she served as the emotional anchor during the group's hiatus, ensuring the bond remained intact until the official split. Another widely told tale involves the persistent rumors of a reunion; while early 2026 reports suggested otherwise, Perrie Edwards later cemented Jade's permanent status in the trio's future narrative, stating a reunion would only happen with Perrie and Leigh-Anne. Beyond the music, Jade opened a cocktail bar called Arbeia in her hometown of South Shields and is known for her love of Halloween and elaborate costumes. She is approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall and helped fans through mental health struggles through her authentic and humorous personality.[edit]

Jade's mother is Norma Badwi, who is of Egyptian and Yemeni descent, and her father is James Thirlwall, who is English. Her parents separated when she was young, and she lived primarily with her mother. She has an older brother named Karl, who is married and has a child, making Jade an aunt. As of 2026, Jade lives in London with her long-term partner, rapper Jordan Stephens. The couple does not have children. She has a pet cat named Miso. Jade has been making efforts to reconnect with her Arab heritage and learn Arabic, with hopes of travelling more to the Middle East.[edit]

Jade Thirlwall is closely associated with her Little Mix bandmates Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and former member Jesy Nelson. She has collaborated with producer Mike Sabath and co-writers Steph Jones and Pablo Bowman on her solo work. Her long-term partner is rapper Jordan Stephens of Rizzle Kicks. She has also worked with mentor Tulisa Contostavlos from The X Factor. [edit]

Jade's first public relationship was with Sam Craske, a member of the dance crew Diversity. They dated from 2013 to 2014 before splitting. From 2015 to 2019, she was in a serious relationship with Jed Elliott, the bassist for the band The Struts. The couple parted ways after four years together. In 2020, Jade began dating Jordan Stephens, known as Rizzle from the duo Rizzle Kicks. As of 2026, they are still together and living in London, but they are not engaged or married and have no children. Jade's bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock has spoken highly of her talent, stating "the only way is up for her."[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Jade Thirlwall's estimated net worth stands at £20 Million as of 2026. The bulk of her wealth comes from her decade-long career with Little Mix, which collectively sold over 75 million records worldwide. The group appeared on the Sunday Times Young Rich List for five consecutive years from 2017 to 2022, with an estimated collective net worth of £60 million. Jade's share from album sales, tours, merchandise, and endorsements forms the foundation of her fortune. Her solo career has added significant income since she signed with RCA Records in 2022. Her debut single "Angel of My Dreams" charted at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, and her debut album That's Showbiz Baby reached number three on the UK Albums Chart. She also earns from songwriting royalties through her publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music, having co-written tracks for other artists. In 2024, she opened a cocktail bar called Arbeia in South Shields, adding a business venture to her portfolio. Brand partnerships and endorsements have further supplemented her earnings. The album's producers include Mike Sabath, and co-writers include Steph Jones and Pablo Bowman.[edit]

Jade won Best Pop Act at the 2025 Brit Awards, making her the first former girl band member to win a solo Brit Award. She received the Trailblazer Award at the 2024 Rolling Stone UK Awards. She has also won the Gay Times Honour for Allyship twice, in 2021 and 2025, for her LGBTQ+ advocacy. [edit]