Jade Thirlwall Reveals X Factor Experience Worsened Mental Health

Jade Thirlwall opens up about X Factor's impact on mental health, highlighting the lack of contestant support.

Jade Thirlwall, a member of the British girl group Little Mix, has candidly discussed the detrimental impact of her experience on "The X Factor" on her mental health. In a recent interview with The Independent published on January 4, Thirlwall, now 32, reflected on the challenges she faced during and after the show, which she believes contributed to mental health struggles among many contestants.

Thirlwall, who auditioned for "The X Factor" twice before being placed into Little Mix on her third attempt, described the experience as "pretty f---ed up." She noted that the intense pressure and lack of adequate support mechanisms during the competition exacerbated existing mental health issues. "I don't know anyone that's come off that show and not had some sort of mental health issue on the back of it," she stated.

Despite acknowledging that the show launched her career, Thirlwall criticized its handling of contestants' well-being. She recounted instances where individuals who were not mentally well were kept in the competition, leading to a toxic environment. "Even at 18, I knew there were people who weren't mentally well in there, keeping everyone up at night," she recalled.

Thirlwall also highlighted the broader implications for contestants who did not achieve long-term success. She expressed concern about the abrupt transition many faced after the show, questioning how individuals could return to normal life or cope with being dropped by labels after initial success. "It's so savage, this machine that we're a part of," she remarked.

These reflections come as Thirlwall embarks on her solo career, following Little Mix's hiatus in 2022. Her debut single, "Angel of My Dreams," released in July 2024, reached No. 7 on the UK charts, marking a successful start to her endeavors as a solo artist.