JADE criticises "white and straight and very privileged" Matty Healy over political neutrality

Singer Jade Thirlwall, also known as JADE has openly criticised The 1975 frontman Matty Healy after he declared he no longer wanted his band’s legacy “to be one of politics.”

Healy told fans during The 1975’s headline Glastonbury set in June, “We don’t need more politics. We need more love and friendship.”

JADE, however, disagreed in an interview with The Guardian, calling the stance “disappointing.” She said, “I don’t think you can be a pop artist and cover your eyes. It’s very easy for someone who’s white and straight and very privileged to say that. Good for you, hun!”

The 32-year-old, who rose to fame as part of Little Mix before launching her solo career, is well known for her activism. She used her own Glastonbury set to protest against welfare cuts, silencing protest, and arms sales, and has long been vocal on LGBT+ rights and Palestinian freedom.

In 2015, she famously hijacked the Little Mix Twitter account to condemn Parliament’s vote to bomb Syria, signing off “xxJadexx.”

Healy, 36, has previously drawn headlines for his political statements, including criticising Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws in 2023, a move that saw The 1975 banned from the country. He also sparked controversy that same year after appearing to mimic a Nazi salute during a performance.

Despite this history, he has insisted the band will now remain politically neutral.