Singer Jessie J has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, just as she was preparing to release her first album in eight years. The artist, known for her candor, underwent a mastectomy in July and is now speaking openly about her health, her new music, and the profound changes in her life, including becoming a mother.
The diagnosis arrived at a pivotal moment for the 37-year-old performer, whose new album, “Don’t Tease Me With a Good Time,” chronicles years of personal struggle and resilience. Despite the shocking news, she has maintained a determined and positive outlook, shaped by a lifetime of navigating health challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Jessie J was diagnosed with high-grade breast cancer in March 2024.
- She underwent a mastectomy in July and is awaiting reconstructive surgery.
- The diagnosis coincided with the launch of her first new album in eight years.
- Her new music addresses personal topics like miscarriage, past relationships, and grief.
- The singer has a history of serious health issues, including a stroke at age 17.
An Unexpected Diagnosis Amid a Comeback
For Jessie J, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, the timing of her cancer diagnosis felt almost surreal. She was on the verge of releasing new music, including a single titled “No Secrets,” while privately dealing with the most significant secret of her life.
The discovery began with a lump she found while preparing for the Baftas. An initial ultrasound suggested it was nothing to worry about, but Cornish insisted on a biopsy due to persistent symptoms like an achy arm. The call came the day after her birthday. “She goes, ‘Are you sitting down?’” Cornish recalled of the doctor’s tone. “And she says, ‘I’m so, so sorry, but your test results have come back as high-grade cancer cells.’”
Her immediate reaction was pragmatic and focused on her young son, Sky. “I said, ‘Oh, that’s not ideal, is it? That’s not fucking great timing.’ The first thing I thought was, ‘I can’t die because my son needs me.’”
A History of Health Battles
Jessie J's life has been marked by significant health events that often coincided with career milestones. These include:
- Age 11: Diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart condition.
- Age 17: Suffered a minor stroke while attending the Brit School.
- Age 33: Experienced a miscarriage in 2021 after conceiving through IVF.
She underwent a mastectomy in early July. Fortunately, she did not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Cornish approaches the situation with her characteristic humor, noting her new breast looks like “a grapefruit under a tight bedsheet.” She is currently waiting for reconstructive surgery.
A New Album Forged in Honesty
The singer’s new album, “Don’t Tease Me With a Good Time,” is a raw and unfiltered account of her life over the past decade. It delves into deeply personal experiences, transforming pain into powerful music. The project marks a departure from the chart-topping pop hits that defined the early part of her career.
Cornish admits she lost belief in her work after her last hit album, “Sweet Talker,” because the successful songs were written by others and didn't resonate with her. “I just retreated and said, ‘I can’t do this no more.’ I just kind of gave up,” she explained.
Addressing the Past
Several songs on the album serve as public reckonings. In “Complicated,” she reflects on her past, including a public apology to an ex-girlfriend. After their breakup years ago, Cornish referred to her bisexuality as a “phase,” a comment she now regrets for the hurt it caused.
“I think I’m always going to be attracted to women. I’m so honest and open about it, but I don’t want a label on it, like ‘Jessie J the bisexual singer.’”
The song also references her high-profile relationship with actor Channing Tatum. She notes the frustration of her identity being reduced to his plus-one in media coverage. She confirmed she played the song for him to ensure he was comfortable with the lyrics.
Processing Grief Through Song
Two of the album’s most poignant tracks deal with profound loss. “Comes in Waves” addresses the miscarriage she suffered in 2021. At the time, she was pursuing single motherhood via IVF after being told she might not be able to conceive naturally.
The lyrics are a direct expression of her grief: “I hate how much I miss the future we never made.” Yet, the song also holds a promise she would later fulfill with the birth of her son, Sky. “I do feel it didn’t happen because I wasn’t meant to do it on my own,” she reflected.
Another track, “I’ll Never Know Why,” is a tribute to her former bodyguard and close friend, Dave Last, who died by suicide in 2018. The song is a raw expression of the pain and confusion felt by those left behind. “He was like my big brother,” she said, visibly emotional. “I hope it’s a song that can help people who are left behind.”
From UK Pop Star to Chinese Superstar
While her presence in the UK charts faded, Jessie J found massive success in an unexpected place. In 2018, she competed in and won the Chinese talent show Singer. The final episode was watched by an estimated 1.2 billion people, cementing her status as a superstar in China and giving her a renewed sense of artistic validation.
A New Chapter of Life and Love
After a decade living in Los Angeles, which she calls her “selfish, amazing life,” Cornish has returned to the UK. The move was prompted by the birth of her son and a desire to be closer to family. Her partner, Danish-Israeli basketball player Chanan Colman, also has family in Europe.
Motherhood has been a transformative experience. After years of struggling with endometriosis and fertility issues, she conceived her son Sky naturally. “I’m so proud of myself. I went full term,” she said. “Birthing someone’s child is so unique. It’s for ever engraved in our relationship.”
This new chapter, filled with the joys of family and the challenges of her health, is something she looks forward to exploring in future music. For now, she is focused on the present moment, a perspective sharpened by years of adversity.
“I’ve just got to hope it doesn’t come back,” she said of the cancer. “And if it does, then we’ll fucking deal with that when we get to it.”