Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall Details 'Daily Battle' to Avoid Trying Ozempic
Context:
Jade Thirlwall, a former member of the British girl group Little Mix, candidly discusses her ongoing struggle with body image and past eating disorders. She reveals her internal battle against the temptation to use Ozempic, a medication popularized for weight loss, due to her history with anorexia. Despite being in her healthiest state in her 30s, Thirlwall faces online scrutiny and body-shaming comments, often speculated to be pregnant, which predominantly come from women. Reflecting on her past, she acknowledges how her eating disorder was exacerbated during her early fame, where extreme thinness was a result of her mental health struggles. Thirlwall emphasizes the importance of speaking out about her experiences, which marked the beginning of her recovery journey when she was 18 years old.
Dive Deeper:
Jade Thirlwall, at the age of 32, openly addresses her personal challenges in maintaining a healthy body image and resisting the use of Ozempic, a drug often used for weight loss, due to her history with eating disorders.
Thirlwall battled anorexia as a teenager and has since worked towards recovery, acknowledging the mental strain caused by public commentary on her body, which impacts her well-being.
Despite being in her healthiest state now, Thirlwall deals with frequent online comments suggesting she is pregnant, highlighting the societal pressure and body-shaming prevalent in social media.
Her fame with the group Little Mix, formed on The X Factor UK, was marked by periods of extreme thinness, which she now recognizes as a manifestation of her disordered eating and mental health struggles.
Thirlwall reflects on the role of control in her life, noting that her eating disorder was a way to manage feelings of chaos, a pattern she identified in retrospect during her time with the band.
Her candidness about overcoming anorexia includes sharing her journey of seeking help at 18, which was pivotal in her recovery, as she realized the importance of not harboring the secret alone.
Thirlwall highlights the importance of talking openly about eating disorders, showing how her recovery was catalyzed by sharing her experiences, a crucial step in her healing process.