Jade Thirlwall has revealed she “resents” being asked about whether or not she wants to have children.
The 32-year-old singer is the next famous face to be quizzed by a group of interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled as part of ITV series The Assembly on Sunday (May 4).
After 11 chart-topping years as a member of era-defining girl group Little Mix, Jade has recently embarked on a successful solo career, and her searingly honest lyrics about challenging experiences in the music industry suggest a candid interview is on the cards.
With no topics off limits, Jade is asked about her time in Little Mix, her solo career and also how she feels about fans speculating about her image.
One interviewer asks Jade to give an example of question a female celebrity would get asked but not a male celebrity and she replies: “I’m going to be very honest about this.
“The thing that annoys me the most and I get asked the most is if I’m going to have children, do I want to be pregnant next, am I pregnant? but I find it really weird people ask that because they don’t know what my circumstances are.
“You don’t know if someone can’t have children or just doesn’t want to or not ready yet. I think it’s a really invasive question and I really resent being asked it
“I’ve maybe put on a bit of weight since I’ve become a solo artist and because of that people speculate a lot like ‘is she pregnant?’ and I’m like guys, I’ve just had a bit of garlic bread, I’m bloated. Do you know what I mean?”
Jade won The X Factor back in 2011 with her Little Mix bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson with the girls being the first group to win the competition.
During the show, one interviewer asks: “A lot of X Factor winners have sold their soul. Do you regret selling yours?”
A flustered Jade replies: “You’ve trumped me. Maybe a little bit in the beginning. I was so young and I just signed on the dotted line.
“But as the years have gone by I’ve learned more and more about the industry. I’ve been collecting – a bit like Thanos with the stones – I’ve been collecting parts of my soul back.”