Everything you need to know about JADE's solo music
She's released her debut solo album
Last updated 20th Feb 2026
Since Little Mix started their hiatus back in May 2022, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall have all been hard at work on their solo music - and the girls have not disappointed fans! July 2024 saw the release of JADE's BRIT Award nominated debut solo track 'Angel Of My Dreams' - following it up with 'Fantasy', 'Midnight Cowboy', 'IT Girl' and 'FUFN'!
JADE teased us with studio pics for months, and the pay-off has been worth the wait with the likes of 'Plastic Box' and 'Unconditional' from her debut album, which now has a deluxe version, following her sold-out UK tour! So let's get clued up on JADE's solo music so far.
Jade's debut solo single: 'Angel of My Dreams'
Jade fans were absolutely over the moon on Thursday 18th July 2024 when her debut solo single, 'Angel Of My Dreams', was released - and again the following day, when she released the sensational music video to accompany it on Friday 19th.
Taking to Instagram, Jade wrote: 'Angel Of My Dreams is officially out in the world and I don’t know whether to cry or laugh ... 😂 This song means everything to me - my love/hate letter to the music industry, telling my story from the beginning of my journey to now. It’s the perfect introduction and launch into my world as a solo artist so buckle ... up lolllll.' (sic)
Fans of the singer were instantly obsessed with the hit single and its video, taking to the comments on YouTube as it premiered to shower Jade with praise. One wrote: 'the production, the vocals, the looks, the choreo, the chaos ?!?!? IT’S JADE SUMMER NOW,' while another added: 'I love how JADE isn't afraid to take risks! A true popstar in the making!' (sic)
'Angel Of My Dreams' peaked at Number 7 in the UK charts, and was certified Gold by the BPI in March 2025 with 400,000 UK sales! It was even nominated for Best Contemporary Song at The Ivors 2025.
The single was also nominated for Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards 2025 with Mastercard while JADE herself received a nomination for Pop Act. Although she lost out on Song of the Year to Charli XCX and Billie Eilish for 'Guess', she did take home Pop Act!
As well as picking up Pop Act, JADE performed her huge hit 'Angel Of My Dreams' at The BRIT Awards 2025. The singer could be seen doing several costume changes and dropping through THAT trapdoor.
The behind-the-scenes journey of JADE's BRITs performance was documented by Dazed, who shared a video showing her practising the routine, and how she did the huge drop.
In March 2025, she told Hits Radio about that trapdoor explaining how she prepared for it. She told the team: "Honestly the fear actually took my breath away. I couldn't scream! In total I practised it about 15 times and it did not get easier! So I was in and out the chiropractor every day."
'Midnight Cowboy'
Jade got fans talking on 22nd September 2024 when she shared a snippet of a brand new track! In a short video, featuring a cameo from none other than Ncuti Gatwa, Jade teased a short snippet of her new track, soon writing: 'I didn’t want you all to have to wait so long for music again 💙MIDNIGHT COWBOY💙 is a gift from me to you until my next single drops 🌟'. (sic)
She dropped a visualiser video for the new track the following day, on 25th September 2024. Ncuti's voice features at the start of the track, saying: "They call, they call her... Calamity JADE".
'Fantasy'
Jade released her third song 'Fantasy' on 18th October 2024, with an incredible music video that saw her channelling her icon, Diana Ross. Apparently, it was written a day after 'Angel of My Dreams', and it's certainly got a similar ethereal vibe to it!
'IT Girl'
Jade's fourth song (and third single) 'IT Girl' was released as a B-Side with 'FUFN (F--- You for Now)'. It was her first single of 2025, being released on 10th January alongside a visualiser. Her album, 'That's Showbiz Baby', was so-named after a lyric in this song: 'Throw me them roses / Well, that's just showbiz, baby.'
'FUFN'
Jade's song 'FUFN' was released on 14th March 2025, and Jade explained what the song was all about to Hits Radio - channelling female rage: "I think for me this one is my sort of 'all guns blazing', big pop moment.
"'FUFN' is about like channelling female rage and just letting someone have it. You know when you're in an argument and you feel like it's the worst thing ever in the moment? Hoping that the next day it will all blow over, it will be fine. Which I think is very relatable."
'Plastic Box'
Jade's next song 'Plastic Box' was released on 20th June 2025 alongside a pretty epic music video. In a press release, Jade described the song: "'Plastic Box' is about that irrational and toxic insecurity within us when we think about our partner's previous relationships, even though we know everyone has a past. It’s a happy-sad pop song and one of my favourite songs I've ever written."
'Unconditional'
Two days before the release of her debut album on 12th September 2025, Jade dropped her song 'Unconditional'. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2024, the singer explained the song was about her mum, who suffers with lupus and various illnesses. In the interview she said: "All my life I’ve had the frustration of not being the one who can help her or save her."
'Headache'
'Headache' wasn't released as a single, but JADE wanted to share some love for album track Number 10. The singer revealed that MNEK and her boyfriend Jordan Stephens feature on the track along with American songwriter Worldwide Fresh.
She wrote on Instagram: 'Bathing in a cup of tea was a dream come true 😂☕️ Jade from AOMD back for round 2, judged by a panel of Jades. Can you guess all the Easter eggs and references? The outro of HEADACHE is one of my favourite things everrrr so get into it ty 🥹💖.' (sic)
One of the pics shows the handwritten lyrics, with the date of 10th March 2023, along with photos from the official visualiser, which was released earlier this year.
'Before You Break My Heart'
Although not released as a single, Jade revealed the adorable and nostalgic way the crew made this album track. We already knew that the song sampled 'Stop! In the Name of Love' by The Supremes - which Jade's idol Diana Ross performed lead vocals on during her time in the group - and that the condition of using the sample was that she wouldn't get royalties from it.
However, she then opened up on Instagram in September 2025 about exactly how they made the song. As a lifelong fan of Diana, Jade discovered an old video of herself as a youngster singing 'Stop! In the Name of Love' and used that in the track.
Writing over the original video along with other studio clips, she explained: 'The sample in the chorus is actually little Jade singing stop in the name of love. I played it to (producer) Mike Sabbath and he worked his magic.'
Jade added that she wrote the song with Pablo Bowman and Mike Sabath: "It's a love song from the perspective of my younger self asking my older self not to forget her and how far we've come together.
"Once it was mixed and mastered, we shot a video with my niece Amara playing little Jade. We filmed it all around my hometown of South Shields and on the day of my BBC prom show. I'm so happy you guys are connecting with this song. Thank you for all the love."
What did Jade say about her solo music?
Speaking about her solo music, Jade said: "What I'm going for is a pop punch to the face. I want people to be like, 'Oh my god, I didn't expect that' – but then want to listen to it again", adding about 'Angel of My Dreams': "I didn't want to do a safe first single".
Will she be collaborating with other artists?
Jax Jones
Jax Jones previously said: "I was in the studio with Jade and she is mega-cool and super-talented. She is also such fun to be around. We wrote something really cool so hopefully that can come out too."
Back in 2021, the pair were snapped in a recording studio together, and Jade told us: "We just had a cheeky session a while back, I still haven't even heard the song to be honest, but I know it's a good'en, whatever we wrote together."
RAYE
It has also been reported that Jade worked with RAYE on her track 'Midnight Cowboy', which she released in September 2024 as a 'gift' to fans before her next single, RAYE also worked on her song 'FUFN'.
Jordan Stephens
JADE also told Hits Radio in an interview that her boyfriend Jordan Stephens has some writing credits on her album. The pair wrote a song together about dream cheating, after she had a dream that Jordan had cheated on her. Thankfully it was just a dream, but it did spark an idea for them to write about.
The singer told us: "The concept's come from me, having a nightmare about Jordan cheating on me, and then I woke up in the morning, I was fuming with him. I just needed a minute to get myself together, and be like ‘babe that wasn't real’.
"That's a concept for a song (dream cheating) that I wrote with Jordan."
Take a look through Jade Thirlwall's career:
2008 - Jade's first audition on The X Factor
Jade first auditioned on The X Factor back in 2008 at the age of just 15. Singing Whitney Houston's song 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', the Geordie girl impressed Louis Walsh, Cheryl Tweedy and Simon Cowell enough to be sent through to the bootcamp stage, but unfortunately she didn't progress any further.
Undeterred, Jade auditioned on The X Factor again in 2010, but once again it wasn't to be. Matt Cardle won the competition that year, with One Direction being runners up.
2011 - Little Mix won The X Factor
It was third time lucky for Jade as she won The X Factor as part of Little Mix. It wasn't an easy ride though as she failed the first bootcamp challenge to get through to the girls category. Luckily for Jade, she was brought back as part of a three-piece group along with Leigh-Anne Pinnock, while Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson returned in another group. Despite both groups being eliminated from the competition, it was decided that the four girls would be brought back as a four-piece group. They went on to win the competition, becoming the first group to do so. And as they say, the rest is history.
2019 - RuPaul's Drag Race UK appearance
During her time in the band, JADE appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race UK alongside RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton. She was in the episode Girl Group Battle Royale, which was the fifth episode of season one and aired in October. Ahead of her appearance, she tweeted: 'THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME I'M NOT OKAY.' She was such a popular addition to the show that she returned in 2022.
This was a busy year for JADE - aside from her RuPaul appearance and hard work as one-quarter of Little Mix, she also opened a cocktail bar in her hometown of South Shields. Originally called Red Door, it was changed to Arbeia in 2020, which was also the year she opened a nightclub called Industry just next door.
She also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with Leigh-Anne to raise money for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day. The 10-day trek took its toll on JADE, who wrote on Instagram: 'Climbing Kilimanjaro was mentally and physically exhausting, and by far the hardest thing I have ever done! I am unbelievably proud of myself for pushing myself to the limit and discovering a strength I never knew I had.'
2021 - Jade appeared on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off
Appearing on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off for charity alongside KSI, Stacey Dooley and Katherine Ryan, JADE was crowned the winner of her episode. The singer wowed Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with her recreation of one of the group's concerts in front of thousands of biscuit fans. Upon winning, JADE told the camera: "I can't believe it, I'm in shock! My mam will be so proud. I think I might even frame my apron or just start wearing it all the time to remind myself."
Jade also won the Allyship award at the Gay Times Honours.
2022 - Little Mix announce their hiatus
Following the departure of Jesy Nelson, Little Mix announced that they were taking a break from the group after they'd finished their 'Confetti Tour', which took place in 2022. They wrote: 'We are not splitting up - Little Mix are here to stay 💫 We have plans for more music, tours and performances in the future. We've made so many incredible memories with you all, and we can't wait to make so many more.'
2024 - 'Angel Of My Dreams' and 'Midnight Cowboy'
Jade released her first solo song in 2024, the incredible tune 'Angel Of My Dreams' on Friday 19th July 2024, with a first official play on-air the previous evening. The sensational video came out on the Friday, with Jade using it to show her "love/hate relationship with the music industry". Fans were utterly obsessed from the get-go, with many flooding the comments section of her YouTube premiere with words of praise and encouragement. It's safe to say it's a hit!
It wasn't too long for fans to wait for new music following this release, as JADE put out 'Midnight Cowboy' in September. On 22nd September, Jade teased that she was set to release another bop - featuring a very familiar voice! Ncuti Gatwa, who fans know from his starring roles in titles such as Sex Education, Doctor Who and Barbie, lent his voice to the song and also appeared in the video. Shortly after the teaser clip was shared, Jade wrote: 'I didn't want you all to have to wait so long for music again'. As well as reportedly working with RAYE on writing the song, Ncuti's voice can be heard in the opening of the track.
2025 - Jade releases 'IT Girl'
Jade released her first single of the year on Friday 10th January. It is another banger called 'IT Girl', and Jade described it as the "little sister" of 'Angel of My Dreams'.
2025 - Wins her first solo BRIT Award
Jade released her first single of the year on Friday 10th January, another banger called 'IT Girl', which JADE described as the "little sister" of 'Angel of My Dreams'. Also that month, it was revealed JADE was up for two awards at the BRIT Awards 2025 with Mastercard. Her debut single 'Angel Of My Dreams' was nominated for Song of the Year, while Jade herself was up for Pop Act! At the event on 1st March, Jade was announced as the winner of Pop Act, beating tough competition from Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Lola Young and Myles Smith, while Song of the Year went to Charli XCX for 'Guess' featuring Billie Eilish. At the event, Jade also put on a memorable performance of her debut solo 'Angel Of My Dreams'.
She then put out yet another single. Released on 14th March 2025, Jade's song 'FUFN' is all about "channelling female rage". She told us in an interview: "I think for me this one is my sort of 'all guns blazing', big pop moment."
Later that month, Jade was announced as part of the Glastonbury Festival line-up. She performed on Saturday 28th on the Woodsies Stage, on the same day as Charli XCX, RAYE and Neil Young.
2025 - Jade released debut solo album
Jade released her debut solo album 'That's Showbiz Baby!' on 12th September 2025 ahead of her solo tour. The album features 14 songs including her amazing debut solo hit 'Angel of My Dreams'. Then on 5th December she released 'That's Showbiz Baby! The Encore', which feature an additional eight songs.
Following the release of her debut album, JADE went on her UK and Ireland tour. The tour started in Dublin on 7th October, before she travelled across the UK, ending in Newcastle on 23rd October.
In November that year, fellow Geordie Cheryl presented JADE with her Musician of the Year Award, at the Harpers Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2025. Speaking about JADE, Cheryl said: "She and I have a lot in common: we're both from the north-east of England and we both grew up determined to follow our dreams of making it in the world of pop music.
"It takes a lot of courage to audition for a talent show, not least one that's going to be broadcast on national television, where people will be following your every move. It takes energy and passion to thrive as part of a chart-topping, record-smashing girl band. But it takes even more bravery to go it alone as a musician, and the singer I'm about to welcome on this stage has done exactly that."
2025: Awarded the Freedom of South Tyneside
It was announced in October 2025 that JADE would receive the Freedom of the Borough from South Tyneside Council, with council leader Tracey Dixon saying she "could not be more deserving of the marvellous tribute," adding that she was nominated due to "her outstanding contribution as a cultural ambassador and her ongoing commitment to South Tyneside." Councillor David Francis praised how she'd used her "platform to speak out and amplify the voices of the marginalised."
Jade received the incredible commendation on 18th December 2025, writing on Instagram: 'I was very nervous as I don't really enjoy public speaking but looking around the room I reminded myself I was surrounded by people I love and who got me to where I am today. What an honour this was, with my family and friends all by my side - my only wish was that my grandparents and great aunt could have been there, all dressed up, celebrating together. Maybe they were 🌌 .' (sic)
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