Jade Thirlwall, formerly of Little Mix, ignited reunion speculation after incorporating a clever lyric change to the group’s 2018 hit “Wasabi” during her first solo performance at Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Held this past weekend at Liverpool’s Sefton Park, the event marked Jade’s solo debut, showcasing her transition from girl band member to independent artist.
During her set, Jade performed a medley of Little Mix’s iconic tracks—“Shout Out to My Ex,” “Sweet Melody,” “Woman Like Me,” and “Touch.” However, it was her playful twist in the lyrics of “Wasabi” that caught fans’ attention: changing the line to, “I bet they gonna break up … It’s a hiatus!” The subtle alteration hints at a possible reunion for Jade and her bandmates Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, who have been on an indefinite break since 2022.
Embracing her solo identity under the name JADE, she expressed heartfelt gratitude towards her former bandmates for their influence in her journey. “Guys, do you remember I was in a girl band? Oh gosh, you’re still going! I just want to say I love the Little Mix girls with all my heart,” she shared. “I’m so, so grateful to the girls. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today on my own. So shout out Little Mix!”
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The show also featured the live debut of her unreleased solo track, “Plastic Box,” further setting the stage for her upcoming solo career. JADE’s debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby!, is slated for release on September 12.
Little Mix’s journey has not been without challenges. Jesy Nelson’s departure in December 2020 deeply impacted the group, prompting remaining members to seek therapy to cope with what Leigh-Anne described in her autobiography, Believe, as a “complex and painful” experience akin to a breakup.
As Jade transitions into her solo career and teases the possibility of the iconic quartet returning, fans eagerly await what the future holds for JADE and Little Mix.