In a candid and impassioned interview published by The Guardian on August 16, 2025, Jade Thirlwall—best known as a member of the chart-topping British girl group Little Mix—took direct aim at The 1975’s frontman, Matty Healy, for his recent declaration to keep politics out of his music. The exchange has ignited a lively debate about the role of pop artists in political discourse, with fans and commentators weighing in from all sides.
Thirlwall, who rose to fame in 2011 after winning The X Factor alongside fellow Little Mix members Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards, hasn’t shied away from politics in her public life. The singer, now 32, has spoken out before on issues ranging from international conflict to domestic policy, and she sees music as inseparable from the social movements that shape society. “I don’t think you can be a pop artist and cover your eyes. I saw Matty Healy say that he doesn’t want to be political, which I found disappointing,” Thirlwall told The Guardian. She didn’t mince words about her disappointment, adding, “It’s very easy for someone who’s white and straight and very privileged to say that. Good for you, hun!”
Her remarks were prompted by Healy’s comments during The 1975’s performance at Glastonbury Festival in June 2025. In front of a massive crowd, Healy explained his band’s decision to consciously avoid political statements in their shows. According to Variety, Healy said, “People who are watching this may—I don’t know... They may be disappointed in the lack of politics in this show and our forthcoming shows and probably our future shows. I want you to know that it’s a conscious decision.” He continued, “We honestly don’t want our legacy to be one of politics. We want it to be that of love and friendship. I’m not trying to be too earnest, but you can go out into the world and there’s loads of politics everywhere. We don’t need more politics. We need more love and friendship.”
Healy, 36, also addressed his younger fans directly, saying, “I know that’s really basic, but if you are a young kid and you are inspired by, like, this band or something like that—don’t aspire to play a stage or be a certain size. Aspire for this level of friendship and love in what you do and you’ll never fail. And I love you.”
Yet, the band’s actions seemed to muddy the waters. Shortly after Healy’s speech, The 1975 launched into their hit song “Love It If We Made It,” accompanied by a montage of political imagery—flashing photos of President Donald Trump, Kanye West, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, among others. The juxtaposition did not go unnoticed by fans and critics alike, raising questions about whether it’s truly possible for artists to remain apolitical, especially when their art inevitably intersects with the world’s most pressing issues.
Thirlwall’s own history with political expression is well documented. In 2015, she commandeered Little Mix’s official X (formerly Twitter) account to voice her distress over the UK Parliament’s decision to launch air strikes in Syria. “So, so sorry to the innocent people of Syria xxjadexx,” she tweeted at the time. Reflecting on that moment with The Guardian, she admitted, “I got in a bit of trouble for that. But I felt very passionate about it. I’m no expert in politics, but I’ve always taken an interest.”
Her political engagement is deeply personal. Thirlwall, who is of Arab heritage, spoke about witnessing Islamophobia firsthand after the September 11 attacks, particularly the discrimination experienced by her grandfather. “As someone of Arab heritage, I’ve seen people turning a blind eye to the Middle Eastern tragedy,” she shared. This background, she said, has informed her willingness to speak out, even at the risk of backlash.
That willingness was on display again at Glastonbury 2025, where Thirlwall led her audience in a chant against silencing protest, reforms, and welfare cuts. She recounted, “I was ready for a backlash from the right kind of people. I saw a lot of people saying, ‘Your Glastonbury set was really good until you got political’ or ‘I used to be a fan of yours until you got political.’ But, hun, you were never a fan, because I’ve always piped up.”
The debate over whether musicians should use their platform for political advocacy is as old as pop music itself. For some, like Thirlwall, the answer is clear: “Pop music and political movements go hand in hand and should never be treated as separate.” She believes musicians have a responsibility to champion causes and communities that matter, especially given the reach and influence they wield.
Yet, others argue for the value of escapism in art. On X, pop culture account Pop Crave posted Thirlwall’s critique of Healy, sparking a flurry of responses. Some users echoed Healy’s sentiment, with one writing, “People don’t want everything to be political. Whether it’s sports, film, music, comedy, restaurants, etc. It only ruins it.” Another added, “No, I go to the entertainment industry (movies, music, art, etc) to escape stupid and divisive politics. I don’t remember paying artists to preach to me.”
On the flip side, Thirlwall’s supporters applauded her candor. “A queen,” posted one fan, while another declared, “She’s so real.” Some found themselves torn, acknowledging the risks artists face when taking a stand. As one user put it, “I definitely agree with her that it is disappointing that a lot of people don’t speak about politics, but also considering how big a lot of artists are, I get speaking on certain issues arise a lot of security risks and people who wish genuine harm on them.”
Healy’s representatives have not issued a public response to Thirlwall’s comments. According to Newsweek, they were contacted for comment on August 18, 2025, but have yet to reply.
Meanwhile, Thirlwall is preparing for the next chapter in her career. Her debut solo album, That’s Showbiz Baby!, is set for release on September 12, 2025. She remains proud of her time in Little Mix, describing it as “delightful and amazing,” but it’s clear she’s ready to carve out her own space as both an artist and an advocate.
As the debate about politics in pop music continues to simmer, Thirlwall’s and Healy’s contrasting approaches offer a window into the broader cultural conversation about celebrity, responsibility, and the power of art to reflect—or resist—the world around us. For fans and critics alike, the question remains: Should pop stars use their spotlight to push for change, or is there value in offering a respite from the noise of politics? For now, the answer seems as varied as the music itself.
