It’s been a whirlwind few months for JADE, the former Little Mix star, as she steps boldly into the solo spotlight with a string of new releases, candid interviews, and a clear vision for her place in pop music’s next chapter. On September 10, 2025, just days before her debut solo album was set to drop, JADE surprised fans with the release of “Unconditional,” an emotionally charged track with unmistakable 80s vibes. The song, which arrived at 5pm BST alongside a vibrant visualiser, is already being hailed by fans as a standout moment in her blossoming solo career.
“Unconditional” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a deeply personal piece inspired by JADE’s mother, who has long battled lupus and other illnesses. In a 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, JADE opened up about the song’s origins: “All my life I’ve had the frustration of not being the one who can help her or save her.” That vulnerability, paired with an infectious beat, has struck a chord with listeners, many of whom have flooded social media with messages like, “Love u Jade, you’ve been making incredible art and impeccable music, exactly what you were born to do.”
The single is just one of several tracks featured on JADE’s much-anticipated debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby!, released on September 12, 2025. The album marks a new era for the 32-year-old singer, who first captured the public’s attention as a teenager auditioning for The X Factor in 2008. After two unsuccessful attempts, her persistence paid off in 2011 when she won the competition as part of Little Mix, a group that would go on to become one of the UK’s biggest pop acts of the decade.
Little Mix’s legacy is undeniable: chart-topping albums, multiple BRIT Awards (including British Single of the Year for “Shout Out to My Ex” and British Video of the Year for “Woman Like Me”), and a loyal global fanbase. But for JADE, the time had come to carve out her own space in the industry. In the years since Little Mix’s heyday, she’s kept busy with a range of projects—opening nightclubs in South Shields, collaborating with fashion and beauty brands, and even climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief. Yet music remained her true calling.
Hints of a solo career began to surface in late 2023, when JADE teased new music on social media. By July 2024, she was ready to make her move, dropping her debut single “Angel Of My Dreams.” The track quickly went viral on TikTok, thanks in part to its unconventional sound and a dance challenge that swept through the app. The accompanying music video offered a raw look at JADE’s complicated relationship with the music industry, and fans responded enthusiastically, praising her willingness to take creative risks.
“With ‘Angel,’ I didn’t care how well it did, because I was proud of myself for creating such a bonkers song,” JADE told Vogue in a September 2025 interview. “So whatever the response would be, I could hold my head up high and be like, ‘That was my creative decision and this is who I am.’ For my mental health, it’s nice not to have to think about numbers and charts. I’ve done all that with Little Mix. Now, it’s time to experiment and just have fun.”
Her approach is resonating. In March 2025, JADE’s solo efforts were recognized at the BRIT Awards, where she took home the coveted Best Pop Act trophy, beating out heavyweights like Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, and Lola Young. “Angel Of My Dreams” also earned a nomination for Song of the Year—further proof that her solo star is on the rise.
JADE’s ambition doesn’t stop at critical acclaim. She’s made it clear that she wants to join the ranks of pop’s leading ladies, such as Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. “I live for that. I want to be one of the next main pop girlies, and I want to create music that brings people joy or helps them vent frustrations. Songs like ‘FUFN’ and ‘Plastic Box’ have that euphoric escapism. That’s what I’m always striving for myself, and I hope that projects onto my fans—especially my LGBTQ+ fans, who I adore,” she told Vogue.
JADE has always been mindful of her audience, particularly the LGBTQ+ community, which she credits as a significant part of her fanbase. She views her music as a source of happiness in a world often weighed down by “political and societal drivel,” as she put it. Her recent releases, including the fiery anthem “FUFN” (released in March 2025), channel themes of female rage and empowerment. “I think for me this one is my sort of ‘all guns blazing,’ big pop moment,” she explained in an interview. “‘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.”
Beyond the music, JADE’s solo journey has been a process of self-discovery. “It does feel a bit like a rebirth, which sounds quite cheesy. But I have found out so many things about myself in this process. I’ve surpassed my own expectations at times, which has been a lesson for me—of giving myself my own flowers and discovering the fire that I had in my belly, to prove to people that I could get on that stage and give them their money’s worth. There’s still so much to show people that they didn’t get to see in the group. It’s been really cool, converting people to being a Jade stan,” she reflected in her Vogue interview.
JADE’s calendar has been packed in 2025. In addition to releasing new music, she announced a nine-date UK and Ireland tour, set to kick off on October 8. She also made her Glastonbury Festival debut on September 28, performing on the Woodsies Stage alongside the likes of Charli XCX, RAYE, and Neil Young. Earlier, she opened for Chappell Roan in Edinburgh, a moment she described as both inspiring and affirming of her place among today’s pop elite.
Fans have been treated to more than just singles. In September 2024, JADE dropped “Midnight Cowboy,” a collaboration featuring Ncuti Gawta’s voice and a stylish visualiser video. Each release, whether a surprise drop or a planned single, has showcased a different facet of her artistry—something she says is just the beginning.
As JADE’s debut album That’s Showbiz Baby! lands and her tour dates approach, it’s clear she’s not just chasing chart positions. Instead, she’s determined to make music on her own terms, celebrate her individuality, and bring her fans—old and new—along for the ride. If her recent successes are any indication, JADE’s star is only just beginning to rise.
