Former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall has declared her intention to challenge and 'weird out' her audience with her upcoming musical project. The 33-year-old solo artist is diving into work on her next record, which she hopes to release within the next year, promising a more experimental direction.
From Pop Perfection to Purposeful Disorientation
Despite the success of her debut solo album 'That's Showbiz Baby', which soared to Number 3 in the Official Charts, Thirlwall is keen to push boundaries. In a revealing new interview, she admitted she doesn't see herself as a 'first listen artist' and actively enjoys creating music that requires deeper engagement from her listeners.
'I like weirding people out,' the South Shields-born star explained. 'I like people listening to my music and feeling a bit disorientated or like it's a bit too much, and then they have to listen again and dissect it.' This approach, she says, is a deliberate creative choice to make fans truly unpack her lyrics and compositions.
Arena Ambitions and Documentary Dreams
While she recently enjoyed the intimacy of a theatre show, Thirlwall's sights are firmly set on larger stages. 'In my brain it was an arena show,' she confessed, emphasising her love for pop spectacle and 'all the bells and whistles.' Her goal is to build on her solo success and command increasingly bigger venues.
Beyond music, the star is planning to branch into reality TV production. She revealed plans to create a documentary about her career transition from Little Mix to solo fame, utilising extensive personal footage. This project is a collaboration with her long-term partner, Jordan Stephens of the hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks. The couple have been together since 2020.
A Heartfelt Honour from Home
The singer's professional momentum follows a deeply personal accolade. In December, Thirlwall was granted the 'Freedom of the Borough' by her hometown of South Tyneside, an honour she described as the 'highest my hometown can bestow.'
Sharing photos from the ceremony on December 17, she posted an emotional tribute on Instagram. While overjoyed to celebrate with family and friends, she expressed a poignant wish that her late grandparents and great aunt could have been present. 'Maybe they were,' she mused. The award was shared with local legend Richard Ord MBE, owner of Colman's Fish and Chips, whom she praised for his longstanding support.
With a new album designed to challenge, ambitions for arena tours, and a documentary in the pipeline, Jade Thirlwall is strategically crafting the next bold chapter of her career on her own distinctive terms.
