What health struggles has Jessie J faced during her career? Pop star reflects on stroke and vocal injury after success

Jessie J is reflecting on the terrifying pattern that has haunted her since her teens: every major triumph seems to be met with a medical blow.

Speaking to The Guardian on Saturday, Nov. 29, the pop powerhouse revealed she had a stroke, then a car crash, and now a breast cancer diagnosis. She expounded:

"I just got my first record deal, and I had a stroke. Then when I was about to put out music in 2020 I had a car crash and my larynx moved up and I couldn’t sing for a year. Honestly, I feel life goes, 'You having a good time? Sit down.'"

The Price Tag songstress continued, explaining her stroke at only 17.

"I was on the train, and my face dropped. I felt awful and I went to the GP, and she said, 'I think you’ve had a minor stroke, I’m going to call an ambulance.' I was in hospital for four to five weeks. I’ve clearly got an addiction to being diagnosed with things. So maybe the cancer is part of that."

Last June, Jessie J shared an update on her Instagram that she had been diagnosed with "early breast cancer." The following month, she had a mastectomy.

However, in August, the pop star was hospitalized again due to an infection from her breast surgery, prompting her to reschedule her forthcoming shows.

As of writing, the singer is recovering and has also released her sixth studio album, Don't Tease Me With a Good Time. The singer has also performed at various events, proving she is in better condition.

During her recent show in London, she premiered her new and poignant track, Comes in Waves, inspired by her miscarriage in 2021. She told the crowd:

"I don't know if anyone has gone through the same thing, but if you have, or you know someone close to you and you saw it, it's really f***ing bad."

Jessie J diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome at 11

Apart from the above-mentioned health scares, Jessie J, when she was 11, was also diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, or a heart condition that can cause a very fast heartbeat, as well as dizziness and palpitations.

At the time, the singer was already cast in the musical West End in Whistle Down the Wind. Jessie J shared with the magazine:

"I was going in and out of rehearsals on an IV drip, and going back into hospital at night."

Nonetheless, the Nobody's Perfect singer didn't let her illness define her childhood.

Trending

"My mum and dad always did such a great job of not making that the definitive thing in my life, and not making me define my character by my worst days. That was amazing and has carried through to now."

Instead, Jessie J credits her sickness with inspiring her to "live in the moment," alongside eating better and living a healthy lifestyle.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback