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On May 31, 2025, Jade Thirlwall took a bold stance during her set at Mighty Hoopla, a London music festival known for celebrating queer culture and expression.
The former Little Mix member, now performing solo under the moniker JADE, led the crowd in a chant criticizing author J.K. Rowling. It began when Thirlwall called out “transphobes,” prompting fans to respond with:
“F*** you.”
She then named Rowling directly, with the audience echoing the same reply.
Rowling, 59, has been the subject of ongoing controversy for her views on gender identity. Since 2019, she has made repeated comments opposing the use of chosen pronouns and the inclusion of trans women in women’s spaces.
In May 2024, following a legal ruling in the UK aligning the definition of "woman" with biological sex, Rowling posted a photo of herself smoking a cigar with the caption:
“I love it when a plan comes together.”
In October 2023, during a post on X (formerly Twitter), the author also stated she’d “happily” face prison time for misgendering someone rather than use their preferred pronouns.
Jade Thirlwall has publicly supported the trans community for years. Along with former bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards, she signed an open letter in June 2022 expressing solidarity with the trans community following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, which had broader implications for LGBTQ+ rights discourse. She had stated
“I’ve always been quite vocal, and I’m not always going to get it right. But you can’t be a pop artist right now without speaking out about certain things.”
She added:
“We’re seeing an attack on the trans community, and I have a very big LGBTQ+ fanbase. I can’t sit back and not be vocal about defending that community. I’m happy to pay the consequences if it means doing the right thing.”
Fans react to Jade Thirlwall's bold gesture against J.K. Rowling
Jade Thirlwall’s loud and pointed message during her Mighty Hoopla set drew quick reactions online, as fans took to social media to express support for the singer.
One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“she started this pride month the best way possible”
Another echoed the sentiment, saying:
“I think I say it for all when I say we stand with Jade… Respect Trans People !!!”
One fan posted:
“jade said trans rights louder than ever, we love to see it”
Along with the fire emoji, an online user declared:
“That’s not just a performance, that’s a statement.”
Another fan praised her move:
“She's so real for this what an icon”
One more wrote:
“Well done. More people need to say that to Rowling”
Others praised her boldness, calling her “icon” and “mother,” with some viewing the moment as a fitting way to kick off the season:
“Happy pride to all”
Jade Thirlwall hints at Little Mix reunion during solo festival debut
Jade Thirlwall’s chant to J.K. Rowling comes just days after she made her solo mark at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool on May 25, where she closed the New Music Stage with a full set that blended new material and fan-favorite throwbacks.
Performing at Sefton Park on May 25, the singer delivered her debut solo show to a packed crowd, including a reworked version of “Wasabi,” a track from the group’s 2018 album LM5.
Near the song’s end, she tweaked the lyrics. Originally, it goes:
“I bet they gonna break up / But what the hell do you know?”
She then swapped it with:
“I bet they gonna break up / It’s a hiatus!”
Later in her set, she paused to reflect on her Little Mix roots.
“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. I’m 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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