Jade Thirlwall is taking the world by storm.
After scoring a top-10 hit in her native United Kingdom with the bombastic debut single “Angel of My Dreams” over the summer, the 31-year-old Little Mix alum has continued capturing fans’ attention in 2024 with the high-energy follow-up tracks “Midnight Cowboy” and “Fantasy.”
The songs will appear on her eagerly anticipated solo album, out next year, and each one shows off a different element of Thirlwall’s dynamic approach to pop music.
“Angel of My Dreams” took listeners on a journey through Thirlwall’s ups and downs in the music industry, while “Midnight Cowboy” transported them to the club. Upon its arrival in October, “Fantasy” unveiled her unapologetically sexy side and boasted disco sounds alongside a colorful David LaChapelle music video referencing media from American Bandstand to Carrie.
“You can really hear through the tracks that I’m trying to find who I am as an artist on my own,” she tells PEOPLE. “I wanted to let fans in on that experience because it’s the truth.”
Fresh off celebrating the release of “Fantasy” with fans at a party in New York City, Thirlwall — one of PEOPLE’s 2024 Ones to Watch for music — sat down with PEOPLE to discuss her upcoming album, introductions to music pre-Little Mix and how things have changed since she and her former bandmates have all gone solo.
Your latest single, “Fantasy,” is a very sensual disco track. What inspired that song?
Sex, darling. That inspired the song. I wanted to write a love song, but in my own way. I wanted this liberating concept of feeling like you’ve found the right person that you can explore all your sexual fantasies with, a safe space for whatever you’re into. I’ve not seen much of that, actually, especially from a woman. That was really important to me. It heavily references Diana Ross, Donna Summer, that disco era, but mixed in with my own Jade world.
How did you feel about leaning into sexier themes after Little Mix was relatively PG?
I think we always were good at innuendo so that nobody felt isolated. But I’m 31 years old. I’ve had a lot of experiences. I want to write about things that feel right for me. I’m definitely not deterred by image, being PG or whatever. I don’t really care. I feel a bit more liberated as a whole, I think. As a solo artist, you can obviously do whatever you want to do creatively, and that’s really cool, even down to the merchandise and stuff.
Yes — you released merch including a butt plug, lubricant and edible underwear in conjunction with “Fantasy.” Did anyone push back against that idea?
Surprisingly, no. When I said I wanted to do kinky merchandise, I was definitely expecting, “This is too far,” but thankfully everyone was onboard. I did want to do condoms, but we decided it’s actually a bit risky because if it splits, I don’t want to be liable. It was like, “What’s the safest, sexiest thing we can do?” We’re all safe with a butt plug, my dear. I have a friend, Samuel Douek, who directed the “Confetti” and “Heartbreak Anthem” videos. He has his own brand called HOWL, which is who I’ve done it with. I wanted to make sure I was going to the right people. We don’t want any cheap, tacky butt plugs.
“Fantasy” follows “Angel Of My Dreams” and “Midnight Cowboy.” How do these tracks set up what we can expect from this album?
I definitely wanted to reflect the chaos of the record. You would not expect each song to come after the next. That’s definitely the vibe. I just want to show everyone a little taste of each part of me before the album comes next year. The album itself is quite experimental. You can really hear through the tracks that I’m trying to find who I am as an artist on my own. I wanted to let fans in on that experience because it’s the truth. I’ve spent three years writing an array of so many different kinds of songs, and I want the unexpected twists and turns along the way. I only get one debut solo album. Why not just do whatever I want?
We all know about your time in Little Mix and since then, but what were your introductions to music pre-X-Factor?
My first loves were Motown and Diana Ross. My mom would listen to that music all the time. I’d see her get ready to go out, and she’d have the huge Diana Ross hair, the big eyes, the glitz and glamour. I’d be like, “Oh my God, that’s everything. I want to be like that.” Then, I have an older brother. He loved Clubland Classix, Eurodance, that sort of music. My dad would listen to a lot of ’80s synth-heavy music. I feel like my album really is an amalgamation of those childhood memories and what I grew up listening to. I think this whole project was about pleasing little Jade.
What was your first concert?
It was so s—. I shouldn’t be rude, but my mom forced me to go. It was Donny Osmond, David Cassidy, David Essex — all these heartthrobs from when my mom was younger. I was so bored that I bit into a glow stick, and it popped all over me. My mom was fuming because she had to take me home early. My second concert was Diana Ross. I was like, “That’s it. That’s what I’m going to do.” From there on out, I’d go to the school disco and make my mom make me a chiffon gown while everyone else was in a Spice Girls T-shirt. I’d walk in and be like, “I’ve arrived.”
Have you met Diana?
Yes, a few years ago. I surprised my mom. We went to Las Vegas to watch her show, and then we met her backstage. She was so lovely to me. Sometimes you shouldn’t meet your idols, but thankfully she was really sweet. My hands were shaking. I couldn’t load my phone to take a picture. I was so cringe. After that experience, I was like, “I get why the fans crumble when they’re in front of you.”
I didn’t realize you auditioned for The X-Factor twice before making it to Little Mix on the third try. Did you ever have a moment where you thought about giving up?
I did, actually. The final year I auditioned, I couldn’t be bothered because I was with a crappy boyfriend, and I was like, “Oh, I just want to hang out with him.” I just didn’t know if it was realistic anymore. I was going to do an art degree for theater production and stuff. Then, my older brother was like, “Just go one more time. You never know what’s going to happen. You’ve got nothing to lose.” I was like, “Fine.” I went, and then I got put in Little Mix, so thank God.
A lot of Little Mix fans really loved watching you and Perrie Edwards enjoy Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s show recently. How did it feel to watch your friend and former bandmate from the audience instead of being up there with her?
It was so bizarre. I’d never seen Leigh’s show yet, and neither had Perrie. I had second-hand nerves. I was holding Perrie’s hand, and we were like, “This is so strange,” but the best feeling was to see Leigh up there. She’s worked so hard. The EP is amazing. She’s a brilliant performer. It brings me so much joy seeing her excel on her own. She’s spoken about the struggles of being a woman of color in a girl band, not feeling seen or appreciated. There was a lot of love in that room, and I was all choked-up — a proud sister moment. Was I a bit jealous? Yes, because I miss being on stage. I was watching like, “Oh my God, I can’t wait to get up there.” I mean that in the loveliest way, not jealous of Leigh-Anne, but jealous that she gets to be on stage. I can’t wait for my turn, basically.
You’ve talked about the band experiencing a lot of sexism, people not believing you contributed to the music and whatnot. Do you feel that has changed as a soloist?
Yeah, maybe not as much sexism. It definitely still exists. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I did think, “I’ve done over a decade now in this industry. I’ve earned my stripes. I’ve put in so much f—ing work,” so when I was trying to organize writing sessions or whatever, especially in the U.S., I was like, “Okay, it’s time. Let’s go.” Did that mean it was easy? No. I still struggled getting in the room with certain people, but the difference now is I know my worth so much more.
There was one particular writer and producer — I’ll not name him, but I’ve worked with him before, actually, and it was like he couldn’t remember that, and I just didn’t exist. I turned up to his house for a session, and he didn’t show up for two days. Before, I would’ve been a lot more, “Well, he’s really huge, and I’ve really got to work for it still.” But I just remember telling my team, “Never put me in a session with this person again.” I’ve been in this industry for so long. I’ve worked so hard. I don’t have to put up with that disrespect.
Your album comes out next year. Are you completely done making the project?
Yes. It’s done, I’m just on the finishing touches. There’ve been a couple of last-minute additions where I’ve listened to a song I wrote two years ago, and I’m like, “No, no, no. It has to make it. I forgot this existed.” I’m so excited for everyone to hear this record. I’ve lived with it for a long time, so it kills me when fans are asking online, “What’s this clip? I’ve heard this might be the title of a song.” I just want to blurt it all out and tell everyone, but I can’t.
What kind of impact do you hope to make as a solo artist? What do you want people to think when they hear the name Jade?
I want them to think of Jade and think, “F— me, that girl does everything. She gives us everything we could want and more.” I strive to be an all-or-nothing kind of pop girly. I want the costumes, the choreo, the big choruses, the big visuals. I am a relentlessly in-your-face visual pop artist. Whether you like that or not, that works for me. I’d love for people to acknowledge me as a credible artist that writes my music and actually stands for something, as well.
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