British pop star Jessie J shared some unfortunate news with her loved ones and fans in a post on Instagram recently.
A Grammy-nominated singer with a catalog going back to 2011's hit Domino, she said she had been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, and announced that she would be out of public life for awhile while undergoing treatment, including surgery.
She said sharing things had helped her weather storms in the past.
“I just wanted to be open and share it. One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard."
"I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book."
The timing of her diagnosis was notable. In 2025, she has been following a carefully planned release calendar, with her song "No Secrets" dropping just over a month ago.
Right around the same time was her diagnosis, with her planning appearances around tests and doctors' appointments. Her next song to be released, she noted, will be "Living My Best Life."
Regarding a cancer diagnosis between those two titles, she said, "I mean you can't make it up."
She joked in the caption of her post:
"Is it too soon to do a remix called ‘Living my breast life’?"
Messages of care and support came flooding in.
@mateobeltrang/Instagram
@rayche_p/Instagram
@lilcola/Instagram
Jessie J even found some humor in the announcement, joking about how she was glad that she "will get to keep [her] nipples," and that it's "a very dramatic way to get a boob job."
"And I will come back with massive tits and more music."
People riffed on that joke when sending their support.
@katyperry/Instagram
@melaniefiona/Instagram
Many fans could relate to this particular diagnosis.
@ritaora/Instagram
@beauty_by_athena/Instagram
@kattimpf/Instagram
Many people noted the word "early" in her diagnosis, and stressed the importance of early detection and treatment.
@cr_uk/Instagram
@thekatiethurston/Instagram
@nhs/Instagram
@weissgoldsteins/Instagram
Jessie J's last appearance before she takes a break will be at Summertime Ball, a large music festival held every year in the UK. This year it takes place on June 15th.
