Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has shared an emotional message with fans as she marked her first Mother’s Day since becoming a mum — reflecting on the strength of mothers while continuing to navigate the heartbreaking health battle facing her twin daughters.
The 34-year-old singer took to Instagram to post a black-and-white photo showing herself surrounded by a group of mothers, using the moment to celebrate the resilience and power of women everywhere.
Alongside the image, Jesy wrote: “Happy Mother’s Day to all the super human amazing mumas out there.”
She also acknowledged that the day can be painful for many people, adding: “For anyone who finds today difficult, my heart goes out to you. I had the chance to sit down with some incredible mums and families to celebrate women and the true powerhouses they are.”
Jesy continued by praising the inspiring stories she heard from other families, explaining: “It was so incredibly special hearing their stories and learning about their amazing children who have had to overcome so much in their life. I cannot wait to share with you all their inspiring stories.”
A deeply personal journey
The message carried extra weight for the pop star, who has been candid about the difficult journey she has faced since welcoming her twin daughters, Ocean and Story.
During her pregnancy and after their birth, Jesy has regularly kept fans updated while navigating the devastating diagnosis that both girls were born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA Type 1) — a rare and progressive condition that weakens muscles and can affect movement, breathing and swallowing.
Despite the challenges, the singer has continued sharing moments of hope with her followers. Over the weekend she posted a sweet video showing herself encouraging one of her daughters, Story Monroe, to say “mumma.”
In the adorable clip, Jesy can be heard gently saying: “Story, say Mumma. Can you say Mumma?”
She jokingly added a caption over the video that read: “Yeah not happening!” alongside a laughing emoji, giving fans a glimpse of a light-hearted moment amid the emotional journey.
A message for those struggling on Mother’s Day
Jesy also used the occasion to send love to people who may find the day painful. In another post she wrote a thoughtful message for those unable to spend Mother’s Day with their mums.
The line read: “For anyone with empty arms on Mother’s Day, for whatever reason, this day will pass as quickly as it comes. Let yourself do whatever you need to, to make it through and express the pain you’re feeling however you need to.”
Turning pain into advocacy
Since receiving the diagnosis for her daughters, Jesy has also been campaigning for earlier testing for newborns. She has been calling for the NHS to introduce a routine heel-prick test so babies can be diagnosed with SMA sooner, giving families access to treatment earlier.
Earlier this month she shared another touching clip showing herself helping one of her twins practise moving her legs. Speaking softly to the baby, Jesy said: “Are you gonna show them how you move your legs? You’re a little ballerina, come on. Good girl. Little ballerina, yes you are!”
According to the NHS, SMA Type 1 can affect a child’s ability to sit, crawl or walk, and in severe cases can also impact breathing. The condition affects around one in every 10,000 births, with Type 1 accounting for roughly 60 percent of cases.
Yet despite the uncertainty ahead, Jesy’s Mother’s Day message was ultimately one of love, resilience and solidarity — celebrating the strength of mothers everywhere while continuing to share her family’s deeply personal journey with fans.
