Jessie J has described 2025 as one of the hardest but most magical years of her life, following her breast cancer diagnosis and surgeries. In a candid Instagram post on December 30, the singer opened up about her emotional struggles amid recovery and professional milestones. She urged fans to embrace their feelings without pretense.
Jessie J announced her early breast cancer diagnosis in June 2025 and underwent surgery shortly afterward. In August, she canceled planned tour dates in the UK, Europe, and North America to prepare for a second surgery.
On December 30, 2025, Jessie J shared an honest reflection via Instagram Stories, acknowledging the post's potential virality but prioritizing authenticity. "As truthfully in a world full of ‘everything is fine, I’m happy, I’m good, life is perfect’ there is grief hurt pain sadness heartbreak and reflection and processing happening this time of year for many of us, along side the good and great or on its own," she wrote.
She described the year as "heavy and hard in many ways for all of us, for me personally one of the hardest but most magical years of my life. Personally and professionally." Noting it was the first time in months she had stopped working and appearing in public, she admitted to crying a lot and feeling "the lowest I have felt in a while." Jessie explained this as an "accumulation of stuff just making its way to the surface" and encouraged releasing emotions: "Don’t hold it in people. We are not superhuman or meant to be happy and positive all the time. It’s healthy and normal to cry."
Her message ended with empathy: "Sending love to anyone feeling this way too right now. No positive end to this. Just I’m with ya. It’s shit sometimes."
In September 2025, 11 weeks after surgery, Jessie made an emotional return to the stage at BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Essex, joined by her two-year-old son watching her perform live for the first time. "I’m still very much in the recovery process," she said then. "But I’m just so grateful to be here."
November brought the release of her sixth studio album, Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time, her first in eight years and since leaving Republic Records; it was issued on D.A.P. and her self-titled label. Singles included ‘No Secrets’, ‘Living My Best Life’, ‘H.A.P.P.Y.’ and ‘I’ll Never Know Why’.
Jessie J will perform on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny on BBC Two on December 31, 2025, alongside Ronnie Wood, Olivia Dean, Lulu, Craig David, Heather Small, The Kooks, Imelda May, Joe Webb, David Hermlin and Ruby Turner. Looking to 2026, she is scheduled for Victorious Festival in Portsmouth and Mighty Hoopla in London in May with Lily Allen and Scissor Sisters.
