Jade Thirlwall Says Fans Think She’s Pregnant After Recovery

• Jade faces hurtful speculation (“She must be pregnant”) as she embraces healthier body norms.
• Her X Factor audition occurred just after anorexia-related hospitalization.
• Restricting food was a toxic coping mechanism during her darkest periods.
• Every day, she resists using Ozempic due to her eating disorder history.
• In her 30s and preparing a solo album, she defies outdated beauty expectations.

Jade Thirlwall, now 32, courageously shared that as she embraces being “the healthiest I’ve ever been,” social media remarks often claim, “She must be pregnant” — simply because her figure has changed post-recovery. Even more striking: she notes that these comments, tragically, “are usually women,” reflecting entrenched expectations shaped by her early-career image when battling anorexia. This shift in perception speaks volumes about societal pressure on women’s bodies—and the lingering impact of past appearances.

From Hospital to X-Factor: Jade’s Anorexia Journey Began Early

At just 18, Jade auditioned for The X Factor only weeks after being discharged from hospital for anorexia treatment. Reflecting now, she believes that—had proper mental-health screening been in place—she likely wouldn’t have been permitted to compete. At the time, she deliberately avoided letting her eating disorder define her public narrative, choosing music as a path to reclaim control and hope.

Looking back, Jade admitted that food restriction became a toxic mechanism of control during turbulent times.

“When I look back at photos … I think, ‘Wow, girlie, you were very, very thin,’” she said.

Controlling her intake felt like the only way to regain order when life felt overwhelming. This honest reckoning highlights how trauma and self-image issues can intertwine in silent ways.

In a moving disclosure, Jade confided, “I have a daily battle with myself not to go on Ozempic.” Despite understanding why others might choose it, her history with anorexia makes her wary of where such a drug could lead her physically and mentally. This admission is a powerful reminder: even now, recovery remains an ongoing, vulnerable journey—not defined by milestones, but by everyday decisions.

Solo Era: Healthiest Self, but Facing Unwanted Body Scrutiny

As she gears up for her solo debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby, releasing September 12. Thirlwall is flourishing creatively and personally. Yet, she’s navigating a new wave of scrutiny. Despite a fanbase built on empowerment, she’s met with persistent guesses about pregnancy—an unwelcome echo of past body expectations. It’s a nuanced tension: thriving in her 30s, yet still grappling with the shadow of her former “stick-thin” image.

In her in-depth conversation with The Guardian, Jade spoke with clarity and empowerment. She remembered resisting the show’s urge to “fish for a sob story,” determined instead to create music and define her identity on her own terms. Now, as a solo artist and activist, she continues to carve out her truth—raising her voice for mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and creative authenticity.

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