NEED TO KNOW
Jessie J is getting candid about her breast cancer experience.
After the “Bang Bang” singer, 37, revealed she was diagnosed with “early” breast cancer earlier this month, she took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, June 8 and spoke about how she shifted her mood on the “worst day” she’s had since sharing the news.
“Honesty,” Jessie opened the note. “Had my worst day so far yesterday since my diagnosis and the busiest 3 months I have had in years.”
The Grammy-nominated artist, who shares 2-year-old son Sky with boyfriend Chanan Safir Colman, explained how working, motherhood and cancer have led her to experience panic attacks, fear, anger and other intense emotions.
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“And you know what helped?” continued Jessie. “I ate a corn on the cob. Turns out it’s extremely hard to panic or cry while eating one. Highly recommend. [Instant] mood shift.”
She then spoke about the rollercoaster journey of having cancer and told her followers, “I won’t be just talking about the highlights. And making jokes all the time. That isn’t real life.”
Hours later, Jessie shared a series of follow-up posts about how it’s important to “acknowledge fear, anger, sadness, panic, overwhelm and let it come up and come out.”
“Holding it in won’t make it go away. In any challenging situation in life,” she added. “So when I posted what I did yesterday about my current challenge in life, also while making light of the situation.”
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The “No Secrets” artist wrote, “That was one day in 10 weeks that I just lost it and was completely drowned in all the negative and bad feelings any cancer journey can bring. Which is healthy and needed. IMO.”
Jessie then opened up about how she’s been encouraged to remain positive since receiving the diagnosis, and while she knows such advice comes with good intentions, it’s not always realistic.
“I have always advocated for being real. Honest in your feelings. We can not heal what we don’t acknowledge etc.,” she said. “Just don’t unpack your suitcase and live in it. Or let it define you.”
The “Price Tag” musician declared she will show all her emotions “for a minute or even a full day. And then eat a [corn on the cob] or listen to a song that lifts me up. Or laugh with a friend on [FaceTime]. And then go to work and show up and be what I feel 90% of the time.”
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“Strong, fearless, healthy and make some jokes about it all because that’s my way. But I will not ignore the 10% that is fear and the sadness,” said Jessie.
Her final Instagram Stories post of the series included a picture of herself in a bathtub with bubbles covering her breasts alongside the note, “Who knew such little boobs could be so rude and adventurous. Happy Monday. I’m off to a hospital appointment and then to work at the studio.”
In a video shared to Instagram on Tuesday, June 3, Jessie revealed she was diagnosed with “early” breast cancer before her recent single, “No Secrets,” came out in April.
At the time, she informed fans that surgery is in her future. “It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive t— and more music,” she said. Capital’s Summertime Ball takes place Sunday, June 15.
