Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has claimed her and her bandmates “all suffered” after being thrust into the spotlight on The X Factor.
The singer opened up about the group’s struggles with mental health after winning the show in 2011, claiming: “More could be done about it.”
Speaking to The Sun amid on-going conversations about aftercare offered to reality TV participants, Jade said: “Maybe there could have been a bit more in place for mental health, we all have suffered in some way.
“As four young women getting thrust into the industry, having everyone talking about how you look, just the pressure suddenly being in this industry was a lot for all of us.
“We had to find our own way of dealing with that. We’ve all gone through moments with our mental health, whether it’s talking to someone, getting therapy.”
In another interview with Metro at Friday’s British LGBT Awards, where Little Mix picked up the Change Makers award, Jade added: “I think it is a bit of a shocker, especially for us girls we were only 18/19 when we first got thrown into the industry and it is a lot to handle.
“It’s a tough one but a bit more could be done about it.”
Jade’s comments come after MPs announced they would be launching a parliamentary inquiry into reality TV and the aftercare they offer.
The investigation followed the death of The Jeremy Kyle Show participant Steve Dymond, which led to the show being cancelled earlier this week.
The past 12 months have also seen the deaths of former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, following their appearances on the ITV2 reality show.
Their deaths sparked debate about the level of aftercare contestants receive, with ITV later announcing a raft of changes to their processes, including the introduction of social media and financial management training.
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.