Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has publicly addressed her separation from fiancé Zion Foster for the very first time, revealing the emotional challenges they faced following their twin daughters' serious health diagnosis.
Navigating a Difficult Period
Jesy Nelson and Zion Foster, who began their relationship in January 2022, have reportedly ended their romantic partnership. This development comes not long after the couple shared the heartbreaking news that their twin daughters, Ocean and Story, were diagnosed with a rare muscle disease known as SMA Type 1.
A Relationship Timeline Marked by Challenges
The couple's journey has been complex, featuring a brief split in 2024 just before they were due to release their collaborative song 'Mine'. They later reconciled quietly and announced they were expecting twins in January 2025. After a high-risk pregnancy, the twins were born in May, and the pair got engaged in September of that year.
Despite these joyful milestones, Jesy has now explained that the immense strain of their daughters' medical condition began to affect their relationship fundamentally. In a candid conversation with the Daily Mail, Jesy expressed, "We have been through such a traumatic experience and for us, our girls are our main priority and our main focus."
The Impact of SMA Type 1 Diagnosis
At just six months old, Ocean and Story were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, a severe genetic disorder. The couple was informed that their daughters would likely never walk and had lost the neck muscles necessary to lift their heads without support.
Jesy elaborated on the personal toll, stating, "We want to give them the most positive, happy and uplifting time and energy and because we have both been through such a traumatic experience, the energy wasn't right between us, which is understandable."
Commitment to Co-Parenting and Advocacy
Although their romantic relationship has concluded, Jesy emphasised that she and Zion remain united in their roles as parents. She clarified, "We are still friends and we are still united in co-parenting our daughters, they are our main focus, that's all we can do, be the best possible parents we can right now."
Campaigning for Change
Since the diagnosis, Jesy Nelson has become a vocal advocate for newborn screening for SMA. She is campaigning vigorously for the condition to be tested at birth, highlighting that many symptoms are preventable if detected early, though they are not reversible once they manifest.
This personal mission adds a significant layer to her public life, as she channels her family's experience into efforts to help others facing similar challenges.
