Jesy Nelson’s mother Janice White has said that she has “lost [her daughter] to social media” and wishes that she had never participated in The X Factor.
While appearing in the new BBC Three documentary Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out, which details the harmful effects trolling had on Nelson when she came to fame, White expressed sadness over Nelson’s insecurities and the toll being in the public eye has taken on her.
“I always say I wish it was back to normal,” White says. “I wish I could have life as it was and have my funny little Jess back. I am so proud, and when I watch her on stage I get excited. I’m the loudest cheerer in the crowd.
“But as much as I love all that… if I could have my Jess back as she was before, I’d change it like that. Not have the X Factor or any of that. Because I miss her. I just kind of feel like I’ve lost Jess to social media. [She's] addicted to what people are saying.”
Nelson previously revealed that the abuse she received on social media led her to attempt suicide.
“I had a routine of waking up, going on Twitter, searching for the worst things I could about myself,” she said.
“I’d type in the search bar, ‘Jesy fat’, or ‘Jesy ugly’, and see what would come up. Sometimes I didn’t even need to do that, I’d just write ‘Jesy’ and then I’d see all the horrible things. Everyone told me to ignore it – but it was like an addiction.”
You can contact the Samaritans by calling them for free from any phone for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.
