Jesy Nelson's reps have denied claims that her debut album has been delayed.
The 30-year-old came under fire earlier this month following the release of her music video for debut single Boyz after fans accused her of blackfishing - a term that refers to someone who is pretending to be black or mixed-race.
Jesy later apologised for any offence caused by the blackfishing claims.
It has now been suggested that her debut album will be released in 2022 instead of 2021, but a source told the Mirror that the album was never due to be released this year.
They said: "To claim that an album would be released after one single release is literally laughable and obviously was never part of the plan.
"Jesy is still in the studio recording new music and a second single is in the works. Anybody working in the music industry knows that an album would never follow one single release. Jesy has been subject to severe trolling over the past couple of weeks and has kept a dignified silence despite the vindictive swipes against her.”
While an official spokesperson for Polydor said: “An album was never planned for Jesy Nelson in 2021 and therefore these claims are untrue.”
It comes after an insider told The Sun : "There was lots of excitement that the album would be ready in time for Christmas. Jesy spent months in the studio at the top of the year after leaving Little Mix and had loads of songs ready to go.
"But the rollout for Boyz took a long time and the team and Jesy don’t want to release an album after only putting out one single. The hope now is that a full collection will follow next year."
They added that Jesy was still working on new music and that she is keen for it to be as best as it could be.
The news comes after Jesy's sister slammed the singer's "bullies" on Instagram.
She wrote: "When bullies deliberately, and under-handedly set out to hurt someone they never expect to get caught.
"That's why they try to get other people to do it for them.
"However, when they are exposed for and the victim simply stands up for themselves the bully quickly tries to turn the tables to make the victim take the blame.
"That's what bullies do."
Coming out in support of her sister, Jade continued: "I was taught never to be intimidated by bullies, but to stand up for myself when I have been wronged.
"My sister was targeted and bullied throughout her career.
"Is this really what you want to do? Please all of you, media and everyone, just stop, because you know her heart, her authenticity, her complete accepting and uncritical nature, I know you do."
