The Little Mix singer described the first few months of twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe’s lives as “grueling.”

Singer Jesy Nelson reveals heartbreaking news about 8-month-old twins

The Little Mix singer described the first few months of twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe's lives as "grueling."

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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January 4, 2026 5:56 p.m. ET

Jesy Nelson and Zion Foster on 'This Morning' TV show in London in July 2025. Credit:

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson's twin infants have been diagnosed with a rare disorder that may seriously impact their lives.

Nelson took to Instagram to share the devastating news in a video captioned, "This means more than I can explain. PLEASE take time out and watch this... If you listen to one thing today, let it be this."

In the video, Nelson tells her nearly 10 million followers that her "heart is racing" before tearing up and saying, "I'm not sure where to actually start with this video."**

Nelson ultimately explained that after "the most grueling three, four months, and endless appointments," Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, the eight-month-old twins she shares with fiancé Zion Foster, "have now been diagnosed with a severe muscle disease called SMA type 1."

Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare and degenerative genetic condition that can weaken the muscles, cause mobility issues, and even impact breathing and swallowing, as well as bone and joint health, according to the U.K.'s National Health Service.

Nelson said it was her mother who first noticed that "the girls were not showing as much movement in their legs as they should be." The "Black Magic" singer recalled that at first, the observation didn't concern her, because she was told by her care providers, "Your babies are premature, so do not compare your babies to other babies. They won't reach the same milestones, take them as they are, and they'll get to where they need to be when they do." Nelson noted "healthcare visitors" pronounced the babies in good health during a postnatal inspection.

Ultimately, "a few signs started to show later on that they were struggling to feed properly." As the twins' symptoms worsened, doctors eventually produced the SMA type 1 diagnosis.**

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Nelson's fans, friends, and famous peers flooded the comment section of her post to share their support.

JoJo Siwa wrote that she was "sending lots of love and prayers," while English actress and singer Shona McGarty told Nelson, "There are no words big enough for how unfair and heartbreaking this is. I am so deeply sorry. My heart aches for you and for your beautiful little girls."

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Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock perform as Little Mix in England in 2019. Joseph Okpako/WireImage

Nelson explained that SMA is "the most severe muscular disease that a baby can get," with life expectancy hovering around two years old if the condition is left untreated.

The 34-year-old singer, who went solo from Little Mix in 2020, called the past few months of health issues and doctor visits "the most heartbreaking time of my life." But she remains "grateful because at the end of the day, they're still here and that's the main thing and they've had the treatment... and I truly believe that my girls will defy all the odds and, with the right help, they will fight this."**

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