Jessie J walks back controversial comments about her bisexuality being a ‘phase’

Singer Jessie J has addressed her 2014 comments about her bisexuality being a “phase,” a statement that was heavily criticised at the time.

The 37-year-old singer-songwriter, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, revealed that she was bisexual in 2011. However, three years later, after a break-up with a woman, she labelled her queerness “a phase”.

In a new interview with The Guardian, Jessie J said her wording at the time was clumsy. She furthered that she was no longer in contact with her ex and that her words had “hurt” her ex-partner.

“It wasn’t me saying I’m not bisexual. I think I’m always going to be attracted to women,” she explained. 

“I’m so honest and open about it, but I don’t want a label on it, like ‘Jessie J the bisexual singer’.”

‘I’m sure it hurt her’

@pinknews

Pop star Jessie J previously called her bisexuality ‘a phase’ and in a new interview with The Guardian, opens up about her sexuality and what she thinks the impact her comments had on her ex-girlfriend. In the interview she says, “It wasn’t me saying I’m not bisexual. I think I’m always going to be attracted to women. I’m so honest and open about it, but I don’t want a label on it, like ‘Jessie J the bisexual singer’.” The interviewer asked the pop star if she was still in touch with her ex, to which she said “No, not any more,” and when asked if she was upset when she read that she said her bisexuality was ‘a phase’ she said “Yeah, I’m sure it hurt her because our relationship was amazing and we were really serious. We lived together for a long time; around three years.” #jessiej #bisexual #lgbtq🏳️‍🌈 #bisexuality #popmusic #sexuality

♬ Flashlight – From “Pitch Perfect 2” Soundtrack – Jessie J

Jessie J also clarified that she was no longer talking to her ex-partner. Askedje if she remained in contact with her ex, she replied, “no, not any more”.

“I’m sure it hurt her because our relationship was amazing and we were really serious,” she also added. “We lived together for a long time: around three years.”

Previously, in 2024, the “Bang Bang” singer offered up an apology in the form of a song.

According to Out, during a performance at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles in May, Jessie J sang an unreleased song which has been given the title “Complicated” by the internet.

The song reportedly contained the lyrics: “2012, I broke up with my beautiful girlfriend. With the press in my face, called it a phase, babe I’m sorry.”

At the time, she said she regretted using the word “phase.” She also added: “I’m a talker; I wear my heart on my sleeve. But sometimes I just have to know when to shut up.”

Earlier this year, Jessie J underwent surgery for early-stage breast cancer.

On Friday (28 November), the singer released her sixth studio album Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time. The 16-track album was created over five years in Los Angeles. The lead single “Living My Best Life” sets the album’s tone as a reflection on resilience and healing.