JADE explains how LGBTQ+ people ‘shaped who she is’: ‘My success is down to the gays’
JADE has said that ’80 per cent’ of her success is ‘down to the gays’. (Getty)
Pop superstar JADE has doubled down on her staunch support for the LGBTQ+ community and explained the reasons behind her ardent allyship.
Speaking to queer TV and radio presenter Harriet Rose on her new podcast By The Way…With Harriet Rose, the “Church” singer, 33, said that the bulk of her success is “down to the gays”.
“It means everything to me,” the singer said after Rose questioned her about the importance of her huge queer fan base.
“I think regardless of being an ally, just on a personal level I’d say 80 per cent of my success is down to the gays. Like, not even just from a fan-based perspective, my team around me, the people I grew up with, the people in my life when I moved to London, my close friends,” she said.
She went on to say that she has been “literally shaped” by people from the LGBTQ+ community, as they have made her “a better person”.
“They’ve taught me so much,” the “Angel of My Dreams” singer continued.
“They’ve made me a better artist. Like I would not be where I am today were it not for people from that community. Even without the allyship aspect of it, I just owe a lot to them.”
While JADE, born Jade Thirlwall, has been a vocal supporter of queer folk since her days with Little Mix, she has become increasingly visible in LGBTQ+ spaces since stepping out as a solo artist in 2024.
At the queer-favourite pop festival Mighty Hoopla in 2025, JADE led a chant against JK Rowling, who has become known for her “gender-critical” views.
Before performing her single “FUFN (F*** U For Now)”, JADE encouraged the crowd to chant “F*** You” in response to numerous items on her ‘F*** you’ list, including the Harry Potter author.
In a 2025 interview with Stylist Magazine, the “Plastic Box” hitmaker explained why she refuses to be silent in the face of an increasingly hostile climate for trans people.
“We’re seeing an attack on the trans community, and I have a very big LGBTQ+ fanbase, I can’t sit back and not be vocal about defending that community. I’m happy to pay the consequences if it means doing the right thing,” she said.
Speaking to Rose, JADE said that it’s partly her Yemen-Egyptian heritage that inspires her speak out against injustice.
“I do pipe up a lot if I don’t think something’s right or if I see someone that needs an ally in any form, not just with the community, but in any sense. I think I’ve always been the type to pipe up if something doesn’t feel right,” she said, once again stressing that she’s not afraid of any potential backlash.
“I think when you’ve grown up a minority as well, you understand that feeling, whether that’s being a misfit or being othered, you understand what that feels like and you don’t wish that on other people.
“So whether that is to do with my gay fans or the trans community or whatever it is, I think it’s kind of instilled [in] me to be that kind of person.”
JADE released her debut solo album That’s Showbiz Baby in September 2025, with the record’s deluxe edition The Encore dropping in December.
She is currently on tour across North America until 23 February, with her European tour commencing on 3 March.
By The Way…With Harriet Rose is out now.
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