Little Mix alum Jesy Nelson has shared some personal and heartbreaking news with fans about her twin daughters.
The 34-year-old revealed in an Instagram video posted on Saturday that her 8-month-old baby girls Ocean Jade and Story Monroe have been diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA).
“We were told they would probably never walk, they would probably never get the strength in their necks back, so they would be disabled,” explained Nelson, who broke down in tears during the video. “So the best thing we can do right now is get them treated and just hope for the best.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that causes worsening muscle weakness. The clinic further explains that the condition ultimately causes certain muscles to wear out over time. Although there is no cure for SMA, they emphasize that treatments and medications can help manage symptoms.
“This is the most serious muscle disease a baby can develop,” Nelson said in the video. “In the two weeks since I was diagnosed…I have had to put my children on ventilators and do a lot of things that a mother would never do to her child.”
Nelson detailed that her mother showed early symptoms. “A few months ago, my mom noticed that the girls weren’t moving their legs as much as they should.”
Nelson and her fiancé Zion Foster, 27, had their girls born prematurely after a high-risk pregnancy, but the couple were initially reassured that everything would be okay.
“We were told, ‘They’re great, they’re healthy, everything’s fine,'” Nelson recalled. “Then he started showing some signs that he was having a hard time eating the right food. Gradually he was getting less and less food.”
“If you watch this video and think your child is exhibiting these symptoms, please take your child to a doctor, to a hospital. Every minute counts, and your child needs treatment,” she said. “And the sooner we get this, the better off their lives will be.”
“If treatment is not received in time, the baby’s life expectancy will not exceed two years.”
Nelson left Little Mix in 2020. In late 2021, all of Nelson’s bandmates unfollowed her on Instagram after she was accused of using extortion money in the music video for her debut solo single “Boys,” which featured Nicki Minaj.
Nelson took a step back from the spotlight after receiving backlash for his appearance and singing style in music videos. She and Foster welcomed twins on May 15, 2025.
