Jessie J Returns to Stage in Essex After Breast Cancer Surgery, Performs With Son Sky
Jessie J made an emotional return to the stage on Saturday (Sept. 6), performing at BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford, Essex, just 11 weeks after undergoing her first breast cancer surgery. The performance also marked a special milestone, as her two-year-old son Sky saw her perform live for the very first time.
Jessie J performed at BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Essex with her son Sky, marking her first live show since breast cancer surgery.
John Phillips/Getty Images
During her set, the Grammy-nominated singer spoke candidly to the audience about her recovery journey. “Some of you may know, some of you may not know, but I had breast cancer surgery 11 weeks ago today,” Jessie J said on stage, according to the Daily Mail. She added that her last performance before the procedure came at a time when her future felt uncertain, making her return even more meaningful.
Expressing gratitude, she told fans, “I’m just so grateful to be here. You have no idea how grateful I am to see so many of you singing along after all these years. It truly feels like I’m a little kid. Still doing what I love.”
The singer then shared a personal highlight from the night. “Another special thing that’s happening today is that my son is seeing me sing on stage for the first time,” she revealed. Wearing protective headphones, Sky not only joined his mother on stage but also charmed the crowd by singing “Happy Birthday” into the microphone, fan footage showed.
Jessie J first announced her breast cancer diagnosis in June, revealing she had been diagnosed in April with an early stage of the disease. She underwent surgery during the summer and experienced a brief setback when an infection required further medical care. Tests in July confirmed the cancer had not spread, and the singer thanked her fans for their support throughout her recovery.
Saturday’s performance also featured her new song “Living My Best Life,” which Jessie J explained took on deeper meaning after her diagnosis. “I was diagnosed literally two weeks before this song was released,” she said. “Everyone said, ‘Let’s stop, let’s just put everything on hold,’ and I said, ‘That’s not what life’s about.’”
She continued, “Life is about standing in the storm but holding up your umbrella and just keep moving forward. And music, for me, is a healer. It keeps me wanting to wake up in the morning and makes me excited about life.”
Jessie J told the audience that performing and creating music brings her strength, while also offering hope to fans navigating their own challenges. Her postponed fall tour is expected to resume after her second surgery, scheduled later this year.
