The Rizzle Kicks star has spoken publicly for the first time since his separation from the former Little Mix singer, saying he will share more when “things have settled”.
Jordan Stephens has spoken publicly for the first time about his split from Jade Thirlwall.
Describing the end of their six-year relationship as “complex and difficult” while saying he wants to protect those involved before speaking in greater detail, the 34-year-old Rizzle Kicks musician and writer spoke out after he separated from former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall, 33, earlier this year after six years together.
Reports of the split emerged earlier this month, with the pair understood to have ended their relationship after what friends described as “frank discussions” about their future.
Jordan addressed the separation during the latest episode of the Miss Me? podcast, which he co-hosts with broadcaster Miquita Oliver.
Meanwhile, Jade has continued preparations for upcoming live performances as she builds her solo career following the success of her debut album campaign.
The singer has remained in the spotlight after launching her solo career following Little Mix’s hiatus, with recent singles and festival appearances marking the next chapter after the group became one of Britain’s most successful pop acts with hits including Shout Out to My Ex, Black Magic, Sweet Melody and Woman Like Me.
Speaking on the Miss Me? podcast, Jordan said: “I think I’m uncomfortable with even the concept of it being out.
“I’ve never experienced I’ve never been in a high profile relationship really so I think I’m very conflicted because I definitely pride myself on being open and transparent and I like to pull apart experiences of my own in the hope that it can create insight or like create conversation.
“But I think this is a difficult one because if I’m to believe how quickly speculation can arise. I’m always like a couple words or sentences away from either making something worse.”
Jordan suggested he would discuss the relationship in more detail when the time felt right.
He said: “I’m definitely going to talk and write I think once things have settled a little bit.
“Obviously I’m not going to avoid something that’s quite obvious that’s been a thing. I don’t want to like pretend like that isn’t happening or hasn’t happened but I also want to make it clear that it’s so bizarre.
“I’m a very transparent person and things will come out when necessary and I don’t mean to be too cryptic, it really isn’t that deep, well I mean it is deep for me but I mean I think it’s really important that whatever you may think as an everyday normal human.
“Like how complex and difficult relationships can be, there’s no difference, you don’t get any exemptions. There’s no unusual subjective feeling when you also have followers.
“It just doesn’t work like that. Grief does not or anything like that or any powerful emotion doesn’t discriminate.”
Jordan added his priority was protecting those closest to him.
He said: “My main point is I want to protect people. I don’t want to quite get into it.”
Jordan also thanked listeners for their support following news of the split.
He added: “Honestly, I’ve still not processed it. I will say that I think, overall, people are kind. I have had some really kind and interesting things that have arisen.
“In truth things go up and down and in and out all the time.”
Since the separation became public, Jordan has documented a solo trip on Instagram, while Jade has focused on rehearsals and live performances ahead of a run of concerts.
Before news of the split emerged, Jade appeared to refer to personal difficulties while discussing work on her second solo album during an interview with The Fader.
She said: “Right now, I don’t even know where it’s heading. I’m just writing stuff. Whatever I’m going through at the minute, like privately, I’m sort of putting pen to paper.”
Jade added: “I think this is the exciting phase or the experimental phase, where you don’t know what it’s going to be yet.
“For me, that’s sometimes the most magical part as an artist when you’re writing music. Come and ask me in a few months’ time and we’ll see where we’re at.”
According to The Sun, friends remain hopeful the former couple could reconcile.
The publication quoted a source as saying: “Jade and Jordan had a very serious and loving relationship but recently they have had some frank discussions about their future and have decided to separate.
“It’s not been an easy time but they’ve both been throwing themselves into work.
“Their friends adore them as a couple and are really hoping they get back together but it’s still very raw at the moment.”
Jordan Stephens says split is ‘complex and difficult’ after Jade Thirlwall breakup
