Jordan Stephens breaks silence on ‘very tough’ split from Jade Thirlwall

Jordan Stephens has spoken publicly for the first time about his reported split from Jade Thirlwall, admitting that navigating heartbreak while under the spotlight has been far from easy.

The 34-year-old Rizzle Kicks musician addressed the situation during the latest episode of the Miss Me? podcast, where he co-hosts alongside broadcaster Miquita Oliver. Although Stephens did not go into detail about the end of the relationship, he acknowledged that the past few weeks have been emotionally challenging and said he still has not fully processed everything. 

“It’s been very tough,” Stephens admitted, explaining that he feels uncomfortable seeing his private life become a topic of public discussion. He said that while he values being honest with listeners, there are limits to what he is willing to share, especially when another person’s privacy is involved. 

Reports of Stephens’ breakup with former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall emerged last week, with several outlets claiming the couple quietly ended their six-year relationship earlier this year. According to reports, the decision was mutual, and the pair remain on good terms despite going their separate ways. Neither Stephens nor Thirlwall has officially confirmed the details of the split beyond Jordan’s recent comments. 

During the podcast, Stephens reflected on the difficulty of experiencing heartbreak in the public eye. He said that relationships are deeply personal and that having strangers speculate about them can make an already painful experience even harder to navigate. While he hinted that he may speak more openly in the future, he stressed that now is not the right time because emotions are still raw. 

Stephens and Thirlwall began dating in 2020 after connecting during the COVID-19 lockdown. Over the years, they became one of British pop culture’s most admired couples, often supporting each other’s careers while keeping much of their relationship away from the spotlight. They also collaborated creatively, with Stephens contributing to Thirlwall’s solo music following Little Mix’s hiatus. 

Rumors of trouble in their relationship grew after fans noticed the couple had not appeared together publicly for several months. Social media users also pointed out that photos and videos featuring one another had been removed from their accounts, adding to speculation before reports of the split surfaced. 

Despite the attention surrounding his personal life, Stephens made it clear that he is focused on healing and moving forward. His candid comments offered a rare glimpse into the emotional impact of life after a long-term relationship while highlighting the challenges celebrities face when deeply personal moments become public conversation.

For now, both Stephens and Thirlwall appear to be concentrating on their respective careers, leaving fans to respect their privacy as they navigate the next chapter of their lives.