Jessie J says she feels ‘so grateful’ and ‘like a little kid’ again after making her live comeback following breast cancer surgery.
The 37-year-old, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, opened her set with Domino at BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford on Saturday.
This is the first time the Price Tag legend has put on a live performance since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Jessie told fans in June, at the Capital Summertime Ball, that she had early-stage breast cancer and underwent surgery just weeks later.
A second operation is planned before the end of the year, meaning she has had to delay her world tour, which was intended to be her big comeback.
‘This is the biggest acoustic show I’ve ever done,’ Jessie told the audience.
‘Eleven weeks ago I had surgery and at the last show I played, I didn’t know what was coming next,’ she continued after being welcomed onto the main stage by actress Dame Elaine Paige.
‘I’m still recovering, but I’m just so thankful to be here. Seeing you all singing along makes me feel like a little kid again, still doing what I love.’
The concert was especially emotional as her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, was in the crowd watching his mum perform live for the very first time.
Jessie gave birth to Sky in 2023 with her partner, basketball player Chanan Colman, after going through a miscarriage in 2021.
‘Something really special is happening today,’ she said on stage. ‘My son is seeing me sing on stage for the first time.’
The two-year-old later joined Jessie on stage, waving to fans before the pair sang Happy Birthday together – a choice made because Sky already knew the words.
The moment drew huge cheers from festival-goers, with Jessie joking that the whole crowd felt ‘like family at a barbecue.’
Jessie went on to jest that the Chelmsford crowds were making her ‘very aware that (her) voice is going to get more and more Essex as this goes on.’
Before singing her new single, Living My Best Life, Jessie shared that she received her diagnosis just two weeks before the track was released.
‘People said we should stop everything, put things on hold,’
‘But that’s not life. Life is standing in the storm, putting up your umbrella and moving forward. For me, music is a healer – it’s what gets me up in the morning. And if my songs can help someone else on a hard day, that means everything.’
She added: ‘This song is called Living My Best Life – and that’s what I’m doing every day. None of us know when our last day will be, so hug the people you love hard and make the most of every moment.’
Jessie has postponed her UK and European tour dates until April 2026 and cancelled the US leg altogether.
Her latest health battle adds to a long history of medical struggles.
She was diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffered a minor stroke at 18, and temporarily lost her hearing in 2020.
Despite this, Jessie has remained one of Britain’s biggest pop stars.
She has three UK number-one singles – Domino, Price Tag and Bang Bang.
The former Voice UK Judge also won four Mobo Awards in 2011, along with the Brit Award for Rising Star.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
