Little Mix sensation Jade Thirlwall, a Fearless voice unafraid to speak her mind, has recently taken The 1975's lead singer Matty Healy to task over his choice to steer clear of political discussions in his music. During an open and heartfelt interview with The Guardian, Thirlwall vocalized her disappointment regarding Healy's stance, stating, "I don't believe one can be a pop artist with blinders on. I heard Matty Healy declare his desire to stay non-political, and I found that deeply disappointing."
Thirlwall didn't pull any punches, calling out the privilege that permits Healy to adopt a neutral position on politics. "It's incredibly easy for someone who is white, straight, and deeply privileged to say such things. Good for you, mate!" she remarked, emphasizing the disparities in their approaches to societal matters.
As an ardent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Free Palestine, and various other causes, Thirlwall firmly believes that artists have a crucial role to play in using their platforms to speak up on pivotal issues. Her own performance at Glastonbury this year stood as a testament to her dedication to employing her voice for a cause. She led the masses in an fiery chant of "Fuck you" directed at political reforms, welfare slashes, the silencing of protests, and the arms trade, demonstrating her unwavering bravery in taking a stand. "I was braced for backlash from a certain crowd," she admitted, anticipating criticism from those who disagreed with her viewpoints.
Thirlwall's propensity to voice her opinions on politics isn't a recent development. Back in 2015, she openly expressed her disappointment over parliament's decision to bomb Isis targets in Syria on the Little Mix Twitter account. "I landed in a bit of hot water for that," she recalled, yet her passion for the subject compelled her to share her thoughts. Her Arab heritage and personal encounters with Islamophobia have shaped her perspective on Middle Eastern issues.
