Former Little Mix Star Jesy Nelson and Fiancé Zion Foster Split Up
After four years of relationship and a recent engagement, Jesy Nelson and Zion Foster have called time on their relationship. The split comes as a result of the life-altering diagnosis of their twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1.
SMA Diagnosis Shocks Parents
Jesy, 34, is no longer wearing her engagement ring, which she received just four months ago. The couple, who first started dating in 2022 after being friends for years, had announced their pregnancy with identical twins in January 2025. Unfortunately, the pregnancy was soon classified as high-risk when the twins were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition affecting identical twins who share a placenta.
High-Risk Pregnancy and Early Diagnosis
Jesy underwent in-utero surgery and spent several months under medical supervision before the twins were born prematurely in May. The journey took a more challenging turn when Jesy’s mother, Janice, noticed the girls showing limited leg movements, leading to the diagnosis of SMA Type 1 – the most severe form of the disease, which affects muscle strength and movement.
Understanding SMA: A Rare and Severe Condition
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare genetic disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness. Symptoms can include floppy or weak arms and legs, as well as swallowing and breathing difficulties. If untreated, babies with SMA Type 1 have a life expectancy of just two years. Early intervention is critical in limiting the long-term impacts of the disease.
Impact on the Twins
Despite receiving treatment, including a one-off gene-therapy infusion approved by the NHS, it is now unlikely that Ocean and Story will regain their neck strength. The disease has caused nerve cells to die, leading to progressive muscle weakness. The twins are currently under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital in central London.
United in Co-Parenting
Despite the split, sources close to the couple confirm that Jesy and Zion remain friends and are fully focused on their daughters. “Their priority continues to be the well-being of their daughters,” a source said. The couple is fully united in co-parenting and remains committed to supporting each other through this challenging time.
Campaigning for Awareness and Change
Jesy is now working tirelessly to raise awareness of SMA and campaigning for the condition to be added to the NHS newborn heel-prick test, which currently screens for ten other conditions. Had the twins been tested and treated earlier, there might have been a chance to avoid some of the disability caused by the disease.
Appearing Solo on ITV’s This Morning
Days after posting an emotional video on social media about her twins’ health battle, Jesy appeared solo on ITV’s This Morning. She shared her hopes for her daughters, saying, “I truly believe that my girls will defy all odds. And with the right help, they will.”
Support and Solidarity
The story of Jesy Nelson and her twins has touched many, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for SMA. As the campaign for adding SMA to the NHS newborn test gains momentum, the hope is that more children can receive the care they need sooner, improving their quality of life and prognosis.
