Jessie J Bio
Jessica Ellen Cornish (born 27 March 1988), known professionally as Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. After signing with Republic Records she rose to prominence with her debut single “Do It Like a Dude,” which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, followed by the international hit “Price Tag” in 2011. Her debut album Who You Are (2011) reached number two in the UK and produced six top-ten UK singles, including “Domino.” Jessie J’s music mixes soul vocals with contemporary R&B, electropop and hip-hop influences. She has won the 2011 Critics’ Choice BRIT Award, the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, and the sixth season of the Chinese competition I Am a Singer in 2018.
Early Life and Background
Jessica Ellen Cornish was born on 27 March 1988 in Chadwell Heath in the London Borough of Redbridge, London, to Rose (née Archer) and Stephen Cornish. She was educated at Mayfield High School in the London Borough of Redbridge, an area that was part of Essex until 1965, and she has described herself as an Essex girl. Cornish has two elder sisters, both of whom were head girls at school, and she has spoken about growing up feeling different from her more academically focused siblings.
As a child, Cornish attended Colin’s Performing Arts School, and at the age of 11 she was cast in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of Whistle Down the Wind. She subsequently joined the National Youth Music Theatre and appeared in their 2002 production of The Late Sleepers. In 2003, at age 15, she won Best Pop Singer on the television show Britain’s Brilliant Prodigies, performing under her birth name.
At the age of 16, Cornish began studying at the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, and at 17 she joined a girl group named Soul Deep. She graduated in the BRIT School class of 2006 alongside singers Adele and Leona Lewis. She was also diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome at age 11 and has spoken publicly about suffering a minor stroke at 18 that was attributed to the condition.
Path to Music
Jessie J began recording her debut studio album in 2005 and was signed to Gut Records, but the label went bankrupt before any material could be released. She then built a career as a songwriter, securing a publishing contract with Sony ATV and writing for artists including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus, including co-writing “Party in the U.S.A.” During this period she also served as the support act for Cyndi Lauper on the UK dates of Lauper’s 2008 Bring Ya to the Brink tour and was invited on stage for performances of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”
After her management changed to Sarah Stennett and Nadia Khan of Crown Music, Jessie J signed with Lava Records as part of a joint venture with Universal Republic. Her early industry showcase impressed several labels, and Lava president Jason Flom became an early champion after being directed to her MySpace page by her publisher. The deal set the stage for the release of her debut single in late 2010 and her rapid rise to international attention in 2011.
Jessie J Career
Early Career (2005–2010)
Between 2005 and 2010, Jessie J worked primarily behind the scenes as a songwriter and built a portfolio of cuts for other recording artists. Her songwriting work on “Party in the U.S.A.” for Miley Cyrus helped establish her reputation inside the industry, while her performances as Cyndi Lauper’s UK support act in 2008 gave her valuable live experience. She also spent two years as part of the girl group Soul Deep before deciding to pursue a solo career.
Although many fans first encountered her through YouTube, Jessie J was signed to a record label for four years before her first video was posted online. Her early industry recognition was cemented when her MySpace page caught the attention of Lava Records, leading to her eventual signing with Lava and Universal Republic and laying the foundation for her debut album.
Breakthrough (2011–2014)
Jessie J released her debut single “Do It Like a Dude” in late 2010, and it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Her follow-up single “Price Tag,” released in January 2011, became an international hit, topping the charts in nineteen countries including the United Kingdom and reaching number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album Who You Are, released on 25 February 2011, peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and produced six top-ten UK singles, including “Domino,” making her the first British female solo artist to achieve that feat from a single studio album.
Her second studio album, Alive, arrived in 2013 and peaked within the top five of the UK Albums Chart, producing the singles “Wild” and “It’s My Party.” Her third studio album, Sweet Talker, was released on 13 October 2014 in the UK and was preceded by the global hit “Bang Bang” with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. By January 2015, Jessie J had sold more than 20 million singles and 3 million albums worldwide.
In 2012, Jessie J became a coach on the BBC One programme The Voice UK for its first two series, and in 2015 she joined The Voice Australia as a judge and mentor. She also performed at major events including the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Concert and the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Her 2015 single “Flashlight,” recorded for the soundtrack of Pitch Perfect 2, was nominated for Best British Video at the 2016 BRIT Awards.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jessie J is best known for her debut album Who You Are (2011) and the international singles “Price Tag,” “Domino,” and “Bang Bang.” Her record of six top-ten UK singles from a single studio album remains one of her signature achievements, and her win on I Am a Singer in 2018 made her the first international artist to win the Chinese competition. She has also served as a coach on The Voice UK, The Voice Australia, and The Voice Kids UK.
Jessie J Award Nominations
Jessie J received two nominations at the 2012 BRIT Awards, for Best British Female Artist and Best British Single for “Price Tag.” Her 2015 single “Flashlight,” recorded for the Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack, was nominated for Best British Video at the 2016 BRIT Awards. Additional nominations throughout her career have recognized her work as both a performer and a songwriter for other artists.
Jessie J Awards Won
Jessie J won the Critics’ Choice BRIT Award at the 2011 BRIT Awards, becoming one of the first recipients of the prize. She was also named the winner of the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, which highlights emerging UK music talent. In 2018, she won the sixth season of the Hunan TV competition I Am a Singer, becoming the first international singer to win the show in its six-year history.
Jessie J Family
Jessie J was born to Stephen Cornish and Rose (née Archer) Cornish and grew up alongside two elder sisters, both of whom were head girls at their school. She has spoken fondly of her parents and sisters and has credited her mother with supporting her early interest in performing. Her family background in the London Borough of Redbridge and her self-identification as an Essex girl have remained part of her public persona throughout her career.
Personal Life
Since 2021, Jessie J has been in a relationship with professional basketball player Chanan Colman. In January 2023, she announced that she was pregnant with her first child, and their son was born in May 2023. In November 2021, she publicly announced that she had suffered a miscarriage.
In a Christmas Eve 2020 Instagram post, Jessie J revealed that she had been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, an inner-ear condition. In July 2024, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and in June 2025 she announced that she had undergone surgery for early-stage breast cancer. In 2014, she relocated from London to Los Angeles, California, citing work opportunities, and she continues to split her time between music projects and family life.