JADE’s Main Pop Girl Moment Has Arrived. What’s Next?

Two years after her solo debut, JADE is reaching a new audience with “Angel of My Dreams”. But will she turn this moment into a lasting success?

When Kylie Jenner stepped onto the Victoria’s Secret runway wearing a record-breaking, $50 million Fantasy Bra, all eyes were on her. But the song accompanying her was the real showstopper. ‘Angel of My Dreams,’ the 2024 debut single from British singer and Little Mix alum, JADE, soundtracked the moment with its theatrical production and boisterous pop vocals. After more than two years pursuing a solo career, JADE is finally a part of the cultural conversation and is being introduced to a whole new audience.

Before her rise to fame, Jade Thirlwall was a normal teenager from South Shields, England, with a dream of making it in the music industry. In 2008, Jade auditioned for The X-Factor UK, making it to boot camp before being eliminated. Three years later in 2011, she re-auditioned for the show, and was placed in a group with Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson. Together, they made up Little Mix and ended up winning the eighth series of the show.

Over the next decade, Little Mix would establish themselves as one of Britain’s most successful girl groups, gracing us with hits like “Black Magic” and “Shout Out to My Ex.” The group’s success made them household names of the 2010s, but in 2022, the group announced an indefinite hiatus so each member could pursue individual projects.

For JADE, stepping out on her own meant starting her career over from scratch in an industry that had only known her as one-fourth of a group. While Little Mix attained a loyal fanbase, creating a new, distinct musical identity means stepping into uncharted territories.

Enter “Angel of My Dreams”

Released on July 19, 2024, as the leading single off her debut album, “That’s Showbiz, Baby!,” the track marks JADE’s official solo debut, and it’s nothing short of magic. Sampling Sandie Shaw’s 1967 hit “Puppet on a String,” the eccentric power ballad explores the idea of fame, control, and the complicated relationship between an artist and the industry that shaped them. In an interview with Genius, JADE describes the song as a “love letter” to the music industry, reflecting on her love-hate relationship with the business. After years of experiencing its highs and lows, she wanted to capture both her obsession with performing and the less glamorous realities of maintaining a career in pop music.

Before her big viral moment, JADE was already making strides to establish herself as a solo artist. In 2025, “That’s Showbiz, Baby!,” peaked at No.3 on the UK Singles Chart. That same year, she won Best Pop Act at The BRIT Awards, becoming the first Little Mix member to take home a BRIT as a solo act.

More than two years after its release, “Angel of My Dreams” is reaching a new audience. Its placement at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was a fitting match for a song that feels just as at home in pop culture as it does in fashion. The renewed attention brought JADE a major milestone: on Nov. 3 2026, “Angel of My Dreams” debuted at No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her first entry on the US chart.

While the Hot 100 debut is a big win for JADE, it's also an opportunity to introduce herself to an entirely new audience. Until recently, her solo career has been centered in the UK, but now that she has made her way onto US charts, there's an opportunity to turn those new listeners into actual fans.

So, what’s next? “Angel of My Dreams” made an unforgettable first impression, but can JADE follow it up with something that gets people just as excited? With her debut album already out in the world, JADE has a solid foundation to build on. It's about giving longtime fans and new listeners a reason to stick around, while continuing to build on the success of ‘That’s Showbiz, Baby! ’.

If her solo career so far is any indication, JADE isn’t interested in playing it safe. From the release of her debut album to the viral resurgence of ‘Angel of My Dreams’, she’s given audiences plenty of reasons to take her seriously as a solo artist. While we don’t know what JADE has up her sleeve, her next moves will say a lot about whether this moment is the beginning of a permanent spot on the pop-princess totem pole or just a brief moment in the spotlight.

Can one hit launch a lasting career? Leave a comment below!