Jesy Nelson Shares Heartfelt Emotions in First Interview Since Opening Up About Her Twins’ Journey: ‘I Just Want to Be Their Mom’

Jesy Nelson with her twins and her fiancé, Zion Foster (left); singer talking on ‘This Morning’.
Credit :

Jesy Nelson/Instagram; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

NEED TO KNOW

• Jesy Nelson cried in her first interview since revealing that her 8-month-old twin daughters received a rare diagnosis.
• Nelson’s daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1.
• “We’ve been told that they will probably never walk,” Nelson said on the U.K. talk show This Morning.

Jesy Nelson became emotional during her appearance on the U.K. talk show This Morning as she discussed the health of her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, aged eight months. This marked her first interview since sharing their rare diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1.

On January 7, Nelson, 34, expressed feeling “overwhelmed” by the public’s response following her revelation in an Instagram video on January 4.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, SMA is a genetic condition characterized by worsening muscle weakness. It has five subtypes that vary in severity and age of onset. While there is no cure, certain therapies can manage symptoms.

Nelson welcomed her daughters with fiancé Zion Foster, 27, on May 15, 2025. During her interview, she shared the heartbreaking news, stating, “We’ve been told that they will probably never walk, they’ll probably never regain their neck strength. They are going to be in wheelchairs.”

However, Nelson found solace in the belief that other families have faced similar challenges and that some children have achieved surprising milestones despite their diagnoses. “There’s been so many stories where parents have been told this and then their children have gone on to do incredible things, so I believe that you’ve just got to manifest this into existence,” she added.

The singer praised her daughters’ resilience, saying, “They are still smiling, they’re still happy. They have each other… that’s the main thing that I’m so grateful for.” She emphasized her commitment to providing them with positive energy, stating, “All I can do is just try my best to be there for them.”

Jesy Nelson on ‘This Morning’ on Jan 7, 2026.

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Nelson revealed the drastic changes in her daily life, stating, “If you came to my house, it looks like a hospital. My whole hallway is filled up with medical stuff.” She disclosed that one of her daughters, Story, requires a breathing machine at night due to her weakness. Nelson also outlined the extensive medical care her twins require, including cough assist machines and feeding tubes.

The emotional toll of caring for her daughters weighed heavily on Nelson, as she admitted to struggles with the dual role of mother and caregiver. “I just want to be their mom, I don’t want to be a nurse,” she said, fighting back tears.

Nelson noted the importance of early diagnosis, stating that timely intervention could be life-changing for children with SMA. Reflecting on her own experience, she mentioned, “I actually knew and saw all of the signs before I even knew what SMA was.” She emphasized the need for parents to focus on their children’s unique journeys rather than comparing milestones.

Jesy Nelson and Zion Foster with their baby daughters.

Jesy Nelson/Instagram

Nelson gave birth to her daughters at 31 weeks and expressed her initial fears during their NICU stay. “The only thing I was really concerned about at that time was like checking their temperature, making sure they’re still breathing,” she recalled. This journey has been both daunting and heart-wrenching for Nelson, highlighting her desire for more awareness around SMA and early detection methods.

In a recent Instagram video, Nelson announced plans to start a petition advocating for the inclusion of SMA screening in the standard newborn heel prick test in the U.K. “It is the most severe muscular disease that a baby can get… if the disease goes untreated, life expectancy is lowered to two years of age,” she explained to her followers.

Nelson has described the past few months as “the most heartbreaking time of my life,” voicing a sense of loss for the life she envisioned for her children. Nevertheless, she remains hopeful, stating, “I truly believe that my girls will defy all the odds and, with the right help, they will fight this.”