Singer Jade Thirlwall and musician Jordan Stephens have reportedly ended their six-year relationship. The couple, who had been together since meeting during lockdown, have allegedly removed traces of each other from Instagram.
Their relationship was noted for its unconventional nature, with Stephens often speaking openly about their sex life and Thirlwall's allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. In an interview with Attitude magazine, Stephens described Thirlwall as "as close to a gay man as humanly possible," attributing their closeness partly to his own confidence in his sexuality and masculinity.
Stephens previously shared intimate details about their relationship, recounting a particularly intense sexual encounter in 2021 where both partners passed out for approximately 25 minutes afterward. He also spoke about his appreciation for foreplay, telling Bricks Magazine that he found the tension between men and women in that scenario interesting and expressed disappointment that some people did not share his enthusiasm.
Thirlwall appeared to reference their sex life in her song "Lip Service," with lyrics such as "Makin' your way down... I just want your lip service."
Stephens has also been open about his past infidelity, admitting to cheating on a previous partner, a mistake he detailed in his book "Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs." He described this experience as a catalyst for personal growth and self-improvement, particularly during the lockdown period.
He noted that Thirlwall had not seen the version of him that existed before he worked through significant intimacy issues. He recalled a time when even simple affirmations of love could trigger anxiety, contrasting it with his current relationship where he values Thirlwall's constant expressions of love.
Sources close to the couple suggest that while the separation was difficult, both are focusing on their respective careers. Friends reportedly hold out hope for a reconciliation, though the situation remains sensitive. The couple's last joint public appearance was at the Brit Awards in February, and they notably did not mark their sixth anniversary on social media as they had in previous years.