In a development that has left fans reeling, former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has confirmed the end of her engagement to Zion Foster, just weeks after revealing the devastating diagnosis of their eight-month-old twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster. The breakup, reported across major outlets on January 19, 2026, comes at a time when Nelson faces the immense challenges of parenting children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1—a rare, progressive genetic condition that severely weakens muscles and often requires lifelong care.

The couple, who began dating in early 2022 after years of friendship, welcomed their twins prematurely on May 15, 2025, following a high-risk pregnancy complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). This required emergency in-utero surgery and weeks of hospitalization for Nelson. The babies spent their first ten weeks in intensive care before finally going home. Despite the rocky start, the family appeared united, with Nelson and Foster announcing their engagement in September 2025. Foster frequently praised Nelson as a “superwoman” and described the twins as “little warriors” in heartfelt social media posts.

The turning point came earlier this month when Nelson shared an emotional Instagram video detailing the twins’ SMA Type 1 diagnosis. SMA Type 1, the most severe form of the disease, affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, leading to profound weakness, difficulties with swallowing, breathing, and head control. Without early treatment, life expectancy is often limited to under two years. Nelson explained that doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital assessed the girls and delivered the grim prognosis: “They will probably never be able to walk. They would probably never regain their neck strength. They will be disabled.” She added that the twins would likely spend their lives in wheelchairs, relying on ongoing support for basic functions.

Nelson emphasized the urgency of treatment, noting the girls had received a one-off gene therapy infusion—an NHS-approved intervention that replaces the missing SMN1 gene and halts further muscle loss in remaining functional areas. “If they didn’t have it, they would die,” she said tearfully. While the treatment offers hope and has extended life for many children, it cannot reverse damage already done. Nelson described her home transforming into a “hospital,” complete with breathing machines, feeding tubes, constant physiotherapy, and medical equipment. She admitted grieving the life she envisioned for her daughters while clinging to optimism: “They’re still smiling, they’re still happy. They have each other… I truly believe my girls will defy all the odds.”

The diagnosis prompted Nelson to launch a passionate campaign for SMA inclusion in routine newborn screening in the UK. She appeared on This Morning, breaking down as she discussed the impact of delayed detection and met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to advocate for change. Showing videos of children with SMA—one wheelchair-bound, another able to walk due to earlier intervention—Nelson highlighted how timely treatment could dramatically alter outcomes. Streeting appeared moved, promising to push for improvements.

Amid this advocacy, reports emerged that Nelson and Foster had quietly ended their romantic relationship after four years. Sources described Nelson as “devastated” but stressed that the pair remain “fully united” in co-parenting. They are prioritizing the twins’ well-being above all else, with no public confirmation from either party beyond the initial reports. Nelson was spotted without her engagement ring during a recent TV appearance, fueling speculation that had been building since the diagnosis announcement.

The timing has stunned fans and observers alike. Just days before the split reports surfaced, Foster posted affectionate content calling Nelson his everything and celebrating the twins’ resilience. Their on-and-off history—marked by previous breakups and reconciliations—had seemed stabilized by parenthood and engagement. Yet the immense strain of managing a high-needs pregnancy, premature birth, NICU stays, and now a life-altering diagnosis for both children may have proven overwhelming.

SMA Type 1 presents daily challenges: progressive muscle wasting, respiratory support (Story reportedly uses a breathing machine at night), feeding difficulties, and the emotional toll of knowing milestones like walking or independent head control may never occur. Nelson has spoken of learning medical care rapidly, from tube feeding to physiotherapy routines, while balancing grief and gratitude that her girls are “still here.” She has vowed to “shout from the rooftops” for awareness, sharing stories of children who exceeded expectations through early intervention and determination.

Public response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with fans praising Nelson’s courage in sharing such a personal struggle. Former Little Mix bandmates and celebrities have offered messages of solidarity, while advocacy groups for SMA have amplified her calls for newborn screening. The upcoming Amazon Prime series Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, set to premiere February 13, 2026, will document her motherhood journey, including the twins’ early challenges—though the split adds a new layer of complexity to the narrative.

As Nelson prepares to shoulder much of the caregiving largely on her own, the focus remains on Ocean and Story’s future. Despite the prognosis, Nelson holds onto hope, inspired by stories of resilience and the unbreakable bond between her daughters. The split, while heartbreaking, underscores a shared commitment to their girls amid unimaginable hardship. For a mother who once navigated global fame with Little Mix, this chapter is profoundly personal—one of love, loss, advocacy, and unwavering determination to give her children every possible chance.