Jessica Ellen Cornish, better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she studied at the BRITSchool before singing with Gut Records and striking a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing where she wrote for artists such as Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus.
Jessie J was born on March 27, 1988 in London and attending Colin’s PerformingArtsSchool as an 11-year old was cast in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of Whistle Down the Wind. She was educated at MayfieldHigh School and at the age of 16 she began studying at the BRITSchool and at 17 she joined a girl group named Soul Deep.
Jessie J had a happy and full of adventure childhood – swimming in the rain, running race with her dad to any visible object nearby, sleeping at friends home and camping in the garden in order to “survive and become stronger”. “My dad often took me and my two older sisters, Hannah and Rachel, and drove to swim and then go to Wimpy’s restaurant afterwards for chips and milkshakes” – a singer remembers.
As her father, a girl from a young age has irregular heartbeat. There were many moments when Jessie J had to endure serious pain. Most of her childhood she had to be on beta-blocker (drugs which try to help the heart get into a proper rhythm). However, the side effects meant she had low blood pressure. The performer remembers collapsing a lot and having seizures. She was a sickly, skinny girl who had a slight green tinge to her skin because of the drugs and who was always in and out of hospital.
Once, as an 11 year old she was, she met a boy of the same age, and wrote the song “Big White Room” about time. At night, she woke up and heard him pray because he was having a heart transplant the next day. The girl admits that it was the first time she had really seen prayer or religion so close up and actually seen someone asking for his life to be saved. The boy was on his knees, with all these wires hanging out of him, praying. He passed away the next day. Every time, when Jessie sings the song “Big White Room”, in her head she dedicates it to that boy.
At school, she didn’t sing, because did not feel any incentive or, especially, support. According to Jessie J, music teacher was the biggest dimwitted and Jessie J couldn’t attend school choir, where he (music teacher) also was in charge of, because her voice was so loud. Singer admits that it was not the best teenage time, but she tried to ignore and sing anywhere and anytime she wish. Jessie didn’t feel her singing had been encouraged at the local secondary school, but when she auditioned for The BRIT School for performing arts, she fell in love with the freedom of it all. She was so happy that she was ready to work hard and learn more about what she loved. During studies Jessie J most communicate with Adele. Amy Winehouse was already BRIT old girl by then from whom Jessie J had the opportunity to watch and learn a lot.
Jessie J successfully tried herself of hair model in “Vidal Sassoon” company. “It was strange when my big face with the multi-colored hairstyle advertised on Oxford Street buses. However, this was a job which money was invested in my studies. In addition, I travelled – Japan, Spain, Germany, – even if I did have silly hair.” – said Jessie J.
While studying, singing and hard working not only as a model but even at weekends in toy store “Hamleys”, Jessie J getting more and more tired and began to weak. Unfortunately, came the moment when right side of her body suffered with pain, then the chest, for which it has become difficult to breathe. Doctor found to 18 year old girl a minor stroke and put her in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Later there was still needed the time until the singer will regain strength and recover all the muscles. Now, girl’s health remains stable for a long time, and she try more care of herself, evaluating realistically her potential, taking time to rest and drinking vitamins.
From 2005, Jessie J started her most active music career. She was signed to Gut Records, recording an album for the label, but the company went bankrupt before any material was released.She then found success as a songwriter, gaining a Sony ATV publishing contract.She wrote for Miley Cyrus song “Party in the USA” with producers Doctor Luke and Claude Kelly. She also wrote songs for artists like Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown (with who concerted in Europe), Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera. Jessie J song “Sexy Silk” was in film “Easy A” (2010) soundtrack.
After signing with Universal, Jessie J came to prominence following the release of her debut single, “Do It Like a Dude”, which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Charts. After topping the charts in nineteen countries with the song “Price Tag”, she released her debut album, Who You Are which charted at number two in the UK. Other releases from the album included “Nobody’s Perfect”, “Who’s Laughing Now”, and “Who You Are” which all charted within the top 20 in the UK, but the release of fifth single “Domino” spawned more international chart success, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and becoming her second UK number one. The seventh single to be released from Who You Are, “LaserLight”, became her sixth top ten single from the album, making her the first British female artist to have six top ten singles on one album. In addition to his musical career, she also judged on the British television show The Voice UK.
It is important to mention that Jessie J has already published her autobiography “Nice to Meet You”, where talks about the things that are important to her and how she knows her fame won’t last her forever.
Citing various influences, Jessie J is recognized for an unconventional musical and performance style that mixes soul vocals with contemporary R&B, pop, electro pop, and hip-hop beats.
