Jessie J has explained her carefully-considered outfit at the Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday night.
The singer, 37, delivered an emotional performance at the Royal Albert Hall before sharing a hug and a poignant conversation with the Princess of Wales, 43, as they bonded over their brave battles with cancer.
Jessie took to Instagram on Thursday morning to talk about the evening, and was keen to explain why she chose to wear a baggy black hoodie for the red carpet event.
She told fans that the ‘personal and special’ song she sang on stage, I’ll Never Know Why, was written about her close friend and security guard Dave Last who took his own life seven years ago.
‘His name was Dave but people called him Lasty. He was my security for many years and my big brother,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘After every show he would say “you got a hoodie?”
‘And we would take a walk. For my mental health and his too. To get some fresh air and just talk the day over. Man I miss those walks and talks.’
‘So I didn’t wear a gown or a tight fancy dress. I wore an over sized tracksuit in honour of him with “you got a hoodie” Lasty, embroidered on the back. And I love you on the hood.’
Jessie added that she also wanted to ‘represent the people at home watching the show in sweats, on the sofa feeling lost and alone’ through her outfit.
‘I know that’s what I throw on when I feel low. I feel you I see you I love you we want you here.’
I hope this song can support anyone who has experienced the loss of someone in anyway. Grief is a horrible journey and I know music can be a holding hand always. I also pray this song can remind thosewho feel like no one cares or loves them that we do.’
‘I can’t imagine how lonely and hard it must feel to not want to be in the world anymore. But I am hugging you and sending you the love and light you deserve to feel and hope you catch it and hold onto it.’
It was an emotional evening for Jessie who after her performance shared a conversation with the Princess of Wales.
The Princess Of Wales revealed earlier this year that she is in remission from a undisclosed form of cancer, while Jessie underwent a mastectomy in June as part of her treatment for breast cancer.
The two women embraced and spoke about the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Jessie told her: ‘I just had breast cancer. I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective.’
The performance marked the sixth time William and Kate have attended the show together, and the princess’s first since her cancer recovery.
Of her cancer battle, Kate recently said: ‘You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatments done, then it’s like, “I can crack on, get back to normal,” but actually the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.’
Describing a cancer diagnosis as ‘life changing’ and the treatment and recovery a ‘rollercoaster’, the Princess spoke of the importance of a holistic ‘mind, body and spirit’ approach.
The Royal Variety Performance also marked a pivotal moment for Jessie.
The singer revealed last month doctors had postponed her second cancer surgery despite her cancelling her tour to go under the knife.
