HangupsMusic.com – London, For most artists, a Monday morning commute on the London Underground is a mundane affair, a quiet moment of reflection before the demands of the day. But for British pop sensation Jade, a recent journey to her weekly therapy appointment was anything but ordinary. Unbeknownst to her fellow passengers, the world had just been introduced to her debut solo single, "Angel of My Dreams," in the most spectacular and unexpected fashion: soundtracking Kylie Jenner’s runway walk in a dazzling $50 million Fantasy Bra at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. A TikTok video she later shared, capturing the surreal disconnect between her everyday life and sudden global recognition, quickly amassed over 13 million views and 2.2 million likes, perfectly encapsulating the seismic shift in her career trajectory.
The news that Victoria’s Secret was interested in featuring "Angel of My Dreams," a track released two and a half years prior, had initially been met with cautious optimism. However, the sheer prominence of its placement caught Jade entirely off guard. The song, a cornerstone of her debut solo album campaign That’s Showbiz, Baby, became the anthemic backdrop to Jenner’s surprise appearance, as the reality television star glided down the catwalk adorned with elaborate white angel wings, embodying the very essence of the song’s title.
"I’m quite certain a gay man was behind that particular song choice," Jade revealed in a recent interview, expressing profound gratitude for the perfect synchronicity. "I can’t thank them enough for selecting it for that precise moment."
The impact was immediate and staggering. Since the show aired on Sunday, October 18, "Angel of My Dreams" has witnessed an astronomical 4,300 percent global increase in streams on Spotify, marking its highest single-day streaming figures on Tuesday, October 20. The track, previously a respected pop anthem, now boasts over 86 million streams on the platform. The ripple effect extended to social media, with Kylie Jenner herself sharing a post featuring the song to her colossal 381 million Instagram followers. Jade has since extended her thanks to Jenner and the Victoria’s Secret team, acknowledging the need to send a tangible token of her appreciation.
This sudden, overwhelming resurgence arrives as Jade is deeply immersed in crafting her second album. Her burgeoning to-do list now includes capitalizing on every opportunity this newfound breakthrough presents. Yet, in a curious twist of fate, she feels she has been preparing for this moment. Earlier this year, two psychics and an astrologer independently predicted a significant turn of events for her career by the end of October. "It’s genuinely insane that it’s actually come true," she mused, admitting that these spiritual consultations were sought during a personally challenging period, driven by a desperate need for optimism.
The prophecy of an imminent American breakthrough, while reassuring, was not entirely new. "I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard that," Jade recounted, recalling the constant reassurances during her 15 years in the music industry, particularly during her tenure with the wildly successful girl group Little Mix. Despite their global fame, a consistent stateside breakthrough had always eluded them. With her solo career, Jade has pushed harder than ever, fueled by an unwavering dedication to achieving genuine pop stardom.
Now, the long-held fantasy is rapidly manifesting into reality. "I’ll commit to whatever effort is required to keep this momentum going," Jade affirmed. "It’s been a truly dizzying week, and my greatest hope is that this isn’t merely a fleeting moment. It’s now my responsibility to nurture this, give it longevity, and ensure it endures as long as possible."
Reflecting on her initial reaction to seeing the fashion show, Jade confessed she hadn’t fully grasped the immense cultural weight of Kylie Jenner appearing in the iconic Fantasy Bra. "When I first woke up and saw everyone tagging me, I thought, ‘Oh my god, this is incredible! It’s the moment of the show.’" The subsequent "snowball effect" was entirely unforeseen. Yet, she believes the song’s narrative perfectly aligned with the moment. "’Angel of My Dreams,’ both in title and concept, works brilliantly for the angels on the catwalk," she explained. "But the song itself, with its themes of the constant struggle, the love-hate relationship with the industry, the fight for relevance and to remain in the spotlight – it was just perfect. A flawless execution."
Days removed from the initial shock, the reality is still sinking in. "Every artist dreams of their song taking off," she mused. "But for ‘Angel of My Dreams’ to do so two years after its release… In my mind, it was always a worldwide smash. It garnered critical acclaim and respect as a pop song at the time, and I made peace with that level of success, even though I secretly felt it deserved more."
A serendipitous moment occurred earlier this month when a fan commented on one of her videos about the resurgence of Little Mix’s "Touch," to which Jade jokingly responded, "Does that mean one of my solo songs will go viral in 10 years?" She also recalled an older interview where she expressed a wish for "Angel of My Dreams" to have "another moment in a few years’ time." "It’s eerie how I seem to have spoken it into existence," she acknowledged. "When I approved the song for Victoria’s Secret, knowing they had done ‘Fantasy’ last year, I thought it was a great platform. I had no idea it would be for that specific moment."
Jade has wasted no time in capitalizing on the viral explosion. "Oh, darling, I am absolutely milking this song for all it’s worth," she declared with refreshing candor. "I have no shame right now, and I’m proud to admit it. When something takes off, you have to hit the ground running." Her team, she described, was like "that clip in The Office where everyone’s scrambling." The outpouring of support from fans, many of whom have been with her since day one, has been particularly validating. "They’re saying, ‘Well, we were here from day one. It’s about time this happened.’ So yes, expect at least three TikToks a day from me."
Adding to the week’s incredible timing, Jade performed "Angel of My Dreams" at the Mercury Prize Awards the previous night. This performance had been planned months in advance as the grand finale of her That’s Showbiz, Baby album campaign. "What an excellent finale to a brilliant campaign," she reflected, "we couldn’t have timed it more perfectly." The performance, now imbued with the energy of the song’s resurgence, became its official live debut in this new, electrified context.
The standing ovation she received was deeply moving. "I’m getting emotional," she confessed. "I know how relentlessly I’ve worked for this, and I’ve also navigated a very challenging personal year. Standing on that stage last night, seeing everyone rise for me—Raye stood up, Olivia Dean stood up. As women in music, we understand the constant battle to push forward, remain authentic, and endure constant judgment."
The solidarity from her peers has been a powerful force. "Every time I check Instagram, I see other artists using the sound or sending me DMs saying, ‘I’m so genuinely happy this is happening for you. I know how long you’ve been waiting.’" Jade acknowledged the addictive nature of an industry where thousands comment on one’s appearance, sound, and every move. "Especially in pop, you’re constantly exposed to scrutiny, and it’s incredibly difficult not to be affected. It certainly affected me in the past. But now, I have better coping mechanisms in place."
Amidst the whirlwind, work on her second album continues. She’s had sessions with AG Cook, which she described as "really cool and easy fun," and has been collaborating extensively with Mike Sabath, who she credits with understanding her theatrical yet hyper-pop sensibilities. "It’s about merging theatricality with that in a way that feels fresh." However, she recognizes the immediate priority: "I know I need to give ‘Angel’ its second wind and dedicate all the necessary time and energy before fully transitioning into the next era." The silver lining, she notes, is the ability to work on new music while "Angel" takes flight.
Mike Sabath, her collaborator, previously spoke to Rolling Stone about the importance of prioritizing "chills" in music creation, a uniquely human element. Jade recalled "Angel of My Dreams" as one of their first collaborations that evoked that "tingly, butterfly moment." "I just wanted to create something that I knew nobody else could do," she explained. "It draws from my own story of being 18, auditioning for The X Factor, and being catapulted into stardom. I wanted it to feel like this grand winning moment, followed by the sudden drop into the music industry and having to navigate its complexities. It’s a tragically beautiful song. It’s desperate. It’s sad. It’s brutally honest. My aim was to create a timeless classic that could live on forever, not just be a flash in the pan."
The pursuit of pop stardom often presents a paradoxical challenge: the need for exposure to gain industry support versus the risk of audience oversaturation. Jade dismisses any pretense of detachment. "I’m not going to sit here and try to act cool and pretend that I don’t want it with all my heart, because I have to keep grafting for it to pay off. There’s absolutely no shame in that." She draws inspiration from female artists like Tinashe, who have persevered through independent ventures and relentless effort to achieve their breakthroughs. "Many of the biggest female artists right now have been around for a long time," Jade observed. "If that doesn’t demonstrate that hard work pays off, I don’t know what does. These women understand their craft; they’ve put in the due diligence, they’ve dedicated the hours, they’ve proven themselves repeatedly."
Her relationship with "Angel of My Dreams" and its underlying themes of stardom and industry pressures has evolved significantly over the past two years. "Coming out of a group, I felt immense pressure to prove what I could bring to the table on my own," she reflected. "I had a tumultuous time with the writing, so determined to prove myself. Now, two years later, there’s a quieter confidence. This is simply a brilliant song, and what will be, will be." She acknowledges the irony of its journey: "The song is deeply honest about the toxicity of the music industry and not clinging to relevancy, or feeling loved only when people are watching me. And then I sort of just get sucked back into that whole thing through this process."
What comes next for Jade? While she always anticipated a gradual ascent, the current surge of hype means her U.S. team will be intensely focused on radio promotion and exploring new opportunities across TV and podcasting. "It all kind of snowballs, and more and more opportunities emerge," she noted. With a trip to Los Angeles planned in a few weeks for album work, she’s strategically positioned. "For me, it’s crucial not to treat this as a singular, isolated moment. I’m aware that I’m essentially almost re-releasing my first single, so it’s about doing that authentically. I’m still figuring out what that transition will be because I’m having to adjust and adapt the original plan."
Amidst the dizzying pace of her newfound viral fame, Jade remains grounded. "I still don’t quite understand what’s happening," she admitted, a touch of wonder in her voice. "I’m literally sat in my mum’s spare room – and bless her, she’s just made me a sausage sandwich." It’s a testament to the artist who, despite finally receiving her wings, keeps one foot firmly planted in reality.

