It seems a feud has been brewing behind the scenes within JLS, as eagle-eyed fans have noticed friction between Oritsé Williams and the rest of the boys, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and JB Gill. And with a tour just round the corner, fans are worried this could jeopardise upcoming plans.
Posting on social media. one TikTok user pointed out that Oritsé, 38, is rarely seen with JB, 38, Aston, 37, and Marvin, 40, asking in a video, ‘Why is Oritsé never at any of the parties? Why were the boys not at his wedding? There was no birthday post for Marvin.’ Plenty of others agreed, with another fan commenting, ‘I’ve been noticing that, too. Never see him at anything with them. Such a shame as they were all so close, but feel this tour could be the end of them as a four.’
And, a source confirms to heat that things haven’t been smooth for the boy band recently, and they are no longer as close as they once were. We’re told, ‘There’s definitely been some tension over the years, just like with most bands. There had been concern from management that getting all the lads together could be tricky, as they’re all in different stages of their lives. But it does feel as through Oritsé isn’t as close with the band in the way that he was – and that’s really just down to his private life and what he’s had to go through.’
Oritsé has experienced some ups and downs over the past few years. In 2018, he was charged with rape of a fan in 2016. The case went to court in 2019, and he was found not guilty. His bandmate Marvin and his wife Rochelle Humes were vocal with their support, with both of them sharing posts when he was acquitted. And last year, the singer – who is dad to son Omré, 10, with his ex Aimée Jade Azari – revealed that he had welcomed another boy, Shiva Zion Olumidé, with his wife Kazz.
Amid the new-baby joy though, Oritsé was also embroiled in a public feud with his ex, who he claimed was ‘blocking their son from seeing his severely ill mother’ and that he has spent ‘almost a decade fighting to be in his son’s life’. Aimee responded by calling Oritsé a narcissist and claiming he cared more about people’s perception of him than ‘actually being a parent and taking responsibility for his actions’.
Although Oritsé has been keeping himself to himself during the current drama, JLS – who first reunited in 2019, after splitting six years before – are due to be back in the spotlight when they kick off their The Club Is Alive: 2025 Hits Tour in November.
Our source adds, ‘Their management are really hoping they can all just rally and not only get along with each other, but bring that energy back for the fans when they’re onstage.’
