Should Jessie J leave the country?

You may have read over the weekend that Jessica 'Jessie Cornish' J has sold her London home, and has bought one in LA.

The good news is that none of this is because she's not under invest­ig­a­tion for criminal activity. She's not fleeing to avoid justice! Instead, she wants to go somewhere where her talents are appreciated.

Here's what she had to say to the Daily Mail. (Warning — hyper­linked text contains link to Mail Online.)

"In America they see me as a singer whereas here I feel that people don’t appre­ci­ate my voice. I’ve dedicated my life to singing and I want it to be taken seriously. Here it seems that all people want to know is what I’ve had for breakfast and who I’m sleeping with."

It's sad that Jessie J feels unap­pre­ci­ated in the UK. Maybe she should try being Pixie Lott for a week. But the question is: should she move to America? Or should we attempt to make her change her mind?

Let's look at the evidence.

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PRO

She may well find that her voice is better accepted in America. In the UK we have a problem with what we call 'showing off', even when it comes to popstars, musicians and people whose actual job is to show off a bit. Sing but don't over-sing. Collect an award but don't look too pleased with yourself. That sort of thing. In America this idea of 'showing off' is more likely to be iden­ti­fied as 'letting your talents run free'. There are loads of big-lunged vocal run espousers over there.

CON

There are LOADS of big-lunged vocal run espousers over there. In the UK Jessie J is one of the few big actual popstars who can properly belt out ludicrous notes. She is a big fish in a small bucket. Does she have what it takes to offer American audiences something they feel (or don't realise) they're missing? Or would it be like Cheryl going home? (Cole to Newcastle.) (Like coals to Newcastle.) (This would have worked better before she changed her name.)

PRO

This could be just the right time to make that move. With the VMAs per­form­ance still fresh in the mind of the US public, and the Ariana/Nicki single 'Bang Bang' actually turning out to be a proper hit, this could be just the right time to stomp-stomp-arrive in America. The UK will just have to make do with the occa­sional promo trip. That will teach us to under­ap­pre­ci­ate our popstars.

CON

If you compare big US pop releases with big UK pop releases, it's not unusual to find yourself wondering if America simply has far higher standards. And quite different expect­a­tions. Last year Jessie's second album 'Alive' came out in the UK and under-performed; her US label simply refused to release it. (Even though 'Thunder' was amazing.) "The American label don't think it will work for their territory," Jessie told Digital Spy at the time. "That's not my decision — I wish I could explain that in detail to my fans. The label does have power and if they don't think it will work for their territory, I can't force them to put it out."

PRO

Hang on, the US label wanting bigger, better songs isn't a con at all really, is it? It's only a con if you're incapable of pulling it off, or lack the con­fid­ence to even try. Jessica Cornish certainly does not lack con­fid­ence, so she's at least halfway there.

CON

As she noted in the Daily Mail interview, Jessie is sad that in the UK "it seems that all people want to know is what I’ve had for breakfast and who I’m sleeping with". But could it be the case that the US media — not exactly known for its aversion to showbiz tittle tattle — isn't inter­ested in these things because it's doesn't yet care? And that as soon as she becomes properly huge in America (as is her plan), she'll get the full breakfast and bonking treatment anyway?

PRO

The weather is usually better.

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There's certainly a lot to think about there. But now we ask you, the Popjustice reader, to help Jessie J make up her mind. It's important here that you put to one side your own opinions. Instead, consider only what is best for Jessie J.

So now we ask — again, con­sid­er­ing it was in the headline — should Jessie J leave the country?

UPDATE!!!!!!!!

The vote is now closed and we can reveal that a very mean 15.6% of you want Jessie J to stay in the UK where she is unappreciated.

On the other hand a heart­en­ing 84.4% of you have mag­nan­im­ously decided that Jessie should be able to follow her heart and move to America.

Jessie, if you're reading this we wish you all the best in your future endeav­ours and, if you do make the move to America, we hope you find the appre­ci­ation you are looking for.