British singer Jess Glynne has publicly criticised the White House for using the viral Jet2 Holidays trend, which features her song ‘Hold My Hand’, to promote US immigration deportations.
In recent weeks, Glynne’s 2015 hit has seen a resurgence on TikTok, soundtracking nearly two million videos. The cheerful track, paired with a Jet2 Holidays voiceover, has become synonymous with chaotic or disastrous holiday clips — from airport delays and drunken antics to in-flight brawls — and is now widely used across social media as a kind of ironic soundtrack for holidays gone wrong.
However, on July 30, the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a video depicting multiple immigrant deportations, using the same Jet2 Holidays soundbite, including Glynne’s track, in the background.
Outraged by the post, Glynne took to her Instagram Stories to express her anger. Her post read: “This post honestly makes me sick. My music is about love, unity, and spreading positivity – never about division or hate.”
The video arrives as the US ramps up mass deportations, which began in early June in cities like Los Angeles, sparking widespread protests and backlash. A number of artists have voiced opposition to the deportations, including Olivia Rodrigo, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Addison Rae and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.
More than 100 musicians, including Ethel Cain, Sophie Thatcher and Boy Harsher, have also signed onto a campaign calling for the abolition of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
This is not the first time Glynne’s ‘Hold My Hand’ has drawn mixed reactions in relation to Jet2. Back in 2018, some holidaymakers complained that the airline overused the song, with one social media user quipping: “That Jess Glynne song on Jet2 planes makes me want to smash my head against the window.”
Glynne responded with understanding: “I’m gonna just say to Jet2 and to everybody out there, look – I didn’t make them do it like that. I agreed to let them use my song and, you know, I apologise if it annoys you!”
Earlier this month, Glynne even met the voice actor behind the iconic Jet2 ad, and the two recreated the viral clip live on air, with Glynne singing and the actor reciting the now-infamous tagline.
Still, the singer made clear this week that while she can laugh about the meme-worthy use of her song, its association with divisive political messaging — particularly involving deportations — crosses a line.