Pop girl group Little Mix have given their first interview as a trio following the departure of bandmate Jesy Nelson at the end of last year. The remaining members Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, and Perrie Edwards spoke to GLAMOUR magazine as the band wins GLAMOUR’s Women of the Year award for being game changers in music.
It has been ten years since the underdogs become the first group to win The X Factor back in 2011. Little Mix have since become the world’s biggest girl band. In the interview, the girls discuss everything from their forced break due to COVID-19 to their hopes for the band in the future as they embrace their newfound sisterhood as a group of three. Nelson announced her permanent leave from the band back in December on social media “after much consideration and with a heavy heart”. Nelson ultimately made the decision for mental health reasons. In her announcement, Nelson admitted that “the constant pressure of being in a girl group” and “living up to expectations” was “very hard”.
Nelson has previously opened up about her struggle in the spotlight, having dealt with cyberbullying since her X Factor appearance. In 2019 the singer had her own documentary Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out which explored the effects of cyberbullying not only in her own life but in the lives of other young people.
Upon Nelson’s departure, Little Mix official social media showed their support posting “This is an incredibly sad time for all of us, but we are fully supportive of Jesy,” adding “We love her very much and agree that it is so important that she does what is right for her mental health and well-being.” They immediately assured fans that this was not the end of Little Mix writing that the remaining three are “still very much enjoying our Little Mix journey and the 3 of us are not ready for it to be over”.
Indeed, Little Mix continue their reign, entering the new year and a new era for the group with a No.1 single in Sweet Melody. Meanwhile, Nelson has teased that she may be working on her solo career. On Instagram, she posted a snap of her with producers Patrick Patrikios and I am Sunny sparking speculation that she is in the process of making new music.
Little Mix show no sign of slowing down following the success of BBC One talent series Little Mix The Search. The group are preparing to release new music and continue to spread their messages of feminism, power, and positivity. As Thirlwall told GLAMOUR “It’s like a new dawn of Little Mix”. Mixers get ready, for this is no ending for the group, simply a new beginning.
Little Mix are set to tour their sixth album Confetti in 2022.
