LITTLE Mix could be about to call it quits as the three remaining band members are reportedly about to launch solo projects after their tour ends.
The desire of Jade Thirlwall, 28, Perrie Edwards, 28, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 30, to set up individual projects could spell the end for the girl band.
A source told the Sun: “They’ve been pretty open with each other about it. There are a lot of meetings happening at the moment. Some of them have already done management deals. Leigh-Anne has signed up with Dua Lipa’s manager, Jade is cutting her teeth as a songwriter and presenter, while Perrie is working on other things too.
“They still get on great, despite everything that has happened with Jesy. But her departure put the cat among the pigeons. They all know there will have to be a career beyond Little Mix, so they’ve put things in place. The plan is to see out commitments, then turn to solo projects almost immediately.”
The source said the band does not plan to formally split but it is unlikely they will find time to release music as a group if they are busy with their own projects.
The news comes despite the chaotic start to their former bandmate Jesy Nelson’s solo career amid allegations of blackfishing.
The Boyz singer is now planning to make an appearance on the Graham Norton show in the coming weeks to perform the song and respond to the controversy surrounding the video and her row with Leigh-Ann Pinnock.
Read our Jesy Nelson live blog for the latest updates…
-
Jesy Nelson is trying to ‘save herself like Prince Harry’, says expert
They have constantly described themselves as “sisters” and “best friends”, but the Little Mix rift appears to be widening.
The three remaining band members unfollowed Jesy Nelson on Instagram this week – after she launched solo single Boyz – and even Perrie Edwards’ dog has snubbed her on social media.
Body language expert Judi James says Jesy, 30, is taking a leaf out of Prince Harry’s book and distancing herself from her past life to “save” herself.
Meanwhile there are subtle signs that the remaining trio of Leigh-Anne, Perrie and Jade Thirlwall are “concerned and anxious” about the split.
“Part of the Little Mix appeal for the fans has always been the sense of unity and sisterhood between the four women who are apparently enjoying successful, enviable lifestyles,” she tells The Sun.
-
What do we know about Jesy’s early life?
Jessica Louise Nelson was born on June 14, 1991 and was raised in Romford, East London.
The singer attended Jo Richardson Community School and Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College in Hornchurch, London.
She also attended the Sylvia Young and Yvonne Rhodes Theatre Schools.
One of her classmates at the school was Rita Ora.
Prior to auditioning for The X Factor and finding fame with Little Mix, Jesy worked as a barmaid in Dagenham.
She previously revealed that said that as a child, she had small roles as an extra in About a Boy (2002) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
-
Little Mix top the Sun’s reality star rich list
With a cool collectively £55m, Little Mix have managed to defy the X Factor curse. The Sun has calculated they are the UK’s top earning former reality stars.
They have increased their individual worth by at least £1m each – despite Jesy Nelson, 30, quitting the band last December.
With her departure not yet reflected in their accounts, the girls’ total worth equates to more than £13m each, and remaining trio Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 30, Perrie Edwards, 28, and Jade Thirlwall, 28, continue to dominate the charts.
-
What are the Little Mixers doing next?
Perrie has spent more than two years quietly working on a luxury brand called Disora, and is expected to sell jewellery, clothing and cosmetics.
The singer has filed a trademark application to cover a huge range of items, so music will be on the back burner.
The Sun’s Bizarre reports she is hoping to be the new Gynweth Paltrow with her hyper successful – and hyper bizarre – lifestyle brand Goop.
Leigh-Anne has already launched her swimwear business In’A’Seashell and will make her acting debut in the rom-com Boxing Day this December.
Jade has started writing for other artists and is making early moves into solo music.
-
Leigh Anne’s tearful birthday speech
Former bandmate Leigh-Anne was seen breaking down in tears at her star-studded 30th birthday party this weekend – as she hit back at Jesy.
The star had been targeted by US rapper Nicki Minaj in a savage Instagram livestream after “leaked” messages allegedly accusing former bandmate Jesy of “blackfishing” were leaked online.
Neither she or her Little Mix bandmates Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall have publicly reacted to the attack, but Leigh-Anne’s poignant speech last night appeared to reveal her response.
Fighting tears, the new mum of twins told the crowd: “I’m 30 years old, I know my character – you know my character, anyone who meets me knows my f***ing character. That is all I care about.
I am so proud of everything I have achieved; a beautiful fiance I’m pretty much obsessed with, and the two most perfect f***ing babies.
“Everything I stand for, everything I am fighting for, it is for them and I will never stop. I have found my voice now and I will continue to use it. Tonight we celebrate life, health, good friends, and amazing family – I love you all.”
-
Jesy Nelson downs shots and cocktails on night out
JESY Nelson downed shots and cocktails as she hit the town with friends – while former bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock threw an epic birthday party.
The Boyz singer, 29, let her hair down after a difficult week following the release of her debut single, which has been shrouded in controversy due to blackfishing claims.
In a series of videos, the star is seen lining up the drinks, seemingly unconcerned about missing Leigh-Anne’s big bash.
Former bandmate Leigh-Anne was seen breaking down in tears at her star-studded party as she hit back at Jesy.
The star had been targeted by US rapper Nicki Minaj in a savage Instagram livestream after “leaked” messages allegedly accusing former bandmate Jesy of “blackfishing” were leaked online.
-
What are the Little Mixers doing next?
Perrie has spent more than two years quietly working on a luxury brand called Disora, and is expected to sell jewellery, clothing and cosmetics.
The singer has filed a trademark application to cover a huge range of items, so music will be on the back burner.
The Sun’s Bizarre reports she is hoping to be the new Gynweth Paltrow with her hyper successful – and hyper bizarre – lifestyle brand Goop.
Leigh-Anne has already launched her swimwear business In’A’Seashell and will make her acting debut in the rom-com Boxing Day this December.
Jade has started writing for other artists and is making early moves into solo music.
-
What is the blackfishing row about?
Jesy’s look for her music video for Boyz sparked claims she was blackfishing – a term used when a white person uses black culture and aesthetics for their own gain – when it was released last week.
Leigh-Anne is believed to have accused Jesy of “blackfishing” — when a white person uses black culture to further their career or online presence.
In messages thought to have been sent from Leigh-Anne’s account to influencer No Hun and shared to his 341,000 followers via a live stream, the star wrote: “She blocked us. Cut us off. Horrible person.”
After No Hun asked his fans if he should make up a dance routine to Boyz, Leigh-Anne replied: “No. Do a video about her being a blackfish instead.”
-
Jesy’s changing look over the years
Jesy’s latest look is a far cry from her fresh-faced first appearance on The X Factor in 2011 – but it’s not the first time she’s undergone a dramatic transformation.
Over the years she’s worn an array of wigs ranging from vibrant pink to a blonde, short bob.
Read more here to look at some of her wildest stand-out looks.
-
What do we know about Jesy’s early life?
Jessica Louise Nelson was born on June 14, 1991 and was raised in Romford, East London.
The singer attended Jo Richardson Community School and Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College in Hornchurch, London.
She also attended the Sylvia Young and Yvonne Rhodes Theatre Schools.
One of her classmates at the school was Rita Ora.
Prior to auditioning for The X Factor and finding fame with Little Mix, Jesy worked as a barmaid in Dagenham.
She previously revealed that said that as a child, she had small roles as an extra in About a Boy (2002) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
-
Leigh-Anne hits back at Jesy in birthday speech
LITTLE Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock broke down in tears as she hit back at Jesy Nelson in an emotional speech at her 30th birthday party.
Neither she or her Little Mix bandmates Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall have publicly reacted to the attack, but Leigh-Anne’s poignant speech last night appeared to reveal her response.
Fighting tears, the new mum of twins told the crowd: “I’m 30 years old, I know my character – you know my character, anyone who meets me knows my f***ing character. That is all I care about.
“I am so proud of everything I have achieved; a beautiful fiance I’m pretty much obsessed with, and the two most perfect f***ing babies.
“Everything I stand for, everything I am fighting for, it is for them and I will never stop. I have found my voice now and I will continue to use it. Tonight we celebrate life, health, good friends, and amazing family – I love you all.”
-
Thirty and fabulous
LEIGH-ANNE Pinnock’s extravagant 30th birthday party featured a funky band, cocktails and a huge cake.
The Little Mix singer celebrated with family, friends and fiancé Andre Gray, and all the fun was shared on Instagram.
There were smiles all around as the party-goers danced, sank shots and got stuck into a dessert table packed full of sweet treats.
Leigh-Anne, who wowed in a red silk outfit, was serenaded with a rendition of happy birthday, the finale of which was greeted with cheers.
As well as the smiles, Leigh-Anne also shed some tears as she hit back at former bandmate Jesy Nelson in an emotional speech.
She had been targeted by US rapper Nicki Minaj in a savage Instagram livestream after “leaked” messages allegedly accusing former bandmate Jesy of “blackfishing” were shared online.
-
What did No Hun and Leigh-Anne Pinnock apparently say about Jesy Nelson?
No Hun claims that after he posted about Jesy’s new song, another member of Little Mix, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, reached out to him.
No Hun alleges that Leigh-Anne told him to “do a video about her (Jesy’s) being a black fish instead”.
Leigh-Anne’s alleged comments come after Jesy faced backlash over her complexion and fashion choices in the music video for Boyz.
On social media, Jesy has been accused of cultural appropriation and “blackfishing” (which is when somebody pretends to be black or racially ambiguous by darkening their skin or changing their hair).
-
Jesy hits the town as Leigh-Ann celebrates birthday
JESY Nelson downed shots and cocktails as she hit the town with friends – while former bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock threw an epic birthday party.
The Boyz singer, 29, let her hair down after a difficult week following the release of her debut single, which has been shrouded in controversy due to blackfishing claims.
In a series of videos, the star is seen lining up the drinks, seemingly unconcerned about missing Leigh-Anne’s big bash.
Former bandmate Leigh-Anne was seen breaking down in tears at her star-studded party as she hit back at Jesy.
The star had been targeted by US rapper Nicki Minaj in a savage Instagram livestream after “leaked” messages allegedly accusing former bandmate Jesy of “blackfishing” were leaked online.
-
Little Mix top the Sun’s reality star rich list
With a cool collectively £55m, Little Mix have managed to defy the X Factor curse. The Sun has calculated they are the UK’s top earning former reality stars.
They have increased their individual worth by at least £1m each – despite Jesy Nelson, 30, quitting the band last December.
With her departure not yet reflected in their accounts, the girls’ total worth equates to more than £13m each, and remaining trio Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 30, Perrie Edwards, 28, and Jade Thirlwall, 28, continue to dominate the charts.
-
Perrie wants to be Gywnne
LITTLE MIX are all planning solo careers after their tour ends in the spring, but Perrie Edwards’ next move won’t be into music.
She has spent more than two years quietly working on a luxury brand called Disora, and is expected to sell jewellery, clothing and cosmetics.
The singer has filed a trademark application to cover a huge range of items, so music will be on the back burner.
A source said: “Music is Perrie’s first love and by no means has she ruled out doing solo songs in the future. But she is keen to do other things too and knows there is a huge market for women in their twenties and thirties who want a little bit of luxury in their lives.
“Perrie came up with the idea a few years ago and spent a lot of time working on it during her down time from Little Mix in lockdown. She is launching it in the coming day.
“It will be the first big project she has undertaken since having her son Axel in August.”
-
Are Little Mix splitting up?
The Sun has exclusively revealed how the trio could be heading for a split, leaving fans concerned for the band’s future.
At the moment there has been no official confirmation from of Jade Thirlwall, 28, Perrie Edwards, 28, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 30 that they are set to part ways.
However, The Sun exclusively revealed how music industry sources say Little Mix have been quietly negotiating new management and recording deals.
But they could put the band — Britain’s most successful girl group since the Spice Girls — on hold rather than call time completely.
-
Fans accuse Minaj of bullying Leigh-Anne
LITTLE Mix fans have slammed Nicki Minaj after she took a series of swipes at Leigh-Anne Pinnock amid the Jesy Nelson blackfishing row.
The Trinidadian-American rapper, 38, shocked her followers after she branded Jesy’s former bandmate a “clown” and claimed she was bullying Jesy because she was jealous of her solo success.
One person wrote: “Nicki minaj is really sitting here bullying Leigh Anne and sending her fans to join in and for what??? Things you don’t even know are true.. ur obsessed hun.”
A second added: “How you going to dedicate an entire day to bullying leigh knowing full well her experience of racism for the past decade AND THEN COME OUT WITH MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS?????? make it make sense.”
-
Explained: Will the stars launch solo careers?
A source said: “They’ve been pretty open with each other about it. There are a lot of meetings happening at the moment. Some of them have already done management deals.
“Leigh-Anne has signed up with Dua Lipa’s manager, Jade is cutting her teeth as a songwriter and presenter, while Perrie is working on other things too.
“They still get on great, despite everything that has happened with Jesy. But her departure put the cat among the pigeons.
“They all know there will have to be a career beyond Little Mix, so they’ve put things in place. The plan is to see out commitments, then turn to solo projects almost immediately.
“The intention is to keep the band going too — but that’s how One Direction ended and it’s hard to believe they will have time for everything.”
New mum Leigh-Anne is eyeing further acting roles following her debut in the film Boxing Day, out in December 2021.
Perrie, who also had a son in August 2021, is set to launch her own company in coming weeks.
-
Frosty reunion before the cold war
There were early warning signs of feud in the band.
In July 2020, Little Mix were seen leaving rehearsal studios looking extremely frosty with each other.
The girls had only just reunited after months apart due to the UK’s first and strictest lockdown, yet they didn’t seem too chuffed to be in each other’s company again.
Jesy looked seriously stony-faced as she waited for a car to collect her, while Jade appeared more than happy to keep her social distance as she stared at her phone.
At one point, the two girls were photographed speaking but neither had smiles on their faces.
Perrie, meanwhile, left the studio a good 15 minutes before her bandmates.
Read more here.
-
Leigh-Ann’s fashion brand in debt
LITTLE Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s fashion business is £62,000 in debt, new accounts reveal.
Pure & Obsession Ltd, which Leigh-Anne set up with pal Gabrielle Urqhuart last year, has seen its debts increase by nearly £20,000 on the previous year.
The business’s primary income is from the singer’s swimwear range In’ A’ SeaShell.
Leigh-Anne and Gabrielle helped prop the young company up with an interest-free loan of £146,313 as well as a £30,000 bank loan.
The singer, who released the acclaimed BBC documentary Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop and Power this year, also set up her own media firm Pinnock Productions Ltd in 2020.
Meanwhile the most recent accounts for Leigh-Anne’s former bandmate turned rival Jesy Nelson’s solo firm Jessica Louise show it to be £91,209 in profit.
-
Explained: Who left Little Mix first?
Jesy Nelson left in December 2020 amid a row which has left the girls communicating only via lawyers.
Since then, Leigh-Anne has accused her of “blackfishing” — adopting fashion, language and musical styles from black cultures despite exclusively white heritage.
Jesy’s latest collaborator Nicki Minaj also laid into Leigh-Anne online, accusing her of being a “bully”.
-
All natural, baby (Continued…)
Defending her image, during her talk with Nicki Minaj, Jesy told livestream viewers: “My intention was never to offend people of colour with this video and my song.
“I just want to touch on the whole tanning thing as well, when I was in the video with you [Nicki], I didn’t have fake tan on. I’d been in Antigua prior to that for three weeks.
“I’m really lucky as a white girl I tan so much. Leigh-Anne even said to me in the group: ‘Are you sure you’re not mixed race because you go darker than me in the sun!’
“My hair is naturally curly, I got it from my dad – I wanted to get a wig that emulated the same texture as my hair and I genuinely didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.”
-
All natural, baby
Jesy Nelson has admitted that former Little Mix bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock DID warn her against “Blackfishing” last year – as she insisted that her dark tan and curly hair are both natural.
Addressing the backlash, Jesy claimed that she’d not been criticised for her image before going solo, but we revealed earlier today that Leigh-Anne herself had warned Jesy against the look when she was still in the girl group last summer.
Referencing Leigh-Anne and bandmate Jade Thirlwall, Jesy said: “I was in a group with two women of colour for 10 years and it was never brought up to me until the last music video I did with them when Leigh-Anne messaged me…”
-
Jesy Nelson is trying to ‘save herself like Prince Harry’, says expert
They have constantly described themselves as “sisters” and “best friends”, but the Little Mix rift appears to be widening.
The three remaining band members unfollowed Jesy Nelson on Instagram this week – after she launched solo single Boyz – and even Perrie Edwards’ dog has snubbed her on social media.
Body language expert Judi James says Jesy, 30, is taking a leaf out of Prince Harry’s book and distancing herself from her past life to “save” herself.
Meanwhile there are subtle signs that the remaining trio of Leigh-Anne, Perrie and Jade Thirlwall are “concerned and anxious” about the split.
“Part of the Little Mix appeal for the fans has always been the sense of unity and sisterhood between the four women who are apparently enjoying successful, enviable lifestyles,” she tells The Sun.