Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock Tearfully Details Experience With Racism
By Paris Close
June 6, 2020
Leigh-Anne Pinnock broke down in tears sharing her experience as the only Black member in Little Mix.
The singer, who is one-fourth of the band — comprised of Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards, and Jade Thirwall — got on camera to share her experiences with racism and anxiety. Taking to Instagram, the 28-year-old posted a heartbreaking video in which she admits to feeling “invisible” and “least favored” among her fellow bandmates.
“My reality is feeling anxious before fan events and signings because I always feel like I'm the least favored,” Pinnock started in the five-minute clip. “'My reality is constantly feeling like I have to work ten times harder and longer to make my case in the group, because my talent alone isn't enough. My reality is all the times I felt invisible within my group.”
Elsewere in the clip, Pinnock also recalled working with a director on their song “Wings” who warned her how difficult it would be to be successful as the group’s only Black member. “When we were filming Wings, we worked with Frank Gatson. He said to me, ‘You are the black girl, you have to work ten times harder.’ Never in my life had someone told me I would need to work harder because of my race.”
Pinnock also acknowledged that her experience would have been even harder had she been darker-skinned, but added that “no matter how far you think you've come, racism exists.”
Pinnock signed off the video with words of hope, concluding, “So let's all continue to speak up on racism and keep this movement going. Thank you.”
Following her confession, Pinnock’s bandmates rallied behind her. “My sister, so proud of you,” Thirwall wrote, as Nelson shared three heart emojis. Former Fifth Harmony member Normani — who could empathize having been the only Black member of a girl group — also showed some love, writing, “This is why I’ve always felt a connection to you 🖤 always here for you sis xx.”
Photo: Instagram