Little Mix admit they ‘didn’t expect being in a girlband to be so hard’ in their first TV appearance since Jesy Nelson announced her ‘extended break’.
Perrie Edwards, 27, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 29, and Jade Thirlwall, 27, will appear on Saturday’s The Jonathan Ross Show, and as they reflect on their career they admit ‘people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes.’
It comes following reports that the band are secretly making plans to pursue solo careers in 2021, after Jesy said last week time off from the group was ‘needed.’
Here they are! Little Mix admit they ‘didn’t expect being in a girlband to be so hard’ in their first TV appearance since Jesy Nelson announced her ‘extended break’
As the band watches back a clip from their time on The X Factor, Leigh-Anne says being in a band was everything they’d hoped for.
Perrie then adds: ‘I don’t think we expected it to be this hard. When you’re young and you think of being a popstar, you think, ”Oh I want everyone to love me and ask for my autograph…” then you get thrown into it and you’re like, ”Holy s*** balls it’s a lot”.
‘We don’t rest, we don’t sleep. But we love success so we’re willing to work for it and it’s been an amazing 10 years!’
Absent: On Tuesday a representative for Little Mix confirmed Jesy was taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons’
Exciting: Perrie Edwards (left) and Leigh-Anne Pinnock (right) will appear on Saturday’s episode of The Jonathan Ross Show to discuss their new album
Gorgeous: Jade Thirlwall will also appear on the show, as they make their first appearance without Jesy
Candid: As they reflect on their decade-long career they admit that ‘people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes’ as they perceive fame to be ‘all glam and glitz’
Leigh-Anne continues: ‘People don’t see how hard it is, the things that go on behind the scenes. People don’t understand the pressure. People sometimes see popstars and think, ‘Oh it is glam and glitz’, but really it’s hard.’
But Jade says they’ve received huge amounts of support from their fans, adding: ‘We’ve got each other, that’s the beauty of being in a band. We just stay grounded with our friends and family.
‘When we get time off we go straight home and see the family. Our mams would be the first to tell us off if we were getting a bit big-headed.’
Leigh-Anne says: ‘Our mums are our biggest fans. We’ve got a group chat… [They’re called the] ‘Mummy mixers’.’
Candid: Discussing the band’s career, Perrie says: ‘I don’t think we expected it to be this hard’
Open: She adds: ‘When you’re young and you think of being a popstar, you think, ”Oh I want everyone to love me…” then you get thrown into it and you’re like, ”Holy s*** balls it’s a lot”
Challenging: She adds: ‘We don’t rest, we don’t sleep. But we love success so we’re willing to work for it and it’s been an amazing 10 years!’
Difficult: Leigh-Anne says: ‘People don’t see how hard it is, the things that go on behind the scenes. People don’t understand the pressure’
The band also discussed their much-anticipated sixth album Confetti, with Leigh-Anne saying: ‘We had it done before lockdown, we were quite lucky. This album came so naturally we didn’t overthink, we love it.’
The band also discussed Leigh-Anne’s engagement Andre Gray, which she announced in lockdown.
She gushed: ‘He smashed it. He did so good, decorating in the garden, fairy lights and candles and an outdoor cinema.
‘I was thinking, ”This is just too much for a four year anniversary”. Then I saw cameras above the cinema thing. Part of me still didn’t think it was going to happen.
‘I couldn’t imagine him getting on one knee. We were sat there and the film cut out, pictures of us came up, then our song was playing, he was on one knee and it said [on the screen], ‘Will you marry me?’ It was beautiful and he’s not a romantic person.’
Challenges: She continues: ‘People sometimes see popstars and think, ”Oh it is glam and glitz”, but really it’s hard’
Gorgeous: Leigh-Anne looks sensational in a gold shaded mini dress as she and the band reflect on their success
Playful: The singer also chats about her engagement, after her boyfriend Andre Gray popped the question in May
Jade was coy when discussing her newfound relationship with Rizzle Kicks boyfriend Jordan Stephens, 28, after they met in lockdown, but did say: ‘I’m not a very lovey dovey person. It was through a friend.
‘I slid in the DMs. I’d been doing this for quite a while [sliding into DMs]. I kept getting pied left, right and centre.’
After playing a fun game of Never Have I Ever with fellow guests Joe Wicks and Michael McIntyre, the group deliver a stellar performance of their latest single.
It comes after Jesy admitted she ‘needed time off’ from the band just one week before announcing she was taking ‘an extended break.’
Over the moon: She gushes her boyfriend Andre ‘smashed it’ with his romantic proposal, after he got down on one knee as they celebrated their four-year anniversary
There’s one missing! It comes after Jesy admitted she ‘needed time off’ from the band just one week before announcing she was taking ‘an extended break’
Someone’s not there! Perrie joins her bandmates in chatting to Jonathan just two days after news of Jesy’s break
Playful: Despite Jesy’s hiatus the group are in high spirits as they discussed the release of their sixth album
Playful: Leigh-Anne (left) and Jade (right) also take part in a hilarious game of Never Have I Ever on the show
In an interview with the Mail On Sunday’s YOU magazine published on November 8, Jesy told how the band ‘needed’ some time apart because they are together all day, every day.
She said: ‘It was needed. We’re never not with each other and we’re always busy. Our mornings start early, we finish really late.’
It comes following reports on Wednesday that Little Mix are reportedly planning to pursue a solo career, following news of Jesy’s ‘extended break.’
Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade are set to launching solo careers next year at the end of their existing record deal, it has been claimed.
They are said to have been secretly meeting with industry bosses as well as new managers and agents while Jesy also plans to kick start a solo career when she is feeling better.
Keeping quiet: Jade was coy when discussing her newfound relationship with Rizzle Kicks boyfriend Jordan Stephens, 28, after they met in lockdown
Storming the stage: Following the interview, Perrie and her bandmates take to the stage for a sexy performance
Racy: The group done form-fitting black ensembles as they dance around in the water
Future: It comes following reports on Wednesday that Little Mix are reportedly planning to pursue solo careers, following news of Jesy’s ‘extended break’
The Sun reported that Perrie and Jade are both looking at solo music projects while Leigh-Anne is eyeing up TV opportunities.
A source said: ‘The girls have been open and honest with each other, and with their current management team.
‘They have started discussions with some prospective managers and agents about what their solo careers might look like.
‘Some of the girls might end up taking on solo projects with their current management team too. But this isn’t about ending the band, it’s about looking to the future.’
The source added that the group still have a tour to complete next April and will see it through, even if it is delayed due to COVID-19.
The insider also said the ladies are trying to emulate Take That, where each member drifts out to work on their own projects but come back together at different times.
They also claimed there is no ‘bad blood’ between the group and they are all supportive of each other’s wishes to go solo.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Little Mix for comment at the time.
Switching it up: The Sun reported that Perrie and Jade are both looking at solo music projects while Leigh-Anne is eyeing up TV opportunities
Future: It comes following reports on Wednesday that Little Mix are reportedly planning to pursue a solo career, following news of Jesy’s ‘extended break’
We’ll finish it: The source added that the group still have a tour to complete next April and will see it through, even if it is delayed due to COVID-19
A new direction: The insider also said the ladies are trying to emulate Take That, where each member drifts out to work on their own projects but come back together at different times
On Wednesday’s Jesy’s bandmate Jade took to Instagram to share a cryptic message following news of her break from the group.
It read: ‘It rarely feels like it, but the pain eases. It fades. It flashes. It curls like the first bit of butter. Melts on the toast. Compliments the heaviness.
‘… Tells you nasty stories. Reminds you of itself. Tricks you into not treating others like you wish you could. Tries to leave. Pretends to leave…
‘The deepest cuts are the best ones on the album. They don’t ask for approval. Take longer to love. Pain’s a pallet cleanser. A ticket out of delusion.
‘It’s hard when you’re in it but we learn. We grow. It fades. It flashes.’
On Tuesday Little Mix’s representative announced Jesy would be taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons.’
A representative for the band said: ‘Jesy is having extended time off from Little Mix for private medical reasons.
‘We will not be issuing any further comment currently and ask media to please respect her privacy at this time.’
Still pals: They also claimed there is no ‘bad blood’ between the group and they are all supportive of each other’s wishes to go solo
Hiatus: On Tuesday Little Mix’s representative announced Jesy would be taking an ‘extended break’ from the band due to ‘private medical reasons’
Since then, heartbroken Little Mix fans have flooded social media with messages of support for Jesy, voicing their concern for her well-being.
A large portion of Twitter users batted away any suggestions that the girls are pegged to break-up, while others branded Jesy ‘an inspiration’.
Jesy has been a member of the girl band since their formation on The X Factor in 2011, alongside Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne.
Two weeks ago Jesy was forced to pull out of the finals of Little Mix: The Search, after falling ill.
She’s gone: Two weeks ago Jesy was forced to pull out of the finals of Little Mix: The Search, after falling ill, leaving Leigh-Anne (pictured), Perrie and Jade to appear without her
Drama: She was also unable to host the MTV EMAs, or perform alongside her bandmates as planned (Perrie pictured performing)
Questions: Little Mix are slated to head on tour in April next year with their new album Confetti, but it is currently unclear whether Jesy plans to rejoin the group by then
The pop starlet was due to appear on the grand finale of the competition, but a statement released just hours before the live show revealed that she was unwell.
She was also unable to host the MTV EMAs, or perform alongside her bandmates as planned.
A statement released to MailOnline read: ‘Jesy is unwell and will not be appearing on tonight’s final of Little Mix The Search.
‘She will also not be hosting or performing at tomorrow’s MTV EMA’s.
The Little Mix girls had been due to host the 27th edition of one of the biggest nights in global music – the 2020 MTV EMAs – on November 8.
The rest of the band appeared without Jesy to decide the winner of the first series of their show The Search.
Will it go ahead? It is also thought that the band’s dates may also be delayed depending on COVID-19 restrictions nearer the time the tour is due to kick off
Superstars: Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history
Jesy last posted on her Instagram page on October 31 where she shared a snap of herself dressed up for Halloween.
The media personality confirmed her romance with Our Girl actor boyfriend Sean Sagar, 30, after first being linked in July earlier this year.
Little Mix are slated to head on tour in April next year with their new album Confetti, but it is currently unclear whether Jesy plans to rejoin the group by then.
It is also thought that the band’s dates may also be delayed depending on COVID-19 restrictions nearer the time the tour is due to kick off.
Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history.
They were signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco until November 2018 when they switched to rival label RCA.
The Jonathan Ross Show airs on Saturday at 9:50pm on ITV.
Back soon: The Jonathan Ross Show airs on Saturday at 9:50pm on ITV