Little Mix could SPLIT and all launch solo careers post tour amid Jesy Nelson ‘blackfishing’ row
LITTLE MIX look likely to split up — with the three remaining members planning solo careers after their tour ends in the spring.
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.
It follows the departure of Jesy Nelson, 30, in December last year. Music industry sources say the trio 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.
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. Perrie, who also had a son in August, is set to launch her own company in coming weeks.
The five-time chart-toppers release their seventh album Between Us next month. Their UK tour ends with a sold-out show at London’s O2 Arena on May 14.
Jesy left last year 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.
But on Monday night, Jesy’s latest collaborator Nicki Minaj, 38, laid into Leigh-Anne online, accusing her of being a “bully”.
