Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock says she feels like ‘least favoured’ band member because of her race

‘I sing to fans who don’t see me or hear me or cheer me on,’ singer said in powerful video on systemic racism

Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock has shared an emotional video about her personal experiences of racism, saying she sometimes feels she is ”the least favoured” member because she is black.

Pinnock said that she realised the “dream of being in the biggest girl band in the world came with its flaws and consequences” after being told by choreographer Frank Gatson Jr – who is also black – that she’d have to “work 10 times harder” because of the colour of her skin while filming the music video for "Wings".

The star posted the clip to Instagram after being left “feeling really heavy” in the wake of George Floyd’s death after he was taken into custody by police in Minneapolis.

A white officer named Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. He has been charged with second degree murder.

In the video, the pop star fought back tears as she said: “I sing to fans who don’t see me or hear me or cheer me on. My reality is feeling anxious before fan events and signings because I always feel like I’m the least favoured.

“My reality is all the times I’ve felt invisible within my group, part of me is fully aware that my experience would’ve been even harder to cope with had I been dark-skinned.”

Pinnock wrote on Instagram that she shared the video in the hopes it will help Little Mix fans understand the racism that takes place, stating: “In doing this we are able to approach the bigger issue and break down systemic racism. All we want is equality and justice for our black community.”

She added: “In doing this we are able to approach the bigger issue and break down systemic racism. All we want is equality and justice for our black community.”

Meanwhile, Pinnock's bandmate, Jade Thirlwall, issued an angry message to "ignorant" members of the media for regularly mistaking her for Pinnock.

Pinnock formed Little Mix during The X Factor in 2011 alongside Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards. They won the show.

Additional reporting by Agencies