Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock awarded honorary doctorate
She was surprised by a dance flash mob!
Last updated 28th Jul 2023
Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock has been awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her anti-racism and racial equality work. The 31-year-old returned to her home town of High Wycombe on Wednesday (26th July) to collect the accolade from Buckinghamshire New University.
Leigh-Anne was escorted across campus by BNU chancellor and The Repair Shop host Jay Blades, when she was surprised by a group of dance and performance students.
The group danced to Leigh-Anne's debut solo single 'Don't Say Love' in celebration of the award, which recognises her music career and active campaigning for racial equality and anti-racism - including co-founding the charity The Black Fund.
Take a look at photos of Leigh-Anne Pinnock receiving her honorary doctorate:
Leigh-Anne Pinnock receives an honorary doctorate
Leigh-Anne and Jay Blades
Leigh-Anne at Buckinghamshire New University
Leigh-Anne meets students
Leigh-Anne talking to students who are in the dance club
Leigh-Anne meeting students
Leigh-Anne watching the students perform
Leigh-Anne enjoying the performance
Leigh-Anne and Jay
Leigh-Anne and Jay
Leigh-Anne said: "Growing up, I must have walked past BNU's High Wycombe campus a million times, curious about what was being studied and taught there. But in all that time I never imagined I'd be stood here today with an honorary doctorate in the arts.
"It's such a privilege to be recognised by such a credible, creative and supportive university, so I am extremely happy and proud to be here today."
Leigh-Anne also encouraged the students to believe in themselves and to "surround yourself with others who believe in you too", because with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck "your goals are achievable."
She added: "In many ways, my story is one that I think mirrors many of the students' experience here today. It's a story of a woman who had a passion, who had a goal that she thought might just be achievable.
"But it's also a story of a woman who thanks to the support of her mentors and believers, along with a lot of hard work and dedication, eventually got where she wanted to be.
"And while I am blessed to have had a successful recording career, it is so rewarding that it's my work as a campaigner for racial equality and anti-racism that is being recognised today. Alongside my music, this is a role that becomes more important to me every day."
Leigh-Anne then gave a special thanks to Jay, who she credited for mentoring her through her teen years in High Wycombe. He said: "Leigh-Anne couldn't deserve this more.
"Not only is she an incredible talent, but she also uses her platform for the good of society and has never forgotten her roots. I am so proud of all that she's achieved and was thrilled to be here today to see her recognised for her work.
"I mentor a few people so this is definitely a real full-circle moment for the both of us."
Take a look at Leigh-Anne Pinnock through the years:
2011 - Leigh-Anne Pinnock wins The X Factor as part of Little Mix
Prior to auditioning for The X Factor, Leigh-Anne Pinnock worked as a part-time waitress at Pizza Hut. In 2011, she chased her pop stardom dreams and auditioned for the show as a solo artist. Leigh-Anne was soon put into a girl group along with Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson, originally named Rhythmix. They soon changed their name to Little Mix as they continued with the show.
On 11th December 2011, Leigh-Anne, Jade, Perrie and Jesy became the first group to win The X Factor, with Little Mix crowned the champions under the leadership of their mentor Tulisa Contostavlos.
2021 - Documentary, film debut and Little Mix hiatus
Leigh-Anne took part in a documentary, entitled Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop and Power, which aired in May 2021. The documentary centred around Leigh-Anne talking about racial issues, and also featured RAYE, Keisha Buchanan from the Sugababes and Alexandra Burke. She received a nomination at the National Television Awards for Best Authored Documentary.
After the documentary, Leigh-Anne and Andre launched a charity called The Black Fund. The charity works with existing charities to deliver support to the black community.
In October, Leigh-Anne appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race UK as a guest judge. The series featured many famous guests throughout, including Emma Bunton, Steps, Matt Lucas and Oti Mabuse.
Leigh-Anne's film Boxing Day was released on 5th December. Not only did Leigh-Anne's Pinnock Productions contribute to the film, but the singer also starred in it. After filming wrapped in early 2021, the movie was released in UK cinemas on Friday 3rd December 2021.
Then, later in December 2021, Little Mix announced they would be going on a hiatus in 2022, following their 'Confetti Tour'.
2022 - Leigh-Anne announces solo record deal
In February 2022, Leigh-Anne confirmed she had signed a solo record deal with Warner Records UK, sharing their announcement with the caption: 'So excited for what's to come 😍🙏🏽'. Later that year, she shared pictures from Jamaica where she could be seen with other writers and producers, confirming she was working on new music.
2023 - Honorary doctorate, debut solo single and memoir
In March 2023, Leigh-Anne announced that she'd narrated the original Hans Christian Anderson version of The Little Mermaid for Audible UK.
In July 2023, Leigh-Anne received an honorary doctorate from Buckinghamshire New University in recognition of her anti-racism and racial equality work. She returned to her home town of High Wycombe to collect the accolade.
Leigh-Anne delighted fans by dropping her debut solo song 'Don't Say Love' on 16th June. Speaking about her new music, Leigh-Anne told us: "I would love to sell out shows on my own. That would be a dream. Just to have fans, just for me I think is gonna be... Ah yeah, there's gonna be tears."
In July 2023, Leigh-Anne received an honorary doctorate from Buckinghamshire New University in recognition of her anti-racism and racial equality work. She returned to her home town of High Wycombe to collect the accolade.
She released her second single 'My Love' on 7th September 2023. The song features Nigerian singer Ayra Starr.
Leigh-Anne released her memoir Believe on 26th October 2023, announcing the news on social media with a clip of herself reading it. She wrote in the caption that she'd felt as though she'd been in a "whirlwind" since winning The X Factor, and hadn't had "chance to process," adding that she wanted to "respect her past" before embarking on a "new journey".
2024 - 'No Hard Feelings' EP and first solo show
Leigh-Anne released 'Stealin' Love' on 28th March, a new song which featured on her EP called 'No Hard Feelings', released on 31st May. Leigh-Anne described her EP as a collection of songs which: 'While not part of my album, have helped inform my direction as an artist, a songwriter and a musician.'
Leigh-Anne took to the stage for her first headline show since going solo in Lafayette London, a live music venue near Kings Cross.
On Friday 22nd November 2024, Leigh-Anne took to the stage of Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE arena for Hits Radio Live, performing solo hits and new music. The 'Don't Say Love' singer wowed audiences with her incredible vocals and energetic dance breaks. Check out all the pics here.
2025 - More songs and leaving her record label
In May 2025, Leigh-Anne began teasing new music, sharing pictures of herself in the studio and featuring what appeared to be a clip of new music.
In September 2025, Leigh started to tease another song, which fans believed was called 'Dead and Gone'. It was later released on 17th October, following pop banger 'Hello' on 3rd October, for which she teamed up with Sigala and Jonita.
Her last song of the year was released on 21st November, called 'Friends' and featured Jamaican singer Rvssian. In an email to her fans, Leigh-Anne explained what it was about: 'We've all had that one friend who turns out wasn't actually your friend. This song for me captures that feeling of the weight off your shoulders after finally cutting them off ❌.' (sic)
Leigh-Anne reflected on a busy 2025 in a New Year's Eve Instagram video featuring footage recorded earlier that year, opening up about her decision to leave her record label. She said: "So, long story short, the label have said no basically. They don't have the budget to put my album out. So I'm ready to just take the reigns. It'll be a new chapter and I just can't wait. And I'm leading this s---."
2026 - Debut album release
Leigh-Anne released her debut album on 20th February, telling Hits Radio: "This is a massive moment, I think it's just because it's taken so long to get here. It's been two years in the making and I think the fact that I'm doing it my way, like my terms, and I've done it myself, and got it over the line myself, I just feel like it's just even sweeter."
On the day Leigh-Anne announced her debut solo album, 'My Ego Told Me To', the singer also revealed she will also be going on tour in April 2026. She will be performing in Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and London as part of a wider European tour.
Now read:
Leigh-Anne Pinnock drops her debut solo song 'Don't Say Love' ❤️
Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces release of debut memoir Believe
Leigh-Anne Pinnock: Everything you need to know about the Little Mix singer