Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock opens up over racism experience in new documentary

It aired on 4th August on Channel 4

Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Author: William MarriottPublished 5th Aug 2020
Last updated 5th Aug 2020

Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock has been speaking out about her experiences of racism in her life and the music industry in a new documentary which aired on 4th August on Channel 4 . The Talk featured various other celebrities, including Rochelle and Marvin Humes, as well as Diversity brothers Ashley and Jordan Banjo.

The programme highlighted the physical and mental struggles black people have had to face during their life, following the tragic death of George Floyd.

Channel 4's description of the show is as follows, "‘The Talk’ in the black community is to prepare children for the reality of living in a society where their skin colour marks them out for a lifetime of challenges white people may not understand.

"The first talk normally happens around age 4-7 and marks the day a child loses their innocence. Parents have to explain that, because of the colour of their skin, some people think they are less worthy of respect. Children are taught what to expect and how to react; advice based on experiences suffered by family, friends and neighbours."

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

In the programme, the recently-engaged singer, who's parents also featured on the show said, discussed receiving racist abuse at an early age, revealing, "In primary school, a boy wrote on a bit of paper, 'Name: Leigh-Anne. Age: Nine. Nationality: Jungle.'

"I saw it, and my heart just dropped. I knew it racism. I was nine years old, I knew it was racism. I was just distraught by it."

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

The singer also opened up about winning The X Factor and what she was told almost immediately after the win. She emotionally recalled, "I got told, “You’re the black girl, you’ve got to work 10 times harder.

"I just wish that I knew more back then, I just wish that I was more educated on this and I knew that, yeah, your race will hold you back a little bit. I just wish I knew that so I could prepare myself."

It comes after the Holiday singer opened up on This Morning about her battles with racism in the music industry. She told hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, "I just didn’t feel like enough people cared, like enough people were listening.

"Obviously, this is the first time in my life that the whole world is speaking about racism, speaking about black lives. I’m just so overwhelmed by it and I just thought, you know, what I feel like I need to kind of get rid of this pain that I’ve been carrying around for nine years."

Leigh-Anne is following in the footsteps on her band-mate Jesy Nelson, who released her documentary The Odd One Out last year, which documented her struggles with online bullying and mental health. The star went on to win an NTA for her work, with the programme now being shown in schools across the country.

Check out Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Andre Gray's relationship timeline

December 2016: Leigh-Anne and Andre confirmed they were an item

Leigh-Anne has been dating Watford footballer Andre since 2016. She made it Instagram official in January 2017 by posting a photo of him hugging her, with the caption, 'Gonna miss this one 💔'.

March 2017: Andre surprised Leigh-Anne on tour

Little Mix supported Ariana Grande on her American Leg of the Dangerous Woman Tour. Whilst they were away, Andre flew out to surprise Leigh-Anne, which she was over the moon with! Taking to Instagram, she posted an image of the moment he surprised her, with the emoji, '🌍'.

June 2017: The pair fly away on their first holiday abroad

The pair went away on their first holiday together in June 2017. The duo both posted photos of their adventure, mostly of them on a golden beach with the blue sky in the background. They didn't reveal the location of their holiday but Leigh-Anne did reveal she was in 'Paradise with my paradise 🌴😍❤️' in an Instagram post.

September 2017: The pair attend London Fashion week together

Leigh-Anne is no stranger to big celebrity parties and events, so it was no surprise to see her attend London Fashion Week in 2017. Andre made his red carpet debut with Leigh-Anne during fashion week 2017.

December 2017: The pair have their first Christmas together

In 2017, the pair spent their first Christmas together as official girlfriend and boyfriend.

January 2018: The pair ring in New Year together

Just a few days after spending Christmas together, the pair brought in the New Year together, toasting to lots to come in 2018! Taking to Instagram to tell her followers what she got up to, Leigh-Anne posted a photo of the pair together, writing, 'The missing piece to my puzzle 😍🙈.. cannot wait to see what 2018 has in store for us, you are everything ❤️❤️❤️'.

January 2018: The pair attend a London NBA game together

Leigh-Anne and Andre were pictured together looking cosy in the front row of a London NBA basketball game in January 2018. Leigh-Anne took to Instagram to post a playful picture of Andre, captioning it, 'When he refuses to smile I make him 😂❤️ #NBA'.

February 2018: The pair attend The Brit Awards

The pair attended The Brit Awards together in February 2018, making another red carpet appearance together. At this awards ceremony, Little Mix were nominated for Best British Single and British Artist Video with 'Touch'.

October 2018: Andre takes Leigh-Anne out for her birthday

Andre took Leigh-Anne out for her 27th birthday in October 2018. This was the second time she has celebrated her birthday with her footballer beau.

December 2018: The pair celebrate their two-year anniversary

The pair celebrated their two-year anniversary in December 2018.

November/December 2018: Leigh-Anne and Andre move in together

Around the same time as their two-year anniversary, the pair moved into a stunning mansion, taking their relationship to the next level.


Celebrating their second Christmas together, Leigh-Anne teased fans with a glimpse of her home when she posted a photo of the her and Andre hugging in front of their huge, white Christmas tree and feature spiral staircase. She captioned the image, 'Sometimes I wish I could put it into words.. but I just can't.. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I couldn't love you anymore if I tried. First Christmas in our new home together.. Merry Christmas everyone from our family to yours 😍❤️'.

February 2019: The pair attend The Brit Awards

The pair attended their second Brit Awards ceremony together, after their successful debut the year before. This year Little Mix won the British Artist Video Award for 'Woman Like Me'.

March 2019: Andre appeared in Little Mix's 'Think About Us' music video

Andre featured in Little Mix's music video for their song 'Think About Us'. Leigh-Anne set pulses racing when she uploaded a steamy behind-the-scenes clip from the shoot on her Instagram, which showed Leigh-Anne hooked onto Andre's naked torso. Let's just say her followers went wild in the comments section!

June 2019: The pair jet off on another summer holiday

In June 2019, the pair set off on their annual summer holiday, taking a break from their busy schedules and enjoying the sunshine. Leigh-Anne posted some loved up pictures on her Instagram but kept the holiday pretty private and didn't reveal where they had jetted off to.

April 2020: The pair social distance together

Leigh-Anne and Andre were able to spend some valuable time together between March-June 2020, as the UK was put on lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

May 2020: The couple celebrate their fourth anniversary

On Thursday 28th May, Leigh-Anne shared a super cute message to Andre on her Instagram page, as the couple celebrated their fourth anniversary.


Sharing a photo of the pair on holiday, Leigh-Anne wrote, 'Happy Anniversary baby... how has 4 years gone so fast! 😩❤️ all I know is I'm another year more crazy about you. I couldn't love you harder if I tried ❤️❤️'. (sic)

May 2020: They're ENGAGED!

In the early hours of the morning after their anniversary, Andre popped the question... And she said yes! Congratulations to the wonderful couple!

July 2020: Leigh-Anne shows of her amazing engagement ring

Just weeks after THAT engagement, Leigh-Anne posted this snap to her Instagram page, showing off the stunning emerald diamond ring Andre popped the question with.

May 2021: The couple announce their pregnancy 💕

Leigh-Anne announced her pregnancy in May 2021 in an INCREDIBLE photoshoot! She wrote on Instagram: 'We've dreamed about this moment for so long and we can't believe the dream is finally coming true... we can't wait to meet you. ❤️😍.'

August 2021: Leigh-Anne and Andre welcome TWINS

Shocking the world, Leigh-Anne announced she'd given birth to not one, but two babies on Monday 16th August, sharing this adorable photo!

2023: Leigh-Anne and Andre tie the knot

Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Andre Gray tied the knot in Jamaica. The exact date of the wedding is unknown, and Leigh-Anne hasn't posted any pics from the day, however she told her fans in a newsletter: 'So much has happened since we last caught up. First of all … I'm a married woman! Eeeek!


'Andre and I had the most incredible wedding surrounded by love in a place that's so special to us. Thank you for showing us so much love and support.'

June 2023: Leigh-Anne shows off her new wedding ring

Leigh-Anne married her beau Andre Gray in 2023, in a low-key ceremony in Jamaica. The singer then returned to the UK to start promoting her debut solo song 'Don't Say Love'. While out promoting the song she was spotted showing off her gorgeous ring.
Leigh-Anne later told us about their wedding, saying she walked down the aisle to Jahméne from The X Factor singing, and their first dance was dvsn's 'The Line'.

June 2023: Leigh-Anne and Andre enjoy their honeymoon

Leigh-Anne shared 10 stunning photos from her honeymoon with Andre to Instagram in early July. She wrote: 'Honeymooning with you. I miss this and I miss you.'

July 2023: Leigh-Anne shares pictures from her and Andre's wedding

Leigh-Anne shared a series of stunning wedding snaps on her Instagram page as she gave fans a glimpse of her special day.

June 2024: Leigh-Anne and Andre celebrate first wedding anniversary

On 5th June 2024, Leigh-Anne took to her Instagram page as she celebrated her first wedding anniversary with Andre. Leigh-Anne posted this cute selfie along with some other snaps, with the caption: 'Happy 1 Year 💍 Anniversary my love @andregray_ ❤️ f--k knows how it's been a year already.. but here's to many more ❤️'.

June 2024: Leigh-Anne says her relationship is now in a 'beautiful place'

During an interview on TikTok at the end of June, Leigh-Anne candidly opened up about her relationship with Andre, confessing he was the last man to 'break her heart'. She said: "I learnt the power of forgiveness. I'm still with the person who broke my heart and he went out of his way to change for me. I think if you can actually get to the other side and make it through it, it makes it all worthwhile."

Leigh-Anne went on to reveal she's now in a 'beautiful place' with Andre.

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