Leigh-Anne Pinnock has opened up about her first experience with racism, when a school bully told her she looked like she was from the “jungle”.
The Little Mix star sat down with her parents as part of Channel 4’s new documentary The Talk, which aired last night, to discuss the devastating discrimination that she faced from a young age.
Leigh-Anne shared: “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 and I was just distraught by it,” she admitted.
“I just wish that I knew more back then. I wish that I was more educated on racism and that I knew that, yes, your race will hold you back a little bit – it will.”
“I just wish I knew that so that I could prepare myself and I didn’t question the fact, ‘Am I not good enough, am I not pretty enough, why do I feel like this?'”
Leigh-Anne previously opened up about feeling like the “least favoured” member of Little Mix, while giving a heartbreaking speech about racism.
Through tears, Leigh-Anne said: “My reality was feeling lonely while touring to predominantly white countries. 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 constant reality is constantly feeling like I have to work 10 times harder and longer to mark my place in the group because my talent alone isn’t enough.”
Fans of the 28-year-old took to Twitter following her appearance on The Talk, praising Leigh-Anne for her bravery.
LEIGH ANNE PINNOCK IS SUCH AN INSPIRING AND STRONG WOMAN!
screaming out bc there’s no way i could’ve been prouder of you leigh, thank you for sharing your story with the world and i’m 100% sure that it’ll help to make the world a better place! i love you so much 🖤#TheTalk pic.twitter.com/mek3c2tGJN
— VIC (@edwrdstan) August 4, 2020
My heart hurts for the girl she was 9 years ago, but seeing the woman she is today – confident, well-spoken, not afraid to talk about what matters – she is Leigh Anne Pinnock and I am proud to be her fan LEIGH THE TALK @LittleMix
— rita 🌷 (@grannymix) August 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/mishybabez_/status/1290770349978771458
https://twitter.com/uuxcz/status/1290863014825078788
https://twitter.com/mixers__arab/status/1290819398022901760
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