Leigh-Anne on Her Solo Career, Label Pressures and Releasing Her Debut Album
Pop Crave caught up with the star for an exclusive interview.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock was a self-assured teenager, never one to shy away from voicing her truth or standing up for those around her. An X-Factor audition at the age of 19 found her placed in Little Mix: a quartet of young women with whom she would win the competition and spend the next decade of her career.
The group went on to become one of the UK’s most-successful acts, shifting 50 million records worldwide, scoring five No. 1 singles and touring arenas across the globe. Leigh-Anne adored being in Little Mix, though her time on The X-Factor and the industry pressures that followed dampened her fire slightly. And she had a craving for more: to do something that was fully hers.
She kicked off her solo career in 2023, simply under the mononym Leigh-Anne, following the band’s hiatus announcement 18 months prior. Her first two singles, “Don’t Say Love” and “My Love” (with Ayra Starr), showed both artistic and commercial promise and reached the top 40 on the Official UK Singles Chart - the former charting as high as No. 11. The industry pressures, however, continued to loom over Leigh-Anne and she felt a divide growing between her vision as a solo artist and what her label wanted from her. Knowing that she would not be able to remain true to herself in the machine, nor would her album see the light of day, she made the decision to go independent.
Now, in 2025, she has released her debut solo album, ‘My Ego Told Me To.’ A reunion with her younger, fearless self, the record is a gorgeous exploration of her Caribbean roots with her signature pop stamp.
Pop Crave caught up with Leigh-Anne to discuss all things solo career, the album, her upcoming tour and how she uses her voice now.
How have your first few as a solo artist been compared to your expectations of what they might be like?
Definitely some ups and downs! It’s been a journey. I was probably naive to think that it was going to be easier than what it was, does that make sense? I felt like being in the group — biggest girl band in the world, we had come off such a high — going into my solo journey I didn’t think I would be independent now and here, but I believe that everything has happened for a reason. I’m meant to be here. I don’t think I would have put an album out, that I’m so proud of and that really represents who I am, in the situation that I was in a year ago. It just wouldn’t have happened. Everything has happened the way it should.
With the changes that you’ve gone through, have there been any goals that you had to change on the way?
Maybe when I first went solo, I was like, ‘I want No. 1s! I want to top the charts!’ But actually, this is a new journey. This is me on my own. This is me doing music that is very different to what the group did - it’s very unique to me. It’s something different and new for me as well, having to change my idea of success and what that looks like. When I think about it, we’ve done it. We’ve literally done it! I have to remember that sometimes and take comfort in that and trust myself in what I want to do and not feel like I have to do something that’s marketable or that’s going to please people. This is about doing me and putting my art out there.
JADE said that it felt like a bonus round. Is that something that resonates with you?
100%. Definitely. When I think about this journey and what I’m doing, I wasn’t the one that was putting expectations and pressure on myself. I feel like it was what was going on around me: my first label and being in the public eye in general. People compare you and people have so much to say, but really that noise just needs to be blocked out. I had to think about why I’m doing this, and that is because I love to make music.
We’re now on the brink of the album’s release. What emotions are you feeling?
Just excited, to be honest. It’s been such a journey to get here so at this point I just can’t wait for it to be out. I think the fact that I’ve managed to do this on my own, independently, that in itself I’m just gassed about to be honest. It’s been a long road to get to this moment, it just feels sweeter knowing that I’m doing it on my own, and I’m doing it my way.
The title is inspired by your ego — your younger self who you describe as fearless. What was it like to reconnect with that part of yourself through the creation of the record?
So empowering. I think about her and I’m like, ‘Damn, she really was that determined, fierce girl.’ She just knew who she was. I just think about, ‘Where did she go?’ I think now more than ever, she needed to come back. Even thinking about it mentally, when you say something to yourself all the time, you believe it, right? The more you say something to yourself everyday. The more I talk about her and the more I think about her, I can feel her taking over. I can feel that other side of me that is that people pleaser, that more vulnerable, softer side. I think within this industry, my younger self is someone who needs to come to the forefront because it can be really toxic. And she is like my protection in it.
You can see that dichotomy in the album. There is both the self-assured, fearless side and the more vulnerable side. How did you find that balance? Did it come naturally or was it an intentional choice?
Both, I would say. I do think it does come naturally because when I had the idea to do the whole era about the ego, she was actually reborn again when I wrote “Dead & Gone,” “Revival” and “Look Into My Eyes.” Those tracks have this attitude about them and they sound more sure than any of my other songs. That, to me, felt like the ego coming through. That’s where I felt like she needed to come out. Then you have songs like “Me Minus U,” “Sunrise” and “Heaven” that are this softer side, and that is natural to me as well. It’s almost like I need both sides to function and to exist.
One of my personal favorites on the album is “Best Version of Me,” which almost feels like a thesis statement: it has both ferocity and brutal honesty. Can you talk about where you were when you made that song? What was your head space?
I wrote that at my New York camp with Elijah Ross - he’s an amazing producer. We wrote it about when I first came out as solo and I felt like I had all these expectations on me, this pressure — from the label and whatever else — to be just as successful as Little Mix. That in itself is just stupid. It took so many years for us to do that! That really affected my mental health. I remember going into the Warner offices and feeling like a failure. It’s crazy! I was doing well! It’s so frustrating because I should never have been made to feel like that. I wanted to do a track that was all about how I felt in that moment. I had all these people telling me how I should sound and who I should be but really I just needed to be the best version of me, and that is my authentic self.
I also love the inclusion of your grandparents on “You ARE a star,” it’s a really heartwarming moment. Where did the idea come from to have them on the album?
We as a family have this saying, ‘You’re a Pinnock, you’re strong. You’re strong like a Pinnock.’ Like, ‘If you’re ever going through something, you can do this. You’ve got this.’ I wanted to know from my grandad where did that come from? Why do we say that? I asked my grandma to ask him to do a voice note and she just started saying all this stuff. I’m like, ‘Grandma, you’re so amazing! This is so perfect!’ I didn’t tell them anything to say. When she was saying, ‘When you told me you were going into The X Factor and you said, ‘I am a star.’’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, that is literally who I was before Little Mix.’ That was the ego talking. She was so determined. The interlude is basically the blueprint for the album. That is the story. That is the meaning of the whole album for me. It’s such a perfect moment, it makes me tear up every time.
You said your latest single “Most Wanted” saw many versions due to desires from the label to make it a certain way. Did you feel that a lot of the music you were making was stripped of your personality?
I love the music that I’ve made so far. Especially my EP [No Hard Feelings], it was a great opportunity to talk about things that were happening in my relationship and be really honest with that. I feel like maybe my first single, “Don’t Say Love,” absolute banger, but it wouldn’t have been my first choice for my first single. It’s interesting because I did a camp in Jamaica and the music that I made there was more R&B-leaning and reggae, and it was so amazing that camp and it felt like a clear direction. And then all of a sudden, they want me to do “Don’t Say Love” as my first single. It was like, ‘This is not really where I’m going!’ But they were like, ‘You need a hit!’ I think that pressure- I didn’t know what to do at that point. I needed to listen to them but now looking back I probably shouldn’t have.
That being said, I still did very well with “Don’t Say Love” and “My Love” - I was in a very good place and they made me feel like it was good enough. I love all the tracks I’ve done and I love what I’ve been putting out, but now I fully have the creative control to do whatever I want to do. There is no compromise. With certain songs, it was like, ‘I think it should sound a bit more like this.’ Well no! Just let me do what I’m doing!
I don’t know if you know this, but “My Love” ended up out-streaming “Don’t Say Love.” Is that somewhat gratifying because it’s more aligned with your sound now?
Well, that’s what I wanted for my first single. I wanted “My Love.”
Does it feel good to know you were right?
You know what, I knew that was going to be the case! I just knew! People see through things. As much as “Don’t Say Love” is an amazing song, I think people probably thought, ‘Oh? That’s where she’s going.’ They can see when an artist comes alive. I remember when I would perform them and people would be like, ‘You look so comfortable in ‘My Love!’ And I’m thinking, ‘Yeah!’
How did you go about picking the singles for this record, now that you’ve got full control?
“Been A Minute” for me had to be first. It was summer, it felt like a really good reintroduction to the industry again. And with the video I got to tease the ego and start the storyline. “Dead & Gone” is all about killing off this version of myself that was no longer serving me in this industry. The softer side that I needed to push down a little bit to make room for the ego. The singles have been in this world that I’m building and this reggae sound but stamped with my pop as well.
That’s why I’m so excited for people to hear the album. There’s so much versatility in this album and so many different layers to it and I think people can see who I am as an artist and what I can do.
You didn’t overthink the decision to go independent. Was there an element of nervousness when it came to releasing your first songs by yourself?
When I first made the decision to do it, it was pretty much instant because I knew I had no choice - I had to just go. In that moment, my ego was like, ‘Boom. You’re getting out of here.’ She kind of took that leap to be honest, there was no hesitation. Then, of course, there’s an element of being scared. It’s obviously very different. You don’t have a label throwing money at you. I am my own bank: I’m funding most of it. It’s so different.
Even in terms of expectations as well, being independent, like numbers and streaming, everything is so different. I have to give myself grace and be positive in all of this. I own my masters. That’s an amazing thing. I’m more just so proud than anything.
Did any artists reach out to offer advice after you went independent?
I had a really lovely album dinner the other night and I was speaking to Cat Burns and Bree Runway and we were just chatting about loads of stuff. It’s so nice when you can meet other people in music and share and be able to relate to each other. It’s so powerful to be able to do that because you don’t get many opportunities to, I guess. I’m not in a girl band anymore so I can’t just talk to my sisters.
If you could give advice to artists in a similar situation, thinking about going independent. What would it be?
I would say: You just need to trust in yourself. Believe in yourself. Also, find your tribe. Even if that’s one person. My sister is my ride or die. I have such an amazing team, but with her, she’ll be there forever. Just have someone around you that gets it, that sees your vision, knows where you want to go and you just get there together. Don’t stop believing in yourself.
You’re in Brazil at the moment. You said before that when you were in Little Mix, it was a special place because of the fan reaction. How has it been going back?
I did my listening party here. It was absolutely incredible to have a room full of my Brazilian Legion, playing them the music for the first time. I literally sobbed like a baby. I broke down. All of the memories of when I first went hit me again. I don’t know what it is. They’re so open here and they receive me so well and it’s always been something that I’m so touched by. I will come back every year. I love it here.
You have been unafraid to stand up for what you believe, in both your Race, Pop and Power documentary and more recently in your support for Palestine. How crucial is it for you as a public figure, and as a human being, to be vocal?
I’m always going to lead with compassion. And with the state of the world - there’s so much evil and it’s so fucked up, it’s horrible at the minute. I just think, how can anyone not? How can anyone not use their platform and say something, even if it’s a f**king repost. Just something. You can’t ignore what’s happening in the world.
Have you ever had pushback from it?
Not that I know of really. Maybe there has been but I haven’t really noticed - and I don’t really care, to be honest.
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Have you noticed any changes in the industry since making your documentary?
I do feel like at the time there were some changes. But now when I think about it, so many people were talking about race and so many companies and businesses were putting things in place: more diversity and really listening to their Black workers. But now I’m like, ‘Where has that gone?”
What can we expect from the My Ego Told Me To tour?
I’m really excited to bring the story of the album to life. I want to do something out of the box. I just want to bring this to stage. There’s so much that I can do, it’s going to be amazing. The songs as well, like “Goodbye Goodmorning,” the live element of that. The instrumentation, it’s going to be so incredible and I can’t wait!
How are you arranging the setlist? Will there be any Little Mix moments or is it just purely Leigh-Anne?
I’m working it out right now, in terms of the setlist. With Little Mix moments, you’ll have to wait and see! I have so many songs now, so we will see.
Which are you most excited to perform?
“Goodbye Goodmorning.” I can’t wait. I just want to hear that guitar live.
How is it performing solo?
It was quite a natural transition because I love to be on stage, I love what I do. The idea of going into the studio and writing about all the things that I want to say and being able to make my own music, I was so excited about. At the same time, I miss them so much. We’d belly laugh every day. Even that in itself, we were just so silly and we had so much fun. And I do miss that. It took the pressure off because we were just enjoying each other and having the time of our lives.
Are there any artists you look up to when it comes to live performance?
Doja Cat. My God. Wow. Unreal. Also, there’s a Brazilian artist called Ivete and she’s massive in Brazil. I went to her Bloco the other day and it was absolutely incredible. The amount of energy that she has! She does seven-hour shows. She does that for seven hours. It’s like it’s not spoken about. She’s superhuman! She says she trains every day and I’m like, ‘Wow!’ I don’t know any artist in the world that can do that.
To finish: your younger self has helped to guide you through this process, but if you could tell Leigh-Anne at 16 one thing, what would it be?
Keep the fire. Keep the determination because there’s going to be a lot that happens over the years that’s going to try and take it away. You’ve got to keep believing in yourself, and keep walking into those rooms knowing who you are. Whenever I get asked this question, I flip it and thank her. She is literally the fire in me that has kept me going and she has always been a part of me no matter what hurdle or what struggle. She’s always getting me through everything and adding to my resilience. So I would like to thank her.
Leigh-Anne’s debut solo album, My Ego Told Me To, is out now.