Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock has announced plans to make a documentary about racism and colourism in the UK, which is set to air on BBC Three.
Under the working title of Leigh-Anne: Colourism & Race, the one-off film will see the singer speaking with family and friends, and seek advice from her role models, as she explores ways to use her platform to effect change.
The 28-year-old High Wycombe native said in a statement: ‘I want to make this film because I have always been passionate about rights for black people.
Big project: Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock has announced plans to make a documentary about racism and colourism in the UK, which is set to air on BBC Three. Pictured in March
‘Conversations surrounding racism and colourism are something I constantly have with my boyfriend and family, and as I have a platform, I want to use that platform to bring this conversation to a wider audience and stand up for my black and brown community.
‘Systemic racism is complex; through making this documentary I want to learn how I can best lend my voice to the debate so that the young people who look up to me won’t have to face what me and my generation have had to.’
During the documentary, for which Leigh-Anne’s childhood friend Tash Gaunt will make her directorial debut, the star will also be shown behind the scenes with her Little Mix bandmates Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards.
Under the working title of Leigh-Anne: Colourism & Race, the one-off documentary will see the singer speaking with family and friends, and seek advice from her role models
BBC Three Controller Fiona Campbell said of the project: ‘We are constantly having conversations about race and discrimination and how we can cover it on BBC Three in a way that can contribute to making positive and permanent change.
‘This is a film we commissioned a few months ago and the start of filming with Leigh-Anne has coincided with the tragic death of George Floyd and the current protests and debates which have brought these issues into sharper focus for her, for Britain and the world.
‘By working with high profile talent like Leigh-Anne, and other important individuals she will meet through this process, we hope the honest conversations this film will feature will have the power to change attitudes, offer insight and help to prevent racism in our society.’
The announcement comes just over a week after Leigh-Anne was seen speaking on TV about the first time she experienced racism – at just nine years old.
During the documentary, the star will also be shown behind the scenes with her Little Mix bandmates (L-R) Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall
Leigh-Anne, who is engaged to footballer Andre Gray revealed she was mercilessly bullied at school and told she was ‘from the jungle’.
Appearing on Channel 4’s The Talk, on which black celebrities recount their experiences with racist abuse, she sat between her parents and told her story.
‘In primary school, a boy wrote on a bit of paper, “Name: Leigh-Anne. Age: Nine. Nationality: Jungle”,’ she recalled.
‘I saw it, and my heart just dropped. I knew it was racism. I was nine years old, I knew it was racism. I was just distraught by it!’
Show: The announcement comes just over a week after Leigh-Anne was seen on Channel 4’s The Talk speaking speaking about first time she experienced racism – at just nine years old
She added: ‘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.’
In June, the songstress took to Instagram to share her experiences as the only black member of girl band Little Mix.
Leigh-Anne tearfully admitted that she feels ‘invisible’ at times in the group.
The star also shared that she always feels like the ‘least favoured’ and has to work ‘ten times harder’ in Little Mix.
Terrible: The Little Mix star, 28, was bullied at school and told she was ‘from the jungle’
Leigh-Anne said during the five minute video: ‘My reality is feeling anxious before fan events and signings because I always feel like I’m the least favoured.
‘My reality is constantly feeling like I have to work ten times harder and longer to make my case in the group, because my talent alone isn’t enough. My reality is all the times I felt invisible within my group.
‘Part of me is fully aware that my experience would have been ever harder to deal with had I been dark-skinned. Our reality is no matter how far you think you’ve come, racism exists.
‘So let’s all continue to speak up on racism and keep this movement going. Thank you.’
Speaking out: Amid the global anti-racism protests, Buckinghamshire native Leigh-Anne has been vocal about her own experiences. Pictured in 2018