Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock reportedly made a jibe at her former bandmate Jesy Nelson during the opening show of their Confetti Tour on Saturday at Belfast’s SSE Arena.
The singer, 30, allegedly altered the lyrics of their song Gloves Up to eliminate reference of there ever being four girls in the group, after the Romford-native quit in 2020.
Leigh-Anne was embroiled in a bitter feud with Jesy last year, after the latter was accused of Blackfishing after sporting a very tanned complexion.
Throwing shade: Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock ‘made a jibe at her former bandmate Jesy Nelson’ during the opening show of their Confetti Tour on Saturday at Belfast’s SSE Arena
With adoring fans were expecting her to belt out the line, ‘Legend of the four divas,’ the swimwear designer sang ‘three’, according to claims.
Following Jesy’s departure, the group – also consisting of Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall – announced last year that they would be going on a hiatus and re-affirmed that they weren’t splitting for good during the show.
They projected, ‘Little Mix 2011-Forever,’ on screens behind them, with Jade saying: ‘We wouldn’t have got where we are today if it wasn’t for the love we have for each other,’ according to The Sun.
‘We have been through absolutely everything together. We have cried together. We have laughed together. We have seen each other naked.
Feud: The singer, 30, ‘altered the lyrics of their song Gloves Up to eliminate reference of there ever being four girls in the group’, after the Romford-native quit in 2020 (pictured in 2019)
‘We really are the best of friends. We are family now and that is going to remain for ever and ever, no matter what.’
Representatives for Little Mix have been contacted for comment by MailOnline.
Back in October, Little Mix revealed they warned Jesy about blackfishing before her shock exit from the group last year.
Jade admitted she, Leigh-Anne and Perrie had a ‘friendly, educational’ chat with their then-bandmate after she began to overhaul her image.
Take that! With adoring fans were expecting her to belt out the line, ‘Legend of the four divas,’ the swimwear designer (right) allegedly sang ‘three’
Blackfishing is used to describe a white person attempting to appear to have black heritage.
The Boyz singer was reportedly criticised in Instagram messages by her former bandmate Leigh-Anne for appropriating black culture and darkening her skin with fake tan and changing her hair in the ‘Boyz’ video.
Now the group have confirmed they had spoken to her about the difficulties in the way she presented herself, but insisted it happened before she quit last year.
Jade told Stella magazine: ‘We don’t want to talk about the video, or be critical, but one thing we will clarify regarding the blackfishing situation is that Jesy was approached by the group in a very friendly, educational manner.’
Insistent: Following Jesy’s departure, the group – also consisting of Perrie Edwards (left) and Jade Thirlwall (centre) – announced last year that they would be going on a hiatus and re-affirmed that they weren’t splitting for good during the show
Leigh-Anne added: ‘Capitalising on aspects of blackness without having to endure the daily realities of the black experience is problematic and harmful to people of colour.
‘We think it’s absolutely not OK to use harmful stereotypes. There’s so much to say on that subject that it’s hard to sum up in a sound bite.’
This comes as it was claimed Jesy never wanted to be locked in a feud with her former Little Mix bandmates and feels it is ‘getting a bit much’.
The singer quit the band last December, saying she found the pressure of being in a girl group difficult to deal with.
Oh dear: Leigh-Anne was embroiled in a bitter feud with Jesy last year, after the latter was accused of Blackfishing after sporting a very tanned complexion (pictured in 2021)
A source told MailOnline that Jesy believes she and the band can both exist in the music industry following the blackfishing controversy over her Boyz music video.
The insider said: ‘The last thing she wanted was to be embroiled in a Little Mix vs Jesy feud.
‘The girls have been through a lot together and she truly believes everyone can co-exist in the industry without the war of words. The fans deserve better. It’s all getting a bit much.’
Controversy: Jesy’s debut single Boyz saw her dress up in a series of suggestive ensembles while sporting a very tanned complexion
Jesy’s Instagram livestream with Nicki Minaj descended into chaos when the rapper accused Leigh-Anne of trying to ruin Jesy’s new solo career.
Jesy was then said to be ‘devastated’ Leigh-Anne had ‘sparked racial hatred’ and a new wave of intense trolling towards her, telling pals she couldn’t believe ‘someone she once called family could be so cruel.’
However, a source clarified to MailOnline: ‘It’s not fair to criticise Leigh-Anne over this. She was just upset as were others over blackfishing, and social media is awash with it.’
Clash: Jesy has been at the centre of huge drama of late, after former Little Mix bandmate Leigh-Anne previously accused her of blackfishing in the music video for Boyz
Their comments came after Jesy recently admitted she isn’t in contact with her former bandmates any more, but is hopeful they can put their differences behind them in the future.
She said during an episode of The Graham Norton Show: ‘We’re not talking any more. It is sad but honestly there is no bad blood from my side, and I still love them to pieces and genuinely wish them all the best.
‘I loved my time with them, and we’ve got the most incredible memories together but It’s just one of those things which needs to take time, so who knows.
‘To me they are still the ‘sickest’ girl band in the world.’
Happier times: Jesy recently admitted she isn’t in contact with her former bandmates any more, but is hopeful they can put their differences behind them in the future (pictured in 2018)
