Exclusive Interview: Little Mix Star Talks About Her Third Solo Single and the Personal Story That Inspired It

Perrie Edwards, pop star and former member of Little Mix, has delved into the inspiration behind her latest solo release, “You Go Your Way”. In an exclusive chat with The Independent, the 31-year-old singer—who now performs simply as Perrie—discussed the origins of the track, reflecting on her journey to fame and a pivotal moment in her relationship with her fiancé, footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Perrie explained that the song was inspired by a time early in her relationship with Oxlade-Chamberlain when her commitment to an international tour with Little Mix created uncertainty. “When Alex and I first started dating, it was so new, and I was infatuated with him,” she shared. “But then I had to go on tour in the U.S. for months, and I thought maybe it wasn’t fair to put that strain on a fresh relationship.” According to Perrie, Oxlade-Chamberlain was undeterred, declaring, “You’re my girlfriend. We’re not ending this.”

The song, though rooted in a positive outcome for Perrie, has resonated with listeners in varied ways. “People are relating it to friendships or relationships they’ve lost,” she said, noting that the theme of parting ways touches on universal feelings of uncertainty and change.

Edwards’ Little Mix bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have shown enthusiastic support for her solo work. Thirlwall received acclaim for her debut single, “Angel of My Dreams”, released in July, while Pinnock’s first EP, No Hard Feelings, came out in May. “We’ve always been so different in the band, and now in our solo work, we’re truly exploring what we each love,” Perrie remarked. She noted that Little Mix’s diverse sound emerged from their unique influences, something they now showcase individually.

Reflecting on Little Mix’s meteoric rise, which began in 2011 on The X Factor, Perrie admitted, “It felt surreal at times. We pushed ourselves to prove our worth, sold millions of albums, and toured globally. Now, we can look back and say, ‘Wow, we did that.’”

Perrie has been candid about her challenges with anxiety and panic attacks. “It’s a process,” she acknowledged. “There are times it’s manageable and times it’s overwhelming.” She credited Oxlade-Chamberlain’s unwavering support: “He encourages me and boosts my confidence when I need it most.”

Looking ahead, Perrie’s debut solo album is nearly complete. “I have to stop myself from making more tweaks, or I’ll miss deadlines,” she joked. Live shows are on her radar too, with plans for a tour in the works. “Performing live is where I feel at home,” she said.

Perrie’s new single, “You Go Your Way”, is available now.