Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has branded the media “ignorant” and “rude” after being mistaken for band mate Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
The singer was forced to speak out in fury after an image of Pinnock was was used in an article about Thirlwall. She told her fans on Instagram: “This s*** happens ALL THE TIME.”
Highlighting the article, Thirlwall wrote: “You might want to make sure you’re using an image of the correct mixed race member of the group.”
She said ”it’s becoming a running joke”, adding that she is “done with us just having to laugh it off now”.
Thirwall revealed that journalists often confuse the pair during interviews and that many photographers often shout Pinnock’s name at her when she’s attending events.
She said that she has always “awkwardly brushed it off as a simple mistake when we both really know why”.
“It offends me that you couldn’t differentiate the two women of colour out of four members of a group…DO BETTER,” she stated.
Thirlwall’s comments come after Pinnock was praised for a video in which she shared her personal experiences of racism since becoming a part of the band in 2011.
Pinnock said she often felt like the “least favoured” member of the group because of her race, and that she “sings to fans who don’t see me or hear me or cheer me on”.
The star posted after being left “feeling really heavy” in the wake of George Floyd’s death after he was taken into custody by police in Minneapolis.
A white officer named Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. He has been charged with second degree murder.
Following Thirlwall’s Instagram post, Pinnock shared it, adding: “We’ve held this in way too long.”
