Life on Tour and Fan Obsession

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I will say what I was blown away. this is the stat I was blown away. so I was interviewing Ashley Roberts And I was doing research on the pussy cat dolls. at how many albums, streams and singles the pussyats pussy Gat dolls had sold. Yeah There were only a few groups that had sold more Right You know who the the top three. Okay It was the Spice Girls. Yeah The Supremes Oh wow. And littleittle mix. No. Yes. I thought you were going say Destiny's Ch like on Vogo. Destiny's Child was next. Wow Yes. in wild In term in terms of Albums, streams, singles That's mind blowers are there. That's just We did so well That is crazy. Yeah, it's just mad. Yeah. So when you think about that entire period, like how many years Woa whereere you and the girls together twelve I believe. Okay. Yeah. And that was an important twelve because you were literally becoming a woman. Yes. during that time.. So how do you think being in this super group Mhm. shaped you as a woman Oh massively. I feel like because I was the youngest as well, I looked up to them so much. and I learnnt so much from them I feel like growing up in the public eye isn't easy But when you have three other girls who have gone through it It kind of takes the load off a little bit But I always say like it sounds crazy, but Men and the girls were so in each other's pockets And so in sync that it was like next level in sync. So like If one of us went through heartbreak, we all felt it If one of us lost a family member We were all heartbroken. If one of us was like winning in life, we were all winning in life. L we were literally, we felt every emotion like in sync. It was so bizarre. Like not just like, a whole baby I'm here for you. It was like we were all heartbroken because we just felt it. we didn't want to see one of us that down in that Sad. We all just kind of tuck it on as well. So I think our connection was huge And I'm so grateful because When we were put in the group, it was like Gooband Clash You'll argue You won't get along It'll be really competitive. And there was moments where it was like Bab, can you stop kissing me out Other than that, we just adored each other. like we had each other's backs, we didn't argue, and even though peopleeople wanted to make that the headline every five seconds of our career. We didn't. We just knew exactly what we wanted. We had each other We all had one vision and one goal and we knew what we wanted to do. and we were always the underdogs Like from the very beginning, it was like, you wanton't do very well. Gobans don't do that well and it won't last and All this stuff, and we I think that's what give us the fire in our bellies to want to work so much and so hard to prove everybody wrong So I think that's why we were never We never just sat back and thought, oh We were like, what can we do now? What else can we do? How can we make this bigger? Where can we take this now? Like we were constantly es at a pace. Yes. And I mean you can see it in the results, you know, so ye the biggest selling the biggest selling single Shout out to my ex stayed at number one for three weeks, achieved over two million in total sales in the UK Billboard ranked magic among the one hundred greatest girl group songs of all time. Wow debut album DNA was the first by a British girl group to debut in the US top. Yeah Spice girls't even do That one was a big one. I mean, Your fourth album, Glory Days became the longest reigning top forty album by a girl Group since the spice girls. It's like numbers don't lie Yeah in terms of how successful the group was. Do you think there was ever a point where you were no longer? Underdog or did you stay? Stayed. You stayed. Yeah, you could read those numbers to a million people and they'd be like, Yeah they weren't that good People just didn't see us as that credible for a long time. I think eventually people started to say it, but I still think they looked at us and thought, o they just four little girls in pop group I don't think they really saw The graph and the dedication and The numbers, like and the success that we had, I still think people kind of overay it a little bit.. Why do you think that is, right? Now that you could reflect back a little bit, I know it was a different time in terms of media. But why do you think that little mix remain the underdog I think part of it was the art age in our name Great because it kept us young But at the same time, I think We were like four little girls kind of at the start. and I think even when we were like thirty years old, people were still like Oh no mgs Like I don't think they really, like people age Funnily enough. And I think they always just se us as like these little pop girlies. I don't think we ever shook that, which We didn't really care to be honest because we were like, we're living our best lives but People did have that like opinion on us. Yeah. So I got to the UK U in twenty seventeen, twenty eighteen. Every time I heard Little Mix, right? Yeah. I thought Um Advocate around feminism. Yeah. addvocate around queer rights you know, so To me, those are positions of leadership, though. Did you feel like that gave the group any bit of Oh the visibility of maturity? Yes. Okay. I do think so. I think like when I'm saying people didn't see us as that credible and all these other things, it was more the people that didn't want to like littleittle Mix Everyone who wanted to like littleittle Mix They were the reason we were so big because they were so dedicated. They were like die hard and still are die hard fans, like I think our Spotify streams were still one of the highest girl groups. Still, we haven't released a song in years They're still there, they're still listening. they're still loving it And that's why I think We have it all to thank like they are everything, our fan base. They were huge Like massive. Yes Massive. They went Argantuan. Yeah. Large. like ye, every descriptor you could say for massive. It was so good. So Those moments though I know that you've said that those are some of the greatest moments of your life, but must have been challenging as well. Oh yeah. When you reflect back What was or what do you believe was the most challenging moment for you during your time Omx Your call has been forwarded to voicemail Hey, this is Zoe Deutch. and Nick Robinson. O brand new movie, Voicemails for Isabele is all about those little moments that feel like the universe is looking out. Feling homesick Th then your sister calls. Hearing that perfect song exactly when you need it Sometimes life rig things in our favor, like learning about your new favorite ROom com voicemails for Isabel. Oly on Netflix june nineteenth Good sleep is everything That's why Ollie's science back support is made with a blend of melatonin and LDianine for both kiddles and grownups. So when your mind won't switch off, you've got something that can help Eeracing thoughts and restless nights won't stand a chance Find Ollie sleep solutions for the whole family at Ollie. com That's O L LY d. com God. I don't even want to say it because everyone will be like, I'll let it go it was so long ago Probably going through a public breakup was the worst ever for me It was horrible. And also going through like personersal things with family or personal things with likeike we We're so dedicated to little mix that I think we like being away from our family and friends was really difficult. Like that's another side that people don't say. We were like young girs whisked off and that was it. I didn't see my mom very much. My brother didn't see my family for a lot of time And I think that was kind of the hardest parts. And then just going through anything personal in the public is just M sticky Awful. Yes. How did you manage that because you know, you were From looking at you as a little girl, right moving around the sense of I need to have some stability in my life then you become an adult and you're moving around, going around, there's no stability. Yeah. So how do you then reconcile being able to feel safe and stable and this motion that you're continually in I think I probably feel more safe and settled now than I ever have been But I think it's because I have like a very stable relationship I have a child things aren't as chaotic as it was in the little mixed d is So I think Obviously having a child it just puts everything in perspective, right? You don't sweat the small stuff anymore, you think, there's actually bigger things in life than worries and issues that I have, like, yeah, they're valid. It's great to feel them, but I think when you kind of settle down and you meet your person and you have a child and All these lovely things happen in life. It's I can exhle.. I can exhale. This is lovely. But during that time it seems like during the, you know, the time in the group, you couldn't You just I couldn't now. You just Yeah, it was too much. It was really hard to have relationships when we were in littleittle Mix because I think it's a lot to ask of someone U becausecause we were never home likeike ever. and we never really had days off It was probably like right about Christmas would get a little bit of time off, but Yeah, I think it wouldd have been hard to kind of navigate a relationship at that time anyway Um And I remember meeting Alex and we were going to go on the Ariana Grande tour for three months And I was like, Look, I've g ont to a three months We can call this off now if you want And he was like, whyy would we do that? And I'll just in my head assume that Someone wouldn't wait for me if I was doing my thing for three months So I just assumed, oh, he' would probably just go. And then that'll be it And he was Why can't I wait for you for three month? What's wrong with that? And I was like Really He was like, yes, why wouldn't I what do you mean That's okay. Fab And then that was when we started our relationship. So the first three months of our relationship, we were just Skcape and h Scape But let's talk about that though, because because It's you had already assumed that you can't sustain a relationship with someone or maybe someone can't sustain a relationship with you or maybe it's not fair Yes. because of your job. Yes. right. So when you look back, What do you think it was or what is it? and this isn't just for you. This is for anyone who's in this constant flow in their position. What do What do you think the reason is why a relationship can't be sustained I think it probably comes from maybe past relationships and how the other persons handled it And then you just assume Oh, nobody's going to want this Does that make sense? Yes. So I think maybe my previous relationship made me think,h, I probably can't have My k can eat it. I probably can't be a pop star and have a relationship. It's one of the other How is it that you begin working with one direction So I was actually pregnant when I met them. and so I wanted boys and they were really like nurturing with me and I felt like they would just look after me and I just wanted to work with them. I didn't realize at the time how big they would be. I actually thought it would be an easier gig and one of the big female acts Where it's sort of hard to work, you've got to carry a lot more kit around for one of the girls or whatever So I thought theirre cool They're really easy go in then nice to me and I'm going to stick with that and They just got bigger and bigger and bigger Did you have anyone assisting you or was it only you working for one direction So no, I just worked for them on my own but later on in the tour, maybe four years later Louis from one direction, his younger sister and Her mom called me up and was like, You know She hasn't got into sixth form and She wants to do what you do. so she's coming to be your assistant and I didn't really have much to say But she ended up being my assistant and actually She was like a little grafterfter and She ended up teaching me so much because the world of social media was taking over the beauty industry and sheo was sixteen. so She knew all of that and I just wouldn't have I wouldn't have been across the social media world like like I was so early on if it wasn't her And she taught me a lot that ended up making me secure in my career even after one directation had finished because I ended up going into that out side of things because of her. Wow, look at that. This is Lottie. Yes. Okay All right, so now let's talk about this tour You think you're going on this little tour with this band that probably won't become huge Yeah, so I just had a baby and they'd said, you know what about if you bring Bring her because the boys really want you U And we can do this in some logistic discussions. and actually never really came home for five years from that it just kept Bo in and Ma would get booked in because it was going so well And it just spiraled into what it turned into. and I was committed I was in it with them. Their diary was my diary. I would never say I can't be there Be they can't do that. You had a very intimate look onene of the most successful bands. as they climb the charts. So what did you notice about how they changed. as their Notoriety grew. I think that when people become more successful, they do naturally become a lot more They keep their circle close smaller And we sort of had five circles really on our tour and I think that became really difficult for them. to go after what they wanted because There was kind of this bigger picture going on that was so successful They had to all really not make it about them. But they all had things that they wanted to achieve. And I think with that gig, specifically, that there just had to be an end pointint. because It wasn't sustainable because there were five human beings with five You know life goals and things that they want, even people on the team and we have been offered these opportunities because it was so successful that we couldn't take know, they were been offered movies, they were being offered all of these things And so to keep touring ass a group It wasn't really possible if they wanted to achieve anything, what they wanted to achieve Outside of that So I mean, I would love them to come back together and do something hope that they do because I think that's actually even the gone on to do amazing things. I think now when you look back at what they were doing, that was what was cool. Yes. you know. And that was why all our fans are there because it was really cool thenen they've gone off to do all of the things that they want to do. And so have we and everybody is part of it But it makes sense in that as The whole enterprise became more successful. Everyone's getting opportunities, right as a result of that.. When you think back to the highs and lows, What were some of the greatest highs? of traveling band throughout the world with your with your daughter, what were some of those greatest highs for you Um I can't I can never think of anything specific and that is because it's such Bur really And even just how it would be with some of the hotels and the crowds of fans that were waiting all the time and it sort of meant we couldn't really Do much It was it was You know, we would kind of me and Lotie would kind of try and sneak out and get to like a Zar or a Starbucks or something to try and get out of the hotel, but really We were waiting for the time off to be able to just go on our holiday or things like that because the time on tour was quite was quite hard work to Do anything fun Yes. we would They were going on like the biggest shows in the world and we were on a private jet every day and all of that, but really that becomes quite My that just becomes normal life and not that exciting after you know, my mum used to come out to help me with the baby. She'd just be like videoing like the police convoy and like the jet and like video ining Harry what he's doing and I'm like,, I'll stop filming him. like And she's like so exciting. And it becomes a bit of an eye roll really When you're doing it? doing? Be you're just doing your job and So what stands out most are the sea of fans. Yeah, the sea of fans and like The people, you know, they would be like Barack Obama there . or like Yeah, everyone. every anyone you could think of. I remember we saw Mm and M at something and his daughter was there and They would just be like Everyone you could think of would have kids that wanted to come and see one direction wherever we were in the world. You know, I always find it interesting when you see someone like a Barack Obama, for example. I would imagine it was his daughters. Yeah that wanted to come see one direction.. So Sasha Malia. So you think, okay Here's Barack Obama. At that time, was he president of the United States? He's president of the United States, comes to see this group, right that you're working with Does what does that teach you or show you about humanity Just that were all the same. So you talked about the sea of fans. I would imagine But fans did some pretty wild things. to get to the boys What were some of those you know, they would be just like transit vans full of girls along the motway and they've opened the side thing and they're trying to touch the car and we're all driving Really, really dangerous. Oh my gosh. Do they break into the hotels They would always be in the hotels yard, because they would just book rooms So really they would you know Because they were young they would generally do as they were told. if they were in the swimming pool or the gym and we would go in the gym. if security would say you need to get out now they would do as they were told. Whereas some of the older people that would come and there was quite there were a few elderly fans that would come everywhere They sort of don't get moved on as much.eresting. Actually was a I would find that more threatening. I didn't understand that as much as the younger fans of why they they were there again when they were in the last hotel and now you're in this Oh wow, so they would just book throughout the whole tour and just stay with you all. Yeah And they would have a lot of information and some of them were like elderly. Do you think the guys felt safe all the time No I would because I would not not whatsoever, you know, with the And if you want to hear the full unfiltered stories from today's guest, you can check them out. We need to talk page. 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