Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock to star in BBC racism documentary
Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock is set to present a special one-0ff BBC Three documentary exploring the issues of racism and colourism in the UK.
Leigh-Anne: Colourism & Race will follow the singer as she speaks with her family and friends about the issues and meets with experts and her role models to address big questions about race and prejudice.
Cameras will follow Leigh-Anne at home, behind the scenes with her Little Mix bandmates Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards and on the road as she works through vital questions about race and racism.
Related: Little Mix's Leigh-Anne says she doesn't care if she loses racist fans
"Leigh-Anne has experienced racism during her life and is at a genuine crossroads," the BBC said while announcing the documentary's commission. "She is aware that having lighter skin and being a celebrity means she is sometimes said to be in a more privileged position than others.
"She wants to explore this and use her platform to debate these issues too."
According to the statement Leigh-Anne, who also recently appeared on Channel 4 racism documentary The Talk, "has come to believe that we live in a profoundly racist society" and that the more she learns about systemic racism in Britain, the more she feels she must do something.
"I want to make this film because I have always been passionate about rights for Black people," Leigh-Anne said. "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.
A moment of unity I will NEVER forget... BLACK LIVES MATTER 🖤
A post shared by Leigh-Anne Pinnock (@leighannepinnock) on Jun 8, 2020 at 12:28pm PDT
"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."
Fiona Campbell, Controller for BBC Three, said, "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 documentary, which is being made by Dragonfly Film and Television, marks the debut film of director Tash Gaunt, who is a childhood friend of Leigh-Anne.
Related: Little Mix's Leigh-Anne left in tears by altercation with random man
Leigh-Anne's bandmate Jade recently opened up about her own experiences of racism, saying that she was bulled at school due to her Arab heritage.
She also called out Microsoft earlier this summer for confusing her with Leigh-Anne after they posted an article about Jade accompanied by a photo of Leigh-Anne.
"If you're going to copy and paste articles from other accurate media outlets, you might want to make sure you're using an image of the correct mixed race member of the group," she said.
Leigh-Anne: Colourism & Race will air on BBC Three later this year.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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