Little Mix star Perrie Edwards opens up about her journey from a shy girl in South Shields to global superstardom, and for the first time, the private battles she fought along the way. From life-threatening childhood illness and years of surgery, to panic attacks so severe she couldn’t leave the house, Perrie reveals the moments that nearly broke her, and the resilience that kept her going.
For the first time, Perrie shares the truth about her most painful heartbreaks, the public breakup that left her traumatised, and how toxic relationships once shaped her idea of love. She speaks candidly about meeting her fiancé Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, finding a safe and supportive relationship, and becoming a mother after experiencing a devastating miscarriage at 24 weeks.
From X Factor auditions and being underestimated as a girl band, to selling millions of records and learning to redefine success on her own terms, Perrie reflects on fame, grief, motherhood, and the courage it takes to protect your peace in the public eye.
Now, with her debut solo album on the horizon, she’s learning to create without pressure, embrace vulnerability, and find joy again in the music.
Perrie shares:
◽ How a childhood illness shaped her love of singing
◽ The panic disorder that made her afraid to leave home
◽ Why toxic relationships once felt “normal”
◽ The grief of miscarriage and losing a baby at 24 weeks
◽ How Alex helped her find safety and love again
◽ What fame taught her about resilience and self-worth
◽ Why she’s no longer chasing chart positions with her music
Perrie Edwards, We Need to Talk.
Content warning: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. We’ve included links to support charities below:
Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVb
Sands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVb
'If He Wanted To He Would' is out this Friday 22nd August!
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(00:00) Intro
(02:08) Perrie's Experience of Moving Around a Lot as a Child
(05:51) Perrie's Health Issues as a Child
(13:56) Perrie's Lack of Smell
(19:49) How Did Perrie's Love of Singing Develop?
(26:03) How Perrie Got Onto X-Factor
(32:52) Tinder Ad
(34:03) Love Better Tour Ad
(35:08) Perrie's Time in Little Mix and Their Dynamic When They Were Making/Touring Their Music
(40:27) Why Perrie Thinks Little Mix Remain the Underdog of Girl Groups
(43:21) How Perrie Has Dealt With Instability in Her Life
(46:49) Perrie's Relationship With Zayn Malik
(56:34) How Perrie Met Her Husband Alex
(01:00:43) The Difference in Dynamic Between Perrie's Relationship With Zayn and With Alex
(01:07:19) How Would Perrie Describe Her Relationship With Alex?
(01:09:37) How Has Having Her Son Changed Perrie?
(01:11:58) Pregnancy Speculation in the Media
(01:14:09) Perrie's Experience of Pregnancy and Miscarriage
(01:20:53) How Alex Dealt With the Miscarriages
(01:24:20) Perrie's Struggle With Panic Attacks Since Little Mix
(01:30:04) Perrie's Experience of Agoraphobia
(01:33:11) Perrie's New Album
(01:36:25) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:40:25) Paul's Takeaways
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