"I don't think people knew that I was really, truly unhappy for quite a long time."

December of 2020 saw popular UK girl group and 'X-Factor' winners Little Mix go from a quartet to a trio. Now nearly a year later, Jesy Nelson has opened up about her time with the group, saying it was an unhappy time in her life.

Speaking on 'Reign with Josh Smith', Nelson said there were "so many factors" that led to her decision to leave the music group. She said: "I don't think people knew that I was really, truly unhappy for quite a long time, like, 10 years of my life.

"Don't get me wrong, I had times when there was moments when I really loved it. But it felt like there was way more times when I was sad than I was happy. I don't think people realise how hard it is to be in a girl band."

She continued to explore her reasons, saying that it wasn't just her opinion that mattered within that setting, but three others as well, leading to compromises, which would eventually lead to disagreements.

Nelson said she felt "trapped" by being part of the group, from elements such as clothing in music videos, and the "constant comparison" that would happen to her every day.

Becoming physically emotional, Jesy Nelson further highlighted what made her unhappy: "I feel like a lot of people think it's selfish that I've left the group, and it really affected me at the start. I really didn't want to upset people and I didn't want people to think that about me.

"But I don't care anymore because it was 10 years of my life that I was very unhappy with. And I needed to take myself out of that and genuinely do what's going to make me happy. And some people may not understand that, but you live once, and you have to do what makes you happy."

The pop star says that where she now feels "liberating" as she embarks on carving out a solo career for herself to make the music she's "always wanted to make".

Since leaving the group, Nelson's former colleagues have continued as a trio. Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have both welcomed new babies, while Jade Thirlwall slagged off Noel Gallagher on 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks'.

For her first solo outing, the 30-year-old will be collaborating with Nicki Minaj on her first track 'Boyz'. It is expected to be released very soon.