Behind the scenes with… Leigh-Anne of Little Mix Wrap up on ‘the hardest thing she’s ever done’ – her film debut in Boxing Day | News about Ant-Man & Art

As part of one of Britain’s biggest girl bands, Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock is no stranger to performing.

But now she’s stepped off the stage, and now at least away from Little Mix, and in front of the camera for her first movie role in Boxing Day – which is being billed as a black rom-com Britain’s first.

The star told Sky News’s Backstage podcast that despite her experience, it hasn’t been an easy transition.

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“It was pretty wild and for me, I think it was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” explains Pinnock.

“I mean, I could be on stage and I could sing in front of millions of people, but the first day I stepped on that set, I was so scared, it’s a whole new world, you know? “

In the film, the singer plays a pop star – so maybe not the biggest thing for her – but she said she hopes the role is just the beginning.

“It was super scary, but I loved every second of it, and for me, I felt like I was definitely at fault in the acting.

“I want to keep doing more things, so I’m excited to see what else hopefully gets done.”

Boxing Day is based on the life of writer and director Aml Ameen.

The Yardie actor, who also stars in the film, wrote the film to reflect on his own experiences growing up and move away from the idea that a production with a black cast would be staged on the street. city.

The result – a festive fun-feeling drama, in the vein of Love Actually.

He told Sky News’ Backstage Podcast that he was enjoying his moment, saying: “I’m the luckiest person happening right now, I think today is my day – do you mind if I take it?

“I’m the luckiest man in the world, at least in the UK – that’s what it feels like, it’s a great feeling, and it’s great to have the cast that I got.”

“You’re talking about Oscar nominees Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Aja King, Stephen Dillane, you know some of the cast are really brilliant – and of course, the biggest pop star Leigh-Anne Pinnock, because So I feel extremely lucky to have come together.”

It seems odd that we’ve never seen a British black rom-com released before, but Ameen says he doesn’t think the length of this film can be shortened in any way. what.

He said: “I think sometimes life has to have climactic events that come together to create the present opportunity, and when there are people willing to take the chance, luck like a good movie happens. out”.

“I think the Internet has helped a lot. People are very interested in other people’s cultures, I think I’m an artist, I haven’t written it yet and this particular version comes from my brain, so I have to go through a series of developments and learn and travel.

“I think it’s a bunch of things why not? But I like to think like that, it’s here and that’s what we have to focus on.

The movie comes out at the end of a great year for Pinnock.

In May, she made history as part of the first girl band to ever win Best British Group at the Brit Awards, and in her personal life she has became a mother – welcomed twins with fiance Andre Gray in August.

She said the film – her first time performing a solo documentary – meant a lot to her.

“I feel like this is probably one of the most exciting moments in my personal career, like NS and I’m so excited for everyone to see,” Pinnock told Sky News.

“Even for me to sing alone, it’s not something I’ve done for 10 years.

“So I mean that in itself is scary.”

But while this is her first film role and her first solo singing, Ameen says Pinnock has proven she’s the right person for the job.

“Leigh-Anne got us really emotional in this jazz cafe setting, where she really took us to something really poignant,” he said.

“And actually, it was the first week of filming doing it, and she was completely absorbed in it.

“So I’d love for people to see her in this performance man, it’s very powerful.”

Boxing Day is in theaters now, listen to our review of the new episode of Backstage – the TV series and podcast from Sky News.