Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has opened up about her relationship with her former bandmates and said it is “sad” she no longer speaks to them.

After nine years with the successful girl group, Nelson left in December 2020 and shared in a statement that the pressures of being in the band had taken a toll on her mental health.

Appearing on The Graham Norton Show to perform her debut solo track Boyz, the 30-year-old remained positive about her former bandmates and said: “To me they are still the sickest girl band in the world.”

However, she added that she was not on speaking terms with Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall.

The singer said: “We’re not talking any more. It is sad but honestly there is no bad blood from my side, and I still love them to pieces and genuinely wish them all the best.

“I loved my time with them, and we’ve got the most incredible memories together, but it’s just one of those things which needs to take time, so who knows.”

The singer’s appearance comes in the wake of a recent backlash to her debut solo track, featuring US rapper Nicki Minaj.

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The accompanying music video prompted accusations of blackfishing – the practice of a non-black person trying to appear black.

She has since denied using fake tan and apologised for causing any offence. In a live stream she insisted that a recent trip to Antigua was to blame for her darker appearance.

Reports that Leigh-Anne Pinnock had warned Nelson about blackfishing prompted Minaj to defend her fellow Boyz songstress on social media.

Don’t call things out when they benefit your personal vendetta to ppl. Call them out immediately once you see it chile. Don’t wait a decade after you’ve made millions with the person 🤣 #BoyzOutNow https://t.co/SeXUPFxMyp

The star has continued to promote her new song and when asked about her future plans, she said: “An album hopefully next year. I’m still in the writing process and I don’t want to rush things.”

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