EXCLUSIVE - Jade Thirlwall spoke out about Little Mix being 'overlooked' as she took to the Leeds Festival stage for the first time as a solo artist19:52, 30 Aug 2026Jade Thirlwall reveals she feels that Little Mix were “overlooked” as a group on the festival circuit. The chart-mauling singer made her debut at Leeds Festival on Sunday, performing her biggest hits as well as a touching tribute to her girlband days.‌Fans treated to the likes of Touch, Shout Out To My Ex, Reggeton Lento, Wasabi and Power. But for Jade, who found fame in 2011 as a big part of Little Mix says she and her bandmates, as well as other pop girlies were overlooked.‌Speaking at Leeds Festival, she said: “I’m incredibly proud to come from Little Mix. We never really booked many festivals in our career. I don’t know why I think as we were pop girlies back in the day, it was a bit shunned upon. But I feel now, the pop girlies are smashing it and it’s undeniable so they get invited to these festivals.‌“Being here on my own, feels really f***ing special actually, because I know how much we grafted to be and I’m so proud to be on this stage today and at Leeds festival.”Jade added: “it felt right to pay homage to one of the best girl bands in the world.” It was after this that Jade acknowledged her girl band past, performing their biggest hits.‌A source said: “Jade has more than proved herself since the release of That’s Showbiz Baby. She’s done so many festivals in recent years but to be at Reading and Leeds really is the icing on the cake for her.”Her words come after she got nostalgic a day earlier during her performance at Reading Festival. With the sun coming out on an otherwise rain-soaked day, Jade told the crowd how proud she was of her roots.As the crowds cheered the Geordie star, she joked: "You may not know, but I used to be in a girl band." As the audience went wild, she continued to echo her Leeds views.‌She said: "I really am very proud to come from Little Mix. We never got to do Reading and Leeds, we didn't get to do many festivals actually so this feels like a really special moment for me to be out here on my own with my own music."Little Mix burst onto the scene in 2011 after they were crowned the winners of X Factor. They quickly became one of the most successful girl groups of all time.Article continues belowJade made up the group alongside Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards. Together, they released multiple chart-topping albums and singles, which earned them worldwide recognition for their talent, powerful performances, and girl-power anthems.Sadly a bitter fallout occurred when Jesy left. Despite continuing as a trio, Leigh-Anne, Perrie and Jade went on an indefinite hiatus. But Jade has continued to go from strength to strength as a solo artist, much to the delight of her legion of followers.Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.