Little Mix & One Direction: What REALLY Happened Off Stage

Summary

Podcast Summary: We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
Episode: Little Mix & One Direction: What REALLY Happened Off Stage
Date: June 4, 2026
Host: Paul C. Brunson (‘A’)
Guests: Perrie Edwards (‘C’, Little Mix), Lou Teasdale (‘B’, former One Direction stylist)

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Paul C. Brunson facilitates an open, insightful conversation with Perrie Edwards and Lou Teasdale, pulling back the curtain on what really happened off stage in two of the 2010s’ most iconic pop acts: Little Mix and One Direction. The discussion ranges from record-breaking successes and relentless touring to the unseen emotional and personal challenges of growing up under a global spotlight.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Formation and Success of Little Mix

• Little Mix’s Origins and Achievements

  • Perrie reflects on being the first group to win the X Factor (01:01–01:10).
  • Paul highlights the band's extraordinary commercial success, ranking them just behind the Spice Girls and the Supremes for total sales and streaming figures, surpassing Destiny’s Child (01:45–01:57).
  • Quote:
    • “There were only a few groups that had sold more … the top three: the Spice Girls, the Supremes, and Little Mix.” – Paul (01:45–01:51)

• Sisterhood and Emotional Bond

  • Perrie discusses the intensity of the bond between the group members, experiencing life events collectively and being “next level in sync” (02:36–03:55).
  • The group actively defied stereotypes of girl group rivalry and competition (03:55–04:41).
  • Quote:
    • “We were so in each other’s pockets and so in sync … if one of us went through heartbreak, we all felt it.” – Perrie (02:36–03:03)

• Fighting the Underdog Perception

  • Despite their metrics, the band constantly felt underestimated and never truly shed the “underdog” label (05:37–06:03).
  • Perrie believes their youth and the group’s name contributed to an enduringly unserious perception from the public and media (06:18–06:55).
  • Quote:
    • “I still think people kind of oversee it a little bit … I don’t think they really saw the graft and the dedication and the numbers, and the success that we had.” – Perrie (05:38–05:57)

• Leadership and Advocacy

  • Paul acknowledges Little Mix’s role as advocates for feminism and queer rights, and questions whether that lent the group added legitimacy (07:03–07:23).

• The Power of the Fanbase

  • The guests praise the dedication and size of the Little Mix fanbase, noting continued high streaming numbers despite a hiatus (07:23–08:15).
  • Quote:
    • “They were like, die hard and still are, like, die hard fans.” – Perrie (07:29)

The Emotional Toll of Pop Stardom

• Personal Challenges and Sacrifices

  • Perrie reveals the hardest aspects of fame: public breakups, family separation, and living life in the public eye (09:30–10:13).
  • Quote:
    • “Probably going through a public breakup was the worst ever for me. It was horrible … being away from our family and friends was really difficult. That’s another side that people don’t see.” – Perrie (09:30–10:07)

• Navigating Relationships While On Tour

  • Perrie explains the instability of life on the road, the challenges of maintaining relationships, and how meeting her partner Alex shifted her expectations (11:32–12:39).
  • Quote:
    • “[Alex] was like, why can’t I wait for you for three months? What’s wrong with that? … And then that was when we started our relationship. So the first three months… we were just Skyping.” – Perrie (12:20–12:39)

• The Impact of Past Relationships

  • She points out how previous relationship experiences affected her capacity to believe she could “have it all” (13:10–13:22).

---

Inside One Direction: Life on Tour

• Lou Teasdale’s Start with One Direction

  • Lou shares how joining One Direction as a stylist was initially seen as a flexible, friendly gig that soon escalated into full-blown global phenomenon (13:47–14:24).
  • Quote:
    • “I just wanted to work. I didn’t realize at the time how big they would be … and they just got bigger and bigger and bigger.” – Lou (13:47–14:20)

• Adapting to Social Media

  • Lou recounts how the presence of Louis Tomlinson’s younger sister as her assistant helped her adapt to the rising influence of social media (14:29–15:31).

• Commitment and Sacrifice

  • Lou describes the unpredictability of tour life and her complete immersion into the boys’ schedules – “their diary was my diary” (15:44–16:19).

• How Fame Changes People

  • Lou outlines how escalating fame led members to narrow their social circles, the tension between individual dreams and group obligations, and why the “pop machine” model wasn’t sustainable long-term (16:36–18:08).
  • Quote:
    • “When people become more successful, they do naturally become a lot more… they keep their circle close, smaller.” – Lou (16:36–16:43)
    • “With that gig specifically, there just had to be an end point because it wasn't sustainable … they all had things they wanted to achieve.” – Lou (17:16–17:34)

• Reality vs. Glamour

  • Despite private jets and celebrity encounters, Lou emphasizes that the non-stop nature of tours made even extravagant experiences feel routine (18:45–20:02).
  • Quote:
    • “We were on a private jet every day … that just becomes normal life and not that exciting after [a while]…” – Lou (19:01–19:32)

• The Wild Side of Fandom

  • Sea of fans everywhere, with stories of concert-goers going to great lengths – including dangerous car chases and breaking into hotels (21:09–21:41).
  • Lou describes both the excitement and at times unsettling aspects of fame, including persistent older fans (21:41–22:10).
  • Quote:
    • “They would be just like transit vans full of girls along the motorway … trying to touch the car, and we’re all driving and it’s really, really dangerous.” – Lou (21:09–21:21)

• Emotional Safety and Toll

  • On whether the band members felt safe:
    • “No.” – Lou (22:18–22:19)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Perrie on Growth:

  • “Growing up in the public eye isn’t easy, but when you have three other girls who are going through [it], it kind of takes the load off.” (02:36–02:53)

• Lou on Career Evolution:

  • “[Lottie] ended up teaching me so much because the world of social media was taking over the beauty industry.” (14:43–15:09)

• Paul on Perception:

  • “I thought, you know, advocate around feminism. Advocate around queer rights. You know, so to me, those are positions of leadership, though.” (07:03–07:10)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:01 – First group to win X Factor (Little Mix origin story)
• 02:36 – Perrie on emotional bond and group dynamics
• 04:41 – Major Little Mix career highlights, records, and stats
• 06:18 – Why Little Mix always felt like “underdogs”
• 09:30 – The hardest moments: public scrutiny and family sacrifice
• 11:25 – Finding stability post-Little Mix
• 13:47 – Lou Teasdale starts with One Direction
• 16:36 – One Direction’s evolution and the inevitability of an endpoint
• 18:45 – Touring highs and the blur of pop stardom
• 20:07 – The spectacle of fandom: celebrity encounters and fan stories
• 21:09 – Wild fan devotion and the challenges of safety

---

Overall Tone

The conversation is candid, nostalgic, and deeply personal. Both guests openly acknowledge their gratitude for incredible opportunities, while not shying away from the emotional complexity and personal sacrifices that life in a “pop machine” demanded. Moments of humor and reflection punctuate the discussion, providing listeners with a sense of both the pressure and privilege of pop stardom.

---

For more stories behind the headlines, follow @needtotalk on Instagram and @weneedtotalkpod on TikTok.

Transcript

[A]

This is what everyone's talking about.

[B]

Everything's on the table.

[A]

This is what champions come to take. This is what everyone came to see. No do overs, no second chances. No more Mr. Nice Guy. This is winner take all. The NBA Finals continue on ABC and the ESPN app. Welcome to we're talking. In this episode, Perry Edwards and Lou Teasdale pull back the curtain on what life was really like inside a 2010s pop machine. From global tours and record breaking highs to the emotional toll of growing up on the road. So the super group is put together.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

And you go on to win.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

For what I understand this is the first group to win the X Factor.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

All right.

[C]

Not bad, crazy.

[A]

Not bad, not shy. And then you go on to participate in a little group called Little Mix.

[C]

Yeah. Which casual.

[A]

I will say, when I was blown away, this is the stat. I was blown away. So I was interviewing Ashley Roberts and I was doing research on the Pussycat Dolls.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

At how many albums, streams and singles the Pussycats Pussycat Dolls had sold.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

There were only a few groups that had sold more.

[C]

Right.

[A]

You know, the top three.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It was the Spice Girls.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

The Supremes.

[C]

Oh, wow.

[A]

And Little Mix.

[C]

No.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

I thought you were gonna say Destiny's

[A]

Child on Vogue or Destiny's Child was next.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That's wild.

[A]

In terms of albums, streams, singles,

[C]

that's mind blowing, isn't it?

[A]

That's just.

[C]

We did so well. That is crazy.

[A]

Yeah. It's just mad.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So when you think about that entire period, like, how many years were you and the girls together?

[C]

12, I believe.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And that was an important 12 because you were literally becoming a woman.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

During that time. So how do you think being in this super group shaped you as a woman?

[C]

Oh, massively, I feel like. Cause I was the youngest as well. I looked up to them so much and I learned so much from them. I feel like growing up in the public eye isn't easy, but when you have three other girls who are going through kind of takes the load off a little bit. But I always say, like, it sounds crazy, but me and the girls were so in each other's pockets and so in sync that it was like next level in sync. So, like, if one of us went through heartbreak, we all felt it. If one of us lost a family member, we were all heartbroken. If one of us was, like, winning in life, we were all winning in life. Like, we were literally, we felt every emotion, like, in sync. It was so bizarre. Like, not just like, oh, babe, I'm here for you. It was like we were all heartbroken. Cause we just felt it. We didn't want to see one of us that down and that sad. We all just kind of took it on as well. So I think our connection was huge. And I'm so grateful because when we were put in the group, it was like, girl bands clash. You'll argue, you won't get along, it'll be really competitive. And there was moments where it was like, babe, can you stop pissing me off? But other than that, we just adored each other. Like, we had each other's backs. We didn't argue. And even though people wanted to make that the headline every five seconds of our career, we didn't. We just knew exactly what we wanted. We had each other. We all had one vision and one goal and we. We knew what we wanted to do. And we were always the underdogs. Like, from the very beginning, it was like, you won't do very well. Girlbands don't do that well, and it won't last, and all this stuff. And I think that's what give us the fire in our bellies to want to work so much and so hard to prove everybody wrong. So I think that's why we were never. We never just sat back and thought, oh, we were like, what can we do now? What else can we do? How can we make this bigger? Where can we take this now? Like, we were constantly going at a pace.

[A]

Yes. And I mean, you can see it in the results, you know. So the biggest selling. The biggest selling single, Shout Out To My Ex, stayed at number one for three weeks, achieved over 2 million in total sales in the UK.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

Billboard ranked Black Magic among the 100 greatest girl group songs of all time.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

The debut album DNA, was the first by a British girl group to debut in the US Top five. Yeah, Spice Girls didn't even do that.

[C]

That one was a big one.

[A]

I mean, your fourth album, Glory Days, became the longest reigning top 40 album by a girl group since the Spice Girls. It's like, numbers don't lie in terms of how successful the group was. Do you think there was ever a point where you were no longer the underdog or did you stay?

[B]

Stayed.

[A]

You stayed.

[C]

Yeah. You could read those numbers to a million people and they'd be like, yeah, they weren't that good. People just didn't see us as that credible for a long time. I think eventually people started to see it, but I still think they looked at us and thought, oh, they're just Four little girls in a pub group. I don't think they really saw the graft and the dedication and the numbers, like, and the success that we had. I still think people kind of oversee it a little bit.

[A]

Why do you think that is right now that you could reflect back a little bit? I know it was a different time in terms of media.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But why do you think that Little Mix remained the underdog?

[C]

I think part of it was our age and our name, which is great because it kept us young. But at the same time, I think we were like four little girls kind of at the start. And I think even when we were, like, 30 years old, people were still like, oh, Lomex. Like, I don't think they really, like, people age, funnily enough. And I think they always just seen us as, like, these little pop girlies. I don't think we ever shook that, which we didn't really care, to be honest. Cause we were like, we're living our best lives. But people did have that opinion on us.

[A]

Yeah. So I got to the UK in 2017, 2018, every time I heard Little Mix. Right.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I thought, you know, advocate around feminism.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Advocate around queer rights.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

You know, so to me, those are positions of leadership, though. Did you feel like that gave the group any bit of the visibility of maturity?

[C]

Yes, I do think so. I think, like, when I'm seeing people didn't see us as that credible and all these other things, it was more the people that didn't want to like Little Mix, Everyone who wanted to like Little Mix, they were the reason we were so big, because they were so dedicated. They were like, die Hard and still are, like, die hard fans. Like, I think our Spotify streams were still one of the highest girl groups still. We haven't released a song in years, but they're still there. They're still listening, they're still loving it. And that's why I think we have it all to thank. Like, they are everything. Our fan base. They were huge.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Like massive.

[A]

Yes. Yeah, Massive.

[C]

They went for it.

[A]

Gargantuan.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Large. Like every. Every descriptor, you could say for massive.

[C]

It was so good.

[A]

So those moments, though, I know that you've said that those are some of the greatest moments of your life, but it must have been challenging as well.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

When you reflect back, what was or what do you believe was the most challenging moment for you during your time with Little Mix? Study and play come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the Unreal College deal everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium and a year of Xbox Game Pass ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn [e-mail] studentoffer while supplies last ends June 30th terms at aka mscollegepc

[B]

ready to soundtrack your summer with Red Bull Summer All Day Play? You choose a playlist that fits your summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic, a deep end dj, a road dog, or a trail mixer? Just add a song to your chosen playlist and put your summer on track. Red Bull Summer All Day Play Red Bull gives you wings. Visit red bull.com brightsummer ahead to learn more. See you this summer.

[C]

Oh God, I don't even want to say it because everyone will be like, oh, let it go. It was so long ago. Probably going through a public breakup was the worst ever for me. It was horrible. And also going through like personal things with family or personal things with like we were so dedicated to little mix that I think we like being away from our family and friends was really difficult. Like that's another side that people don't see. We were like young girls whisked off and that was it. I didn't see my mom very much, my brother didn't see my family for a lot of time. And I think that was kind of the hardest part. And then just going through anything personal in the public is just icky mcpicky.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

It's awful.

[A]

Yes. How did you manage that? Because, you know, you were from looking at you as a little girl.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Moving around, the sense of I need to have some stability in my life.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Then you become an adult and you're moving around, going around. There's no stability. So how do you then reconcile being able to feel safe and stable and this motion that you're continually in?

[C]

I think I probably feel more safe and settled now than I ever have been. But I think it's because I have like a very stable relationship. I have a child. Like things aren't as chaotic as it was in the little mixed days. So I think obviously having a child, it just puts everything in perspective. Right. You don't sweat the small stuff anymore. You think there's actually bigger things in life than these worries and issues that I have? Like, yeah, they're valid. It's great to feel them. But I think when you kind of settle down and you meet your person and you have a child and all These lovely things happen in life. It's like, ah, I can exhale. This is it.

[A]

I can exhale.

[C]

This is lovely.

[A]

But during that time, it seems like during the time in the group, you couldn't. You were just.

[C]

I couldn't. No, you just. Yeah, it was too much. It was really hard to have relationships when we were in little mix. Cause I think it's a lot to ask of someone. Cause we were never home, like, ever. And we never really had days off. It was probably like Roundabout Christmas would get a little bit of time off. But, yeah, I think it would have been hard to kind of navigate a relationship at that time anyway. And I remember meeting Alex and we were gonna go on the Ariana Grande tour for three months. And I was like, look, I'm going on tour three months. We can call this off now if you want. And he was like, why would we do that? And I just, in my head, assumed that someone wouldn't wait for me if I was doing my thing for three months. So I just assumed, oh, he'll probably just go, and then that'll be it. And he was like, why can't I wait for you for three months? What's wrong with that? And I was like, really? He was like, yes. Well, why wouldn't I? What do you mean? And I was like, oh, okay, fab. And then that was when we started our relationship. So the first three months of our relationship, we were just Skyping Skype.

[A]

But let's talk about that, though, because you had already assumed that you can't sustain a relationship with someone. Or maybe someone can't sustain a relationship with you. Or maybe it's not fair because of your job. Right. So when you look back, what do you think it was? Or what is it? And this isn't just for you. This is for anyone who's in this constant flow in their position. What do you think the reason is why a relationship can't be sustained?

[C]

I think it probably comes from maybe past relationships and how the other person's handled it. And then you just assume, oh, nobody's gonna want this. Does that make sense?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So I think maybe my previous relationship made me think, ah, I probably can't have my cake and eat it. I probably can't be a pop star and have a relationship. It's one or the other.

[A]

Okay, So how is it that you begin working with One Direction?

[B]

So I was actually pregnant when I met them. And so I wanted boys, and they were really, like, nurturing with me. And I felt like they would just look after me. And I just wanted to work. I didn't realize at the time how big they would be. I actually thought it would be an easier gig than one of the big female acts where it's sort of hard to work. You've got to carry a lot more kit around for one of the girls or whatever. So I just thought, they're cool, they're really easygoing, they're nice to me. I'm gonna stick with that. And they just got bigger and bigger and bigger.

[A]

Wow. Did you have anyone assisting you or was it only you working for One Direction?

[B]

So, no, I just worked for them on my own. But later on in the tour, maybe four years later, Louis from One Direction, his younger sister, her mum called me up and was like, you know, she hasn't got into sixth form and she wants to do what you do, so she's coming to be your assistant. And I didn't really have much say, but she ended up being my assistant. And actually she was like a little grafter. And she ended up teaching me so much because the world of social media was taking over the beauty industry. And she was 16, so she knew all of that. And I just wouldn't have. I wouldn't have been across the social media world like I was so early on if it wasn't for her. And she taught me a lot that ended up making me secure in my career even after One Direction had finished, because I ended up going into that side of things because of her.

[A]

Wow, look at that. This is Lottie.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay. All right, so now let's talk about this tour that you think you're going on. This little tour with. This band that probably won't become huge.

[B]

Yeah. So I just had a baby and they'd said, you know, what about if you bring her? Because the boys really want you and we can do this. And some logistic discussions and actually never really came home for five years from that. It just kept going and more would get booked in because it was going so well. And it just spiraled into what it turned into. And I was committed. I was in it with them. I what their diary was my diary. I would never say I can't be there. Cause they can't do that.

[A]

You had a very intimate look at one of the most successful bands as they climbed the charts. So what did you notice about how they changed as their notoriety grew?

[B]

I think that when people become more successful, they do naturally become a lot more. They keep their circle close, smaller. And we sort of had five circles, really, on our tour. And I think that it just became really difficult for them to go after what they wanted because there was kind of this bigger picture going on that was so successful, they had to all really not make it about them, but they all had things that they wanted to achieve. And I think with that gig specifically, there just had to be an end point because it wasn't sustainable because there were five human beings with five, you know, life goals and things that they want, even people on the team. We were being offered these opportunities because it was so successful that we couldn't take, you know, they were being offered movies, they were being offered all of these things. And so to keep Turing as a group wasn't really possible if they wanted to achieve anything what they wanted to achieve outside of that. So, I mean, I would love them to come back together and do something. I hope that they do, because I think that's actually, even though they've gone on to do amazing things, I think now when you look back at what they were doing, that was what was cool.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know, and that was why all us fans are there, because it was really cool. But then they've gone off to do all of the things that they want to do and so have we, and everybody was part of it.

[A]

Yeah. But it makes sense in that as the whole enterprise became more successful, everyone's getting opportunities. Right. As a result of that. When you think back to the highs and lows, right, what were some of the greatest highs of traveling with the band throughout the world with your daughter, what were some of those greatest highs for you?

[B]

I can never think of anything specific. And that is because it's such a blur, really, even just how it would be with some of the hotels and the crowds of fans that were waiting all the time. And it sort of meant we couldn't really do much. It was. It was. You know, we would kind of. Me and Lottie would kind of try and sneak out and get to like a Zara or a Starbucks or something to try and get out of the hotel. But really we were waiting for the time off to be able to just go on. On a. On a holiday or things like that, because the. The time on tour was quite. Was quite hard work to do anything fun. Yes, we were. They were going on, like, the biggest shows in the world and we were on a private jet every day and all of that. But really, that becomes quite. If that just becomes normal life and not that exciting after. You know, my mum used to come out to help me with the baby. She'd Just be, like, videoing, like, the police convoy and, like, the jet and, like, videoing Harry, what he's doing. I'm like, oh, my God, stop filming him, like. And she was, like, so excited. And it becomes a bit of an eye roll, really, when you're doing it, because you're just doing your job.

[A]

And so what stands out most are the sea of fans.

[B]

Yeah, the sea of fans. And, like, the people, you know, they would be like, Barack Obama there or. Yeah, everyone. Anyone you could think of. I remember we saw Eminem at something and his daughter was there, and they would just be like, everyone you could think of would have kids that wanted to come and see One Direction wherever we were in the world.

[A]

You know, I always find it interesting when you see someone like Barack Obama, for example. I would imagine it was his daughters that wanted to come see One Direction. So Sasha and Malia. So you think, okay, here's Barack Obama at that time. Was he president of the United States? He's president of the United States. Comes to see this group. Right, that you're working with. What does that teach you or show you about humanity?

[B]

Just that we're all the same.

[A]

So you talked about the sea of fans. I would imagine that fans did some pretty wild things to get to the boys. What were some of those.

[B]

You know, they would be just like transit vans full of girls along the motorway. And they've opened the side thing and they're trying to touch the car, and we're all driving and it's really, really dangerous.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Did they break into the hotels?

[B]

They would always be in the hotels. Yeah. Cause they would just book rooms. So really they were. You know, because they were young, they would generally do as they were told. So if they were in the swimming pool or the gym, and we would go in the gym, if security would say, you need to get out for now, they would do as they were told.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Whereas some of the older people that would come and there was a quite. There were a few elderly fans that would come everywhere. They sort of don't get moved on as much.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

But actually, it was. I would find that more threatening. I didn't understand that as much as the younger fans of why they were there. Again, when they were in the last hotel and now you're in this.

[A]

Oh, wow. So they would just book throughout the whole tour and just stay with you all.

[B]

Yeah. And they would have a lot of information. And some of them were, like, elderly.

[A]

Do you think the guys felt safe all the time?

[B]

No.

[A]

Yeah. I would have cause I would have not whatsoever, you know, with that and if you want to hear the full unfiltered stories from today's guest, you can check them out on the we need to Talk page. Drop a like, leave a comment and hit subscribe. See you next week.

[B]

Your next chapter in healthcare starts at Carrington College's School of Nursing in Portland. Join us for our open house on Tuesday, January 13th from 4 to 7pm you'll tour our campus, see live demos, meet instructors, and learn about our Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares you to become a registered nurse. Take the first step toward your nursing career. Save your spot now at Carrington Edu Nursing Events. For information on program outcomes, visit carrington. Edu sci.

[A]

You can't reason with the sun. Trust us, we've tried. This summer, it's time to put that angry ball of fire on mute. Columbia's Omnishade technology is engineered to protect you from the sun's harsh rays that can burn and damage your skin. The sun is relentless, but so is our gear. Level up your [e-mail] to spend more time outside and less time slathering on aloe lotion. You're welcome, Columbia. Engineered for whatever.