Despite Perrie’s label’s heavy financial backing, her first single only hit No.10 in the charts – now her follow-up single Tears, is languishing at Number 69
Perrie Edwards has sparked crisis talks at Columbia Records after her solo music failed to set the charts alight.
The former Little Mixer’s first single, Forget About Us, was released in April amid a blaze of publicity. But despite the label’s heavy financial backing, it only hit No.10 in the charts. Now, Perrie’s follow-up single, Tears, is languishing at No.69.
A music industry source says: “There’s real unease at Columbia. They poured serious resources into making her a solo success, including signing a director for her videos who worked with Beyonce.
“But so far, as they see it, this hasn’t paid off. Everyone at Columbia is aware that sometimes these things need to build. But there’s no getting away from the fact their expectations were higher.” A source close to the star tells us: “Perrie’s made a brilliant start. Globally, she’s had 38 million streams, Forget About Us was the No.1 airplay single for seven weeks, and Tears had 2.6million streams in two weeks. It’s a lot to be proud of.”
As a group, Little Mix enjoyed global sales of over 60 million. But since parting ways, Perrie, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson have all struggled to make their mark in the charts. Jesy, first off the blocks, hit No.4 with Boyz, featuring Nicki Minaj. Follow-up Bad Thing hit No.15, but only on the download chart. And Leigh-Anne only got to No.11 with Don’t Say Love, and No.28 with My Love, featuring Ayra Starr.
Earlier this year, we revealed that label Warner was so unimpressed, they didn’t even fund a video for third record Stealin’ Love.
Columbia last night said: “Perrie is one of Columbia’s priority artists. We’re proud of her UK Top 10 debut single and are very excited about Perrie’s forthcoming music and plans.”
Jade Thirlwall –whose solo debut Angel of My Dreams is due out this month – will be the last Little Mixer to go it alone. No pressure…
