Jade Thirlwall has admitted she used to be "scared to promote her heritage".
In a new cover interview with Rolling Stone UK, the singer recalled feeling alienated at school due to her being half Arab, with Yemeni and Egyptian roots. Jade explained the lack of positive role models she had growing up has inspired her to celebrate her background in the hope it will help others.
"I'd only ever seen negative stereotypes of Arab people in the press, so I was scared to promote my heritage," she shared with the publication. "I feel sad for my younger self that I could've been the representation I needed back then. I try to make up for that now."
Jade also touched upon moving on to pursue a solo career after finding fame with UK girl group Little Mix in 2011.
The 31-year-old star admitted it took some time to adjust to being a solo artist, but making her own decisions has proven a much-needed confidence boost.
"I didn't know how to be a woman in my own right," she revealed. "When we first stopped, I was lost because I was like, 'f**k, every decision I've made over the past decade hasn't been my own'. It took me a minute to get my independence back."
Jade's successful music career was celebrated at the Rolling Stone UK Awards in London on Thursday evening.
The star performed her debut solo single Angel of My Dreams during the ceremony at the Roundhouse and took home the Trailblazer Award.
As she accepted the accolade, Jade revealed she was proud of all she has achieved.
"Lastly I want to thank myself," she told the crowd. "Because it's really scary going from being in a girl band for over 10 years, that was all I knew for so long, to coming out as a solo artist - I was terrified. So I'm really proud of myself."
