Perrie Edwards is opening up about how her past relationships shaped her understanding of love — and how she finally found peace with footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
In a heartfelt chat on Paul C. Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, the Little Mix star reflected on her first love and the lessons that came with it.
Escaping a Toxic First Relationship
Looking back, Perrie admitted that her first serious romance left her wary of love.
While she didn’t name names on the podcast, it’s well known that she was engaged to One Direction star Zayn Malik between 2013 and 2015.
She revealed that the experience made her fear meeting someone new, as she had been led to believe that certain toxic behaviors were normal.
“I think definitely at the time I thought everything we experienced in our relationship was normal,” she said.
“Because it was my first love, I thought it was supposed to feel a little bit toxic.
And then when I became single, I was almost thinking, like, I never, ever want to go through that again.
I didn’t even want to meet anybody. I was like, that’s me done. I don’t think I could bear that pain.”
Learning What Healthy Love Feels Like
Now engaged to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Perrie appreciates the stark contrast in her current relationship.
She praised Alex’s level-headedness and calm demeanor, saying it took her by surprise at first:
“Little things might happen, and I’d think, ‘Oh, now he’s going to kick off,’” she explained.
“And he’d just be like, ‘Alright.’ He’s very mature, very laid-back. He’s not the type to get mad or funny about things.”
Reflecting on her past, Perrie admitted she’s learned to handle challenges differently, and that Alex’s steady nature has helped her grow.
A Funny and Heartfelt Confession
Perrie also shared a charming story about the first time she told Alex she loved him.
Appearing on the Capital Evening show with Jimmy Hill, she described panicking over the moment during a night out with her Little Mix bandmates.
In an amusing twist, she had brought a frying pan as a playful gift because Alex liked pancakes.
“I couldn’t find the words, I was panicking, my heartbeat was in my head,” she recalled.
“So I just blurted out, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you,’ so aggressively. And he said he loved me too.”
Moving Forward with Gratitude
Through these reflections, Perrie has shown how she’s grown from her past experiences and found a loving, healthy relationship with Alex.
The candid discussion on We Need To Talk gives fans a window into her journey of self-discovery, healing, and joy in love.
