Perrie Edwards: Dating in the music industry is hard

Perrie Edwards finds it "harder" dating someone in the music industry.

The 23-year-old singer was previously engaged to former One Direction musician Zayn Malik for two years before their split in 2015, and believes dating a fellow singer meant the pair had a "better understanding" of each other, but found it difficult to "make time" in between their hectic schedules.

She said: "I think there’s a better understanding if they’re in the same industry. I feel like they get it a bit more. But it’s harder for you both because you have to make time."

Fellow ‘Shout Out to My Ex’ hitmaker Jade Thirlwall – who is in a relationship with The Struts’ Jed Elliott – agreed, saying despite starting their relationship in January, their clashing schedules mean their romance still feels new.

Jade, also 23, added: "I won’t see Jed until Christmas. It means I still feel like I’m on first dates and get nervous around him."

But Perrie – who is joined in Little Mix by Jade, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson – also claimed whilst she hated the lack of time she got to spend with the ‘Pillowtalk’ hitmaker, she believes "absence makes the heart grow fonder".

She said: "When you’re together all the time, it does get samey. But – especially when you’re travelling constantly – absence makes the heart grow fonder. You then get excited every time you get on the plane knowing you are gonna see them."

The ‘Salute’ singer – who has enjoyed a brief relationship with actor Luke Pasqualino since her split from the ‘It’s You’ musician – says the most important thing about a relationship is "balance" between her career and her love life.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper’s Fabulous magazine, Perrie said: "You have to find a balance. You need to find someone who won’t make you choose. You should never be with someone who is like, ‘It’s your career or me!’, because they aren’t good enough, obviously."