LITTLE MIX hits the big time

February 23, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

What the Spice Girls wanted, really, really wanted exactly 20 years ago was to become the biggest girl band in the world. The U.K. group did that and more, not only proving it wasn’t a “Wannabe” act but also empowering a generation of female fans to reach for their dreams.

That included the likes of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. While individually auditioning for the eighth season of the U.K.’s “The X Factor,” the girls were encouraged to join forces and become Little Mix. That season they actually won the reality-show competition.

Not long after, the new outfit released its debut effort “DNA,” which fittingly broke a Billboard chart position record previously held by – you guessed it – the Spice Girls.

“For us, the Spice Girls were a phenomenon,” said Thirlwall, calling from Phoenix, Ariz. “We absolutely idolized them growing up. Everyone loved their British charm. They were all very individual in what they stood for.

“That’s something we try to include in our music. We love their harmonies and melodies, but I think it is quite hard for a girl band in the world. They have to have everything go right.”

It turns out Little Mix, for the most part, has had everything go right. Over the last five years, the group has scored numerous global hit songs – “Move,” “Black Magic,” “Wings,” “Love Me Like You,” “Secret Love Song” and “Hair.” The girls’ success led to major tours of the U.K., Australia, Japan and America. The latter included an opening slot for Demi Lovato.

However, mainstream stateside success has so far eluded Little Mix. The hope among the band members is their latest album “Glory Days,” which includes the bubbly lead single, “Shout Out to My Ex,” the vocal heavy “FU,” the ballad “Nobody Like You” and the club-ready “Touch,” will allow them to finally enjoy Spice Girls-like success.

“America is such a big place, especially when you’re coming from the U.K.,” said Edwards, also calling from Phoenix. “You have to put a lot of time into America, which we really hadn’t done over the years. That’s why we’re totally excited to be on tour for more than two months. We’re just trying our best to impress as many people as we can.”

Fans can check out Little Mix as they support Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman Tour,” which comes through Northeast Ohio for a Sunday show at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Even though Little Mix has its work cut out, the singers are optimistic they’re on the right path to make their dream come true. And while haters are going to, well, hate, that doesn’t mean Little Mix has to listen.

“Going back five years, we were so young, naive and innocent,” Thirlwall said. “It was a big shock having people criticize you all of the time. It was hard, but now it doesn’t affect us anymore.

“We’re just focused on being successful, working hard and doing what we can to be the biggest girl band in the world.”