Dating is not easy for anyone, especially when you are just starting out in the same industry as your ex who happens to be a Grammy-winning singer.
Singer Nina Nesbitt has been battling the ‘disheartening’ label of ‘Ed Sheeran’s ex-girlfriend’ the entire time she has been in the spotlight.
The pair dated in 2012, with the Shape of You hitmaker writing songs Nina and Photograph about the romance.
In turn, Nina, 30, penned her debut album Peroxide about Ed but in the decade since has found she has struggled to free herself from his shadow.
While speaking on The Eras Podcast, the Stay Out singer agreed that this ‘only happens to women’, where their relationships and careers become intrinsically linked.
‘You literally see it with Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift… people who are massive,’ Nina said.
A chance encounter with Ed, 33, at a radio gig, the musicians had a brief romance towards the start of Nina’s career.
She supported him on tour and even starred in his music video for the single Drunk before their split months later.
The Apple Tree singer joked there should be a ‘disclaimer on songwriters’, referencing the unavoidable connection to the track Nina.
‘I think it’s just got to come out,’ she shared. ‘But I think it is what it is. I’ve definitely written songs about other people, so…’
Nina continued: ‘It was tricky. Obviously, he gave me amazing opportunities of touring with him and everything, and I’m really super grateful for that. But on the other hand, I was like, “Oh”… I think I’ve had to fight that for so long.
‘Articles about my albums [mentioning Ed], and being described as someone’s ex is just so disheartening after all the work and years that I’ve put into it.’
After their break up, Nina was seen as one to watch in the charts and was vying for the top album spot with Peroxide at a mid-week number one.
However, the Brits swept away those chances as big names like Arctic Monkeys and Bastille took a lot of the evening’s attention and Peroxide debuted at number 11.
She called it ‘frustrating’ as much of the conversation around her music has referenced Ed, despite the fact the pair have not been together for a decade.
When his track Nina came out in 2015, the A Team hitmaker did reach out and told her it ‘was happening’ but the Selfies singer did not know it would end up on the album.
At the time, she told the Daily Record she was ‘not really bothered’ and liked the song, adding ‘It was a long time ago and we’ve both moved on’.
The Scottish singer has released two albums since, with a third — titled Mountain Music — due to drop this month.
Nina has also launched her own independent label, Apple Tree Records, telling the Eras Podcast this has given her ‘more opportunity to explore’.
While the uphill battle to be recognised in her own right is never-ending, Nina added: ‘It drives me to keep going and just be known as a musician.’