One Direction have advised Little Mix to ''be themselves'' while breaking the US.

The 'Little Things' hitmakers are close to the 'Wings' group having both sprung from 'The X Factor' and members Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards being in a relationship, and the boys - also formed of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan - have passed on words of wisdom to the girls to help their success overseas.

Member Leigh-Anne Pinnock told US magazine Seventeen: ''I asked the boys from One Direction how to make it in America and they basically said, 'Be yourself and you can't go wrong'.

''People know when you're trying to be someone you're not. Just be true to who you are. So that's what we've been doing!''

The group were also lucky enough to be given tips from former Spice Girls singer Emma Bunton, who shared how important friendship is within the group when it comes to connecting with their new fan base.

Jade Thirlwall added: ''When we met the Spice Girls, Emma Bunton told us to keep being friends because that's the connection fans love you for.''

Little Mix are set to release their debut album 'DNA' in the US on May 28 but have already gained the attention of American rapper Missy Elliot, who features on their latest single 'How Ya Doin'?', and the group were thrilled when she agreed to collaborate with them.

Member Jesy Nelson previously said: ''We honestly can't believe that Missy is on our song! She's been one of our biggest idols for ever - it's incredible.

''As soon as we thought there might be a chance she'd appear on the track we did literally everything we could to make sure it happened.''