Five young women auditioned on The X Factor USA as solo acts and were brought together into a group by judge Simon Cowell. The lineup—Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke Hernandez, Normani Kordei, Camila Cabello, and Dinah Jane Hansen—went on to finish in third place and earned deals with Epic Records and Syco Music. They began work on their debut EP, Better Together, and soon shared their music with fans around the world. For Fifth Harmony, this moment marked the start of a much bigger journey. [Source: The Magazine interview, Toronto]
In Toronto, The Magazine sat down with Normani, Camila, and Dinah to discuss the debut EP, the meaning of girl power, relationships, and what lies ahead for the group.
Talking about the release of their first EP, the trio described the moment as exhilarating, noting that much of the material was written by the members themselves, so the music reflected their own voices. The conversation highlighted how the songs connect with listeners and how the group aims to stay true to their roots as artists.
Normani described the experience as amazing, emphasizing that they wrote a large portion of the tracks so the project carried their personal perspective. The group celebrated the milestone of reaching number two on iTunes, a feat achieved alongside major artists like Katy Perry and Lorde, underscoring the momentum they were building with their own material.
Camila named Me & My Girls as her favorite track, praising the energy of the bass drop and the idea of enjoying time with friends rather than chasing a party scene. It was clear that the song resonated with the sense of sisterhood the group wanted to convey to listeners.
Dinah described Who Are You as a heartfelt song that captures the back-and-forth rhythm of a relationship, with moments of tension giving way to tender reconciliation and genuine emotion in the performance.
Since releasing three singles off Better Together — Miss Movin’ On, Me & My Girls, and the title track Better Together — the group discussed what makes a great single: something that fans immediately feel connected to, a moment when the crowd spontaneously responds with enthusiasm and unity.
Normani explained that a truly great single is one that makes listeners collectively shout in agreement when the chorus hits, creating a shared sense of excitement that extends beyond the first listen. It’s a feeling that the best moments in pop music often ignite together with the audience.
Dinah added that a strong song is felt emotionally. She recalled how Miss Movin’ On clicked the moment the producer heard the demo, confirming their belief in the track and its potential to connect with a wide audience.
The five singers were grouped together by Simon Cowell after auditioning solo for The X Factor USA, and the path to becoming a cohesive unit was described as a journey. There was chemistry from the start, but building a genuine sisterhood required time, trust, and collaborative effort as they learned to work together.
Camila noted that chemistry existed early on, but the close bond and collaboration grew with time. They were strangers at first, and forming a true, supportive relationship took dedication and mutual respect as they defined their shared goals.
On stage, the group had the opportunity to perform with some of the biggest names in the industry, and they admitted to fangirling over Demi Lovato in particular, a moment that underscored how far they had come from their beginnings on the show. The thrill of meeting iconic artists helped shape their aspirations and drive.
Camila admitted that Demi Lovato was the artist she most admired, describing the moment as overwhelming and memorable. Dinah joked that the experience felt akin to Camp Rock, a playful nod to the memorable moment they shared on tour.
When asked about celebrity crushes, Normani named Channing Tatum for his performance in The Vow, while Camila joked that her crush on Ryan Gosling extended to a dreamlike resonance with Noah from The Notebook. Dinah mentioned Paul Wesley from The Vampire Diaries as another crush, reflecting how pop culture influences their pop sensibilities.
Fifth Harmony is widely viewed as a symbol of girl power. The group named Beyoncé as the ultimate girl power artist, acknowledging her influence and impact and quoting the famous call to empowerment that resonates with fans. Demi Lovato also emerged as a powerful influence in their discussion of female-led music and touring.
Normani reiterated Beyoncé as the embodiment of girl power, celebrating the line that asks, Who run the world?! The others nodded in agreement, recognizing the broader movement they are part of and the example set by such a performer. Camila echoed the sentiment with Demi Lovato as another equally strong voice in their generation of artists.
If given the chance to spend a day with One Direction or Beyoncé, the group would gravitate toward Beyoncé, imagining everything from casual moments to a collaborative jam session. Normani even imagined babysitting Blue, Beyoncé’s daughter, as a lighthearted scenario for a day with the superstar. Camila suggested a jam session with One Direction would be equally fun, envisioning guitars and spontaneous musical chemistry.
Dinah noted a fashion-forward observer’s eye would be turned toward Beyoncé, admiring her style and fashion sense. The Neon Lights Tour, which also featured Demi Lovato, Little Mix, and Cher Lloyd, began in February and was described as a thrilling, all-female show that amplified their message of empowerment and performance prowess. Dinah expressed genuine excitement about the tour, calling it a dream for a true girl-power experience, while Camila looked forward to moments of rest when Demi would be around but the five of them could also maintain their own separate friendships. Normani added that the presence of Demi alongside the five members would still keep the dynamic strong, and she anticipated collaborations that might emerge as a result of their shared history. The interview concluded with gratitude for the opportunity and a sense of anticipation for what would come next, with the group acknowledging the continued possibility of collaborating with Demi Lovato in the future. [Source: The Magazine interview, Toronto]