Imagine auditioning for a televised singing competition in front of a panel of judges consisting of Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, and Demi Lovato. No big deal, right? Imagine getting a second chance in the competition and forming a group that would eventually win third place. This is just the short version of the story of Fifth Harmony.
Camila Cabello, Dinah Jane Hansen, Ally Brooke, Normani Hamilton, and Lauren Jauregui were strangers heading into the second season of The X-Factor, formed together by fate and the instincts of Simon Cowell. Last year, the group released their first single “Miss Movin’ On” and their debut EP Better Together, and will be releasing their full-length debut this year. Fifth Harmony are one of the opening acts for Demi Lovato’s Neon Lights Tour, which kicked off at Rogers Arena in Vancouver this past Sunday.
We spoke with Camila Cabello and Dinah Jane Hansen on the phone ahead of the first show of the Neon Lights Tour and talked about the fans, touring with Demi Lovato, collaborating with Boyce Avenue, and how it feels to be role models.
asapmusicblog.ca: The first performance that you girls did on the X-Factor was a cover of Shontelle’s “Impossible”, and you were all sort of just thrown into being in a group. How has the chemistry between you developed since that first performance?
Camila Cabello: I think since that first performance, we had the whole competition of X-Factor and there were so many obstacles that came with that and it was such an emotional rollercoaster. Especially because none of the five of us really had experienced that before and had experienced that kind of pressure before, so we were all kind of each other’s shoulders to cry on. We saw each other at our most vulnerable moments and it was definitely a bond that strengthened from that, I think.
A: Last year, you guys did an amazing cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors” with Boyce Avenue, who were your vocal coaches on the X-Factor.
CC: Thank you!
A: What was it like collaborating with them for that cover?
CC: They actually helped us put together our performance of “Impossible” for the judges’ home, and I remember the first time I met them, I was kind of internally freaking out because I had known their YouTube covers before – I was such a huge fan of them. We were so honoured to be able to work with them because they’re so talented and they’re like our brothers, they’re so cool!
A: On that note of being fans of other artists, how does it feel to be in the reverse role of being somebody else’s role model?
CC: I think that’s the coolest thing ever because we all look up to… I look up to Demi Lovato like that and Dinah looks up to Beyonce like that. We’re so honoured to be that for somebody else. We don’t completely understand it, but we’re so grateful for that – it’s the best feeling in the world.
A: Speaking of Demi Lovato, you guys are joining her on the Neon Lights Tour along with Little Mix and Cher Lloyd, which is starting here in Vancouver this Sunday. What are you most looking forward to for this tour?
Dinah Jane Hansen: We’re super excited to just go out there and kill it, especially the arenas, and because we’ve never done a show with all girls. We’re excited also to kick it with all these other girls –we’re excited to make new friends!
A: What was the first song in your recollection that inspired you to pursue music?
CC: For me, the record that inspired me to pursue music was in all honesty, when I was really young, maybe the Hannah Montana record. I was obsessed with all that Disney and High School Musical kind of stuff, so probably that!
DJH: For me I would say, when I was ten I watched the Cheetah Girls movie and the songs in there inspired me.
A: Your fans, otherwise known as Harmonizers, are very dedicated. How important is it to keep that connection with them, whether in-person or on social media?
CC: I think it’s important to constantly thank them, because we wouldn’t be here without them and none of the five of us would be able to do what we love to do. They’re the reason we’re living out our dreams right now so we are genuinely so thankful for that, and we want to make sure that they know that – that’s important.
A: Fifth Harmony co-wrote a few of the songs off the Better Together EP (Don’t Wanna Dance Alone, Who Are You, and Me & My Girls) – in a previous interview, Camila brought up that the group’s songs are representative of all five of you. If you could narrow down a single message that you would want your music to convey, what would that be?
CC: I think the message that we would want that to convey would probably be… I think it’s really important for us to be genuine, and to only sing songs that are true to ourselves, and what we go through as teenage girls in life. I think just being genuine and being true to yourself and being able to share who you are with people, it’s such an important thing. Especially with songs like “Who Are You” that are a bit more vulnerable and “Me & My Girls” that show off your goofy side – I think it’s important to show who you are.
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Check out Camila & Dinah’s playlist picks here. For more information on Fifth Harmony and tour dates, head over to: http://fifthharmonyofficial.com.
