Camila Cabello is opening up about her transformative years as part of Fifth Harmony, the girl group that propelled her to stardom. In a candid cover story interview with Nylon, the “I Luv It” singer shared her reflections on her time with the group and the lessons she’s carried forward since her 2016 departure.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
Cabello joined Fifth Harmony at just 15 years old during the second season of The X Factor, where the group was formed under the mentorship of Simon Cowell. Over the years, they became one of the most successful girl groups of the decade, releasing hits like “Worth It” and “Work From Home.”
Looking back, Cabello acknowledged the unique pressures she faced as a teenager in the spotlight. “It’s hard to say what’s normal, whether you’re famous or not,” the now-27-year-old reflected. “It was more than a person should bear [in that situation].”
She also emphasized the importance of conflict resolution in a group setting, something she believes many young people struggle with. “How do you deal with being left out? How do you deal with jealousy? How do you deal with these things without hurting yourself or other people?” she mused, admitting that these were skills she didn’t yet have at 16.
Leaving Fifth Harmony
On December 19, 2016, Fifth Harmony announced Cabello’s exit via a statement shared on social media. The remaining members—Normani, Dinah Jane, Ally Brooke, and Lauren Jauregui—vowed to continue as a quartet, releasing a self-titled album in 2017.
Cabello responded with her own heartfelt message, saying, “As sad as it is to see this chapter ending this way, I will continue to root them all on as individuals and as a group. I wish them all the success in the world and true happiness.”
Post-Harmony Success
Since striking out on her own, Cabello has flourished as a solo artist, releasing four albums:
Camila (2018), featuring hits like “Havana.”
Romance (2019), with the chart-topping duet “Señorita.”
Familia (2022), which leaned into her Cuban heritage.
C,XOXO (2024), a tribute to her Miami hometown.
Her success, however, hasn’t diminished her respect for her former group. Recently, she reconnected with Normani at Paris Fashion Week. “The past couple of times I’ve seen her, I say something and she laughs really hard,” Cabello said. “It doesn’t feel like we’re strangers. We’re getting back to the times when we were really close.”
A Legacy of Growth
Though Fifth Harmony officially went on hiatus in 2018, Cabello continues to look back on her time in the group with grace. While acknowledging the challenges of navigating fame as a teenager, she credits the experience with helping her grow both personally and professionally.
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