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One year after auditioning as individuals for Fox’s reality competition The X Factor, girl group Fifth Harmony is poised to become Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing.
After five successful seasons, N.B.T. relaunches as a year-round showcase to introduce industry newcomers who are on the cusp of stardom. The revamped program will chronicle each artist’s journey from being discovered to becoming music’s “next big thing.” Fifth Harmony — composed of Ally Brooke, Normani Hamilton, Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello and Dinah Jane Hansen — will kick off the new platform as the first featured artist and will be spotlighted during the world premiere of the Disney Channel original movie Teen Beach Movie on Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m.
After finishing in third place on The X Factor‘s second season in December, Fifth Harmony was promptly signed to Epic Records and Syco Entertainment. They are currently in the studio working on their debut album, on track for a fall release.
PHOTOS: ‘The X Factor’ Finale in Pictures: A Country King, a Teen Diva and a Girl Group
“Radio Disney is proud to be recognized as a first home for many of today’s popular young artists, including Selena Gomez, Cher Lloyd, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Austin Mahone,” said Phil Guerini, vp programming and general manager at Radio Disney. “This exciting evolution of N.B.T. elevates our commitment to being the first to introduce our audience to tomorrow’s next big music stars. And we are honored to be joining forces with the industry legend L.A. Reid, Epic Records and Syco Entertainment to introduce Fifth Harmony as the initial act to launch our new format.”
Said Reid, chairman of Epic Records: “It gives me great pleasure to partner with Radio Disney to launch America’s Next Big Thing, Fifth Harmony.”
In its first five seasons, N.B.T. put the spotlight on more than 30 undiscovered and unsigned young recording artists, providing them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcasts and online platforms as part of a musical talent competition. The program launched the careers of Allstar Weekend, Coco Jones and Kicking Daisies, among, others since its inception in 2009.
Fifth Harmony, meanwhile, have already released their debut single, “Miss Movin’ On,” and will unveil their next effort, “Me & My Girls,” as a Radio Disney exclusive on July 16.
The new multiplatform endeavor will give fans behind-the-scenes access, including video from inside the recording studio to video shoots and concert tours across the country. Viewers can tune in on Disney Channel, Radio Disney, RadioDisney.com, Disney.com and on social media, as well as live Radio Disney events in local markets.
Fifth Harmony is on track for big exposure this summer, with a scheduled appearance on NBC’s Today later this month and a nationwide mall tour currently in the works.
Email: Sophie.Schillaci@THR.com
Twitter: @SophieSchillaci
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