Is Fifth Harmony bound for a breakup?
While that might seem like a dramatic question, given the girl group's tumultuous year we felt the need to ask. It seems like each member has had to deal with her own set of drama, ranging from anxiety issues to freak outs on the red carpet. But it was an interview with Billboard that really shined a light on the problems plaguing Fifth Harmony.
Even though most of the girls didn't outright reveal where their unhappiness stems from, Jauregui attributed it to "the industry."
"They sell you this present of rainbows and butterflies, and as a 16-year-old that's what I bought. It's why I did X Factor and why I ended up in a group. But then you're working so hard, so young," she told Billboard.
"[Meanwhile] my friends are in college, telling me about their days and what they're studying. You're having to put on a smile on a red carpet. It's like, 'Who am I? Am I for myself or for this?'"
Fellow group member Dinah-Jane Hansen went on to explain just how badly their grueling schedule has affected her. "I love touring, but the schedule traumatized me," Hansen admitted. "I was like, 'What kind of job are we doing?' I watched my great-grandmother be buried on FaceTime. We're all so family-oriented, and we've all lost people on the road."
It was quotes like that that made fans realize that something wasn't right, and since then it seems like the group has gone through even more tumultuous events. Lauren Jauregui caused a bit of a stir in February when she asked Hansen to switch spots on the red carpet.
When Hansen denied her request, Jauregui flipped out and started to tear up on the carpet. She turned to Tumblr to defend herself when the Internet criticized her.
"F--k all of you, I felt insecure...and it stressed me out because I was stressing out...y'all don't know what it's like to not feel your best and have pictures taken that you don't feel good in splattered everywhere for people like you to make fun of me anyway," she posted on the social media site. "Still a person!"
Normani Kordei and Camila Cabello also had to clear the air on an alleged feud going on between them after Kordei seemed to shade her fellow group member in a Facebook Live chat. She compared Ally Brooke to "sunshine," dubbed Hansen the "turn up queen" and said Jauregui was like a "therapist."
As for Camila Cabello? "She is...let's see. Camila. Very quirky. Yeah," Kordei said. "Very quirky. Cute."
It didn't take long for the girl group's haters to turn on Kordei, accusing her of shading Cabello by intentionally taking too long to say anything nice or substantial about the 19-year-old singer.
After the mean tweets continued to roll in, Kordei directly addressed the drama head on. "I would like to address an issue that has been completely blown out of proportion," the 20-year-old "All in My Head" singer wrote on Twitter.
"It is a shame that after four years together as a group I have to address foolishness manufactured by those that have absolutely no idea what goes on. I have shown nothing but commitment for the success of Fifth Harmony even promoting on my days off but yet I always find myself as the target of unjust hate and slander. It's just not right...I have love and respect for all four of my bandmates whether you choose to believe it or not."
Only days later, Kordei deleted her Twitter account amid racist cyberbullying.
And over the past few weeks, both Cabello and Jauregui have had breakdowns onstage. Cabello left in the middle of one of the group's concerts in St. Louis, only to return to the stage two days later in Dallas and reveal to fans she had to deal with an overwhelming bout of anxiety. Jauregui, on the other hand, broke down in tears during a different concert and later thanked fans for the support. The reason for her breakdown, she explained, was that their lyrics made her "extra emotional."
The girl group recently wrapped the North American leg of its tour, and expressed their gratitude to fans on social media. Maybe there isn't anything wrong, after all.
"Thank you to every single person who made this tour happen. From lighting to wardrobe, sound to stage, I thank you all with the most gratitude from my heart," Brooke wrote on her Instagram with a giant group pic. "@willbtouring your outstanding hard work is so appreciated and we all love you so much! We have an amazing team!!"
She added, "And the best fans EVER who made this tour so special! Next stop – Mexico & Europe! #727Tour God bless."
Do you think Fifth Harmony is going to make it? Sound off in the comments.