chronically online gay explains Fifth Harmony breakup lore

here we are, in the midst of the fifth harmony renaissance today I bring you a comprehensive history of why fifth harmony broke up. Camila Cabello, Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane, Ally Brooke, and Normani were forced together on the X factor and manufactured into the messiest girl group of all time. and yet, they still managed to slay....VERY often in fact!! This video was outlined before the all in my head (flex) resurgence happened but it couldn't be better timing...y'all need to get into these girls and put some respect on their name !!!
this video was hugely inspired by ‪@NicoleRafiee‬ 's chronically online girl series, check out her latest one here: • chronically online gir...
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO KING ILIAS of EOAS discord fame for helping me outline this video!!!
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[@theswiftologist]

HOW TO FIX THE AUDIO FOR HEADPHONE USERS: Go into settings-accessibility-audio/visual-switch mono audio on I know u can't hear it in your left ear. thanks. no need to leave anymore comments about it 💋

[@ForestedPopHead]

I literally started pulling and pushing my headphones lmaooo 💀😭 . Thanks for the notice King

[@matthewreyes9640]

I can hear it just fine people might just need to get their ears checked idk 💋💋

[@hana-772]

I though my headphone had broke lol I was panicking

[@tomzitiger]

Ok good to know, but can you up the volume on your audio just in general?

[@bellaaaaaaaaah]

if you turn on mono audio in settings it will play in both ears!

[@ElysianEdits1]

My right ear is eating this UP.

[@ada_janset]

hahahahah

[@Fiumefenice93]

Lmfaoooo yes😂

[@KelleyRaeofSunshine]

My left ear is too! 😂

[@annamobrashear]

My right ear is infected so I guess I’m gonna listen to this out loud 😅

[@longlivelinzi]

Hahaha I thought it was an issue with my earphones at first!

[@lucasorlando99]

Another point I think is really important to add about why Camila left the group was because of the smash hit 2016 song of the summer Closer with the Chainsmokers. Camila was the first option to be on the song but was forced to reject it because she couldn’t promote it because she was on tour with fifth harmony. Then Halsey hopped on the song it was a #1 hit going Diamond. Camila has been open about how that stung for her and she definitely took the first out she could get to be a solo artist.

[@aaliyahfoster2705]

Dodged a bullet tbh because that song is my villain origin story back in 2016. 😭

[@junainahrahman4156]

I'm glad Halsey got it. No hate but Camila's voice would not suit that song imo

[@chaecifer]

@@junainahrahman4156tbf the demo with camila did sound good but halsey suited it more

[@theeKPOPlover]

I loved that Halsey took it, it really suited her voice!

[@hookah998]

@@junainahrahman4156what you mean? That song radiates high pitch girly pop sound. If anything Camila is the definition of that sound😂

[@sara-ic3jl]

my favorite horror bedtime story is fifth harmony's career

[@theswiftologist]

lkdsfnlsjdlfnds

[@tajsimms8976]

Same I love these on KZbin lol

[@ZTallGurl]

💀💀💀

[@Ladylovesblues]

“These days, the 10 year olds are listening to WAP and buying Drunk Elephant. But back in the day, it was turn up ‘Miss Movin’ On’ and go to Target and get an EOS lip balm.” FACTS🤣☠️

[@AllTheArtsy]

who the hell is still buying Drunk Elephant?

[@PotatoWaffle-sl4xf]

@@AllTheArtsy. 10 year olds

[@gumsguey]

Lest we forget Taylor also invited Camila to open for her on the Reputation Tour.

[@muggleintheupsidedown]

Yess, I was in arms reach of Camilla in Dallas at that tour!

[@sarahv.990]

Fun fact: I won a radio contest to meet them straight after the release of their first album, and the tension was already CRAZY. None of these girls wanted to be there and meet the fans except Camila who made sure every single person in the meet and greet felt special. A lot of our pictures were next to Camila because she legit was the only one who took interest in the fans. Then those pictures hit twitter and everyone was like “ThE FaNs IgNorEd ThE oThEr GiRLs TheY oNLy CaRe AbOuT CaMilA!!!" like we were all criminals 😅 when in fact the four girls didn’t talk to anyone and had rbf the whole time with tweens who had dedicated time and effort to meet them. Camila understood that even at her early age and became my favorite ever since that day. Now I don’t follow her career that much but I’ll always be grateful that she literally made this experience great for me.

[@theswiftologist]

this is really interesting boots on the ground reporting !! thanks for sharing

[@chikahoshi]

I never knew about this; this is really cool to know! :)

[@PopQuality]

Camila queen!

[@nikkofiedacan5344]

The legit harmonizers always knew this! I love all the girls. Im a massive harmonizer from the very start. But Camila was the ONLY girl among them who always did extra miles to reach her fans and make them feel special and appreciated! Thats the very reason why I gravitated more towards her!

[@aaliyahfoster2705]

Ooof, I'm disappointed to hear this about the girls this way, especially Normani who I've always admired. Excited for her to finally release the album, but girl....

[@SofiaSmileey]

I never really was into Fifth Harmony but as a Directioner I remember wanting to give fans some comfort after Camila left and went on the tag. Only half of the tweets were people celebrating her leaving to go solo and the other half celebrating that the group was free of her. I was so confused

[@Poufkimashoula1]

😂 I remember that.

[@Poufkimashoula1]

Her leaving was beneficial for both parties, honestly. Even though the group lost label support after their "star" left, they took the opportunity to re-evaluate themselves and think about what they wanted as a group.

[@flaviol]

Only who were part of the fandom knew how her solo fans treated us and the other girls. She were already popular back then and their fans used to proudly call themselves "mamba gang" while doing and saying horrible things about the other girls. I love how them and she still play the victim about that. Everything while she was silent for years about the racism Normani suffered from her fans and also from herself.

[@erinmeagher7339]

​@@flaviolthey way her solo stans talked abt normani was fucking evil

[@jasonmadx]

Directioner too, for us Zayn going away was DEEPLY SAD. And they are like "That's great!". I'm also a Mixer, Jesy going out was so much hurt (until the situation with Nicki).

[@bertahites499]

"who on this wall is constantly seen at the scene of the crime when it really has nothing to do with them at all? demetria." king, i was gagged. so accurate.

[@yairethcastro71596]

“It’s show business not show friendship” gave me the same vibes as Jade from America’s Next Top Model saying “this is a competition, this is not America’s Next Top Best Friend” 😂😂😂

[@theswiftologist]

That’s exactly what I was referencing 🤝 you get it!

[@whisperedwish348]

@yairethcastro7112 Yes! Love ANTM! Also if either of you are RuPaul's Drag Race Fans, there's a quote from that where a queen says "This is not RuPaul's Best Friend Race!" 😂

[@mix245ify]

Esto es una competencia, no es la siguiente super amiga americana

[@charmainechan2801]

1. you forget to include how ally wanted to release solo music first but the management said no to her and let camila to release hers. cant remember which interview she said that 2. dinah is the youngest not cam 3. syco wanted to add a new member for their 5h album but they said no its doesn't make sense and straight out mean - that vma performance

[@tajsimms8976]

Would anyone had listen to Ally’s solo music tho?

[@regannem]

yes!

[@Narutofanfreak45]

@@tajsimms8976yes and do

[@geegeegeeohbaby123]

@@tajsimms8976yes, actually. her song “low key” feat. Tyga is a banger.

[@corhydron111]

What's crazy about this arrangement is that even the infamous cesspit known as the film industry has figured out not to put random people in an ensemble cast together! You routinely do something called a chemistry check, you rehearse or audition together. Who the fuck thought just winging the casting would end in anything but a train wreck???

[@recklessmermaid]

Well it started on reality tv so I don’t think anyone cared if they were successful or not. The drama was a feature not a bug

[@faeriegraver]

I agree. I'd weird it worked as well as it did with One Direction, and Little Mix, for as long as it did. Before losing Zayn, and Jesy respectively both groups had a period of time where both groups seemed like a cohesive team. Little Mix were the first group to win the X Factor over here in the UK, and from the beginning it seemed like they were happy to be working together, there didn't seem to be drama and competition, they performed well together, singing tight harmonies and there wasn't a member who overshadowed the rest. I can see how it would be easy for fans to believe they were legitimate friends, and not colleagues first. They also lasted for years before Jesy left and things got *really* messy after that. But with 5H things were really messy from the beginning. There doesn't appear to be the same level of management of their image, they didn't seem to have enough practice together before starting to perform, and they didn't end up looking like a team, just five individuals who sometimes didn't look like they knew what they were supposed to do. There didn't seem to be much of an effort to even conceal the toxicity, or do any damage control over the contract they'd signed when those clips ended up all over the internet. It was a huge mess. The chemistry check, rehearsals, and audition together were nonexistent. If more effort was put in by their management and their company it might not have fallen apart as quickly as it did. Because they were really successful on the charts. Just nothing was working.

[@surmaster4618]

I honestly think it’s more of an American thing for people to be more competitive among their peers versus other countries like the UK. That’s why the UK groups: One Direction + Little Mix survived as long as they could versus Fifth Harmony who just seemed disharmonized from the beginning.

[@MineralTown]

@24kgoldplatedvermeilare you sure they werent chemistry tested? idk about girl's aloud but nsync were formed behind the scenes not on national television

[@shargreen9950]

@24kgoldplatedvermeilgirl i’m not an nsync stan by any means but that is a damn lie 😭

[@erinvawter3212]

Chronically online gay coverage should just be homed as an entire segment on your channel. LOVE

[@MM-dw4ew]

The “I’d do that thing too” comment while pointing to Shawn Mendes was hilarious

[@maryalicefike4704]

as a nicole AND swiftologist stan- this was the best video that could’ve graced my timeline

[@briella8023]

OMG sameee!!!! 😌🙌

[@sarahbautista7893]

SAME.

[@theladyprincess]

as someone who was a co-admin of a 5H updates account from 2014-2015 i remember every bit of this in real time. i became a harmonizer during their x factor days, i’m the same age as dinah & camilla and i thought it was cool seeing girls my age sing and stuff like that and god seeing all these unfold with my eyes was crazy now that i’m looking back at it.

[@hoennfanboy]

Thank you for your service 🫡 - a former 5h stan account

[@viv7761]

were you 5HonTour

[@SnapeArgento]

ally probably hates her bc in those dms that were leaked, camila called ally annoying and said she wanted to kick her every time she spoke

[@theswiftologist]

LASJNJSDNFJL AND SHE WAS RIGHT FOR THAT

[@cliffinkaemurd1320]

She is annoying. She kinda saw the group as a financial livelihood for the rest of her life. She fought so hard trying to stop the group from going to a hiatus but failed.

[@Ciaroes]

@@cliffinkaemurd1320that’s not annoying. Not being financially stable is a valid fear and lots of artist’s career IS their financial livelihood.

[@SandraJeanMcneil]

@@cliffinkaemurd1320okay wtf is wrong with that?

[@canesugar911]

​@@cliffinkaemurd1320how is that a bad thing?

[@aljade9545]

The vine clip of normani dancing lives in my head RENT FREE. what a stark transformation she went through truly

[@summerchild_]

Nicole mentioning Zach, Zach doing a chronically online girl presentation. Full circle moment

[@theswiftologist]

omg she mentioned me ?! in which video!

[@summerchild_]

@@theswiftologist you are asking too much of my peanut brain but it's out there

[@henrywayne5724]

I still can't believe Normani is dropping an album like what 💀💀

[@theswiftologist]

thank god

[@Chief]

ive waited 72 years

[@abigailalma]

never listened to fifth harmony in my life but you best believe i watched this whole thing and ate it up

[@dramaminedream22]

You’re missing out. Fifth Harmony made some pretty good albums. Sledgehammer and Not That Kinda Girl are a couple of my favorite songs.

[@prismen5535]

not that kind of girl is sooo slept on, also going nowhere@@dramaminedream22

[@meganlockie2033]

Loved this so much - please make one for Little Mix!!

[@theswiftologist]

Working on it!

[@sarahv.990]

I’ve been a fan of little mix ever since they were on X Factor in 2011 and tbh I was 100% blindsided by Jesy’s departure. I knew she struggled with body image and online trolls but I legit thought they were total besties. 😅 I think I video on them would enlighten me a lot

[@prismen5535]

omg thank god cause theres no real little mix breakdowns out there@@theswiftologist

[@reesea7988]

@@theswiftologistWHERE IS IT

[@Tarikkb]

I think there were multiple factors for Camila’s standout, I think she had a very marketable personality at the time, she was on tumblr , she was a hard core one direction fan, she appealed to the fans but also , to be very honest, her passion shined on stage, she never lacked once, if it was ballads, she was singing her heart out and the emotion carried, if it was upbeat ,she was having fun…she always very comfortable and confident on the stage in her own way, I never though she was trying outshine someone else,it just seemed natural , even now and in her Havana era , she’s the only one in the group who’s still making pop music , there’s this passion for music and performing that was really direct to the audience and I think that Carries someone no matter what style they’re singing , she even has countless acclaims for her writing and ear for music behind the scenes from producers like finneas, Calvin Harris and etc..

[@cliffinkaemurd1320]

Fr

[@ability5284]

100% agree

[@MineralTown]

i believe her looks were more appealing to their demo also

[@sammazza763]

I love how every KZbinr I watch is using this format now, Nicole is iconic for this

[@theswiftologist]

she's the moment

[@clara-zm9vp]

mike’s mic definitely started it and it has really taken a new life i just love it

[@Ruth-of1ji]

@@clara-zm9vpmike’s mic popularised it more but did not invent it!! Creators like Jenny Nicholson made this format work before him. Love Mike but let’s speak facts

[@sundalongpatpat]

this happens in america... imagine how it goes down in south korea

[@anushkakulkarni112]

I want someone to do this kind of video for snsd's breakdown...

[@kidawesomeness123]

Two words. Girls Generation.

[@Poufkimashoula1]

Tell us.

[@tajsimms8976]

The South Korean idol formula is based off the boy group formula of the 90s in America. So it started here but they took it way further lol

[@DelusionalShipper2.0]

i think with the fact that idols train together for a long time and the general not individualistic but more focus on the group "culture" in SK, there are less cases as messy as 5H. I can only think, in very different degrees and situations, of SNSD, AOA and maybe a bit Blackpink.

[@senseshchepin]

Zack is out here SIMULTANEOUSLY performing "messy-boots-on-the-ground" journalism for us AND serving in those green shorts!

[@freyakissane]

Thanks for the video on music industry war crimes, appreciate you taking suggestions from fan girls in your comments.

[@theswiftologist]

❤️❤️❤️

[@NeidaTeresa]

36:33 I have to hard disagree about not holding 15 year olds accountable for rac*sm. When I was 15 rac*st 15 year olds still hurt my feelings. Normani was only 16 when that happened as well so like, I think if she’s old enough to be hurt by rac*sm, Camila is old enough to be held accountable for it. That being said, with Normani having accepted the apology for the parts that were against her, I don’t have beef with Camila based on that. Her “private” tumblr posts however… yeah mama is gonna be on MY personal sh*t list eternally for that 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@theswiftologist]

I didn't say we shouldn't hold her accountable! Just that in my opinion when apologies are made and accepted then it is time to move on. If there's no apology/accountability then drag them until the end of time of course

[@suoutubez19]

@@theswiftologistbut it’s not your place as a white person to accept an apology for anti-black racism.

[@theswiftologist]

That's my opinion on the matter, I am not telling other people how they should feel

[@NeidaTeresa]

@@theswiftologist I never got notified about a reply to this so now I feel like MJ from The Traitors just 🧍🏽‍♀️😂

[@Isabella-vx3bc]

​@@suoutubez19 huh? He's saying that Normani accepted her apology so it's not his place to keep dragging on her behalf Not that he accepted the apology 😂

[@waiting48]

going through a breakup and coping by diving into 5h history and listening to evolution of a snake... your timing is impeccable thank you 💓💓

[@theswiftologist]

Hope you feel better soon doll ❤️❤️

[@meghansullivan6812]

Havin a rough night of my own and I agree w you 💓 hope u heal ❣️

[@recklessmermaid]

Newly single over here too… it sucks. So happy to have the internet for company and distraction😢

[@LaurenLaass]

Evolution of a Snake and this channel helped me with my breakup. You are on the right track. 🤍 I recommend the Broski Report as well.

[@amandaleighplans]

@@recklessmermaidtell me why I still make comments like this when my breakup was one year ago… HELPPP 😭 hope u feel better soon (gender neutral) girlies 🤝🏼

[@warriordoghotdog]

the clips of them i can't 😭😭i love how unhinged u can be while being honest and ur videos are so funny and informative and u have based opinions, not biased opinions

[@chikahoshi]

This is the Fifth Harmony history video that I have longed for in years. The only thing I wished we could have gotten more from what the solo endeavors from the other four members. The one thing that always stood out to me was out of the four, Ally was the one who kept pushing out the most in her career…her debut single had some support to make the music video look expensive; releasing her first memoir; voice acting in a cartoon show; her KZbin podcast; Spanish singles, etc…and yet, the public just wasn’t interested, and I think that caused her to get dropped by Atlantic. Meanwhile, Normani still got a lot of demand to release her album despite her being silent. In comparison, Dinah was also really silent, but no one was demanding an album from her. So some of these topics being explored could have been at least worth delving in a little more, especially around Normani and what her role in the music industry means for her fans.

[@theswiftologist]

I think I have another video in me on their solo endeavours!

[@chikahoshi]

@@theswiftologistIf you do make it, I’ll look forward to it. :)

[@Bruna-xq8ux]

I think the reason Camila stood out the most was mostly because even with their horrible contracts and busy schedule she always made sure the fans got the best experiences. She wasn't the best dancer, but she put all her energy into that uncoordinated moves, the other girls clearly resented her, but she didn't let that get in the way of her stage performance and interaction with fans. When i saw them live, that difference was even more proiminent. Normani was the only one who had a competing stage presence (she has the most beautiful smile by the way). The other girls just emaneted "i'm only here because i have a contract to fulfill" energy. That was probably the reason Normani and Camila were there too, but they did not let that show to the fans. Lauren barely even moved her limbs during choreo, she left the stage several times, barely cracked a smile (all understandable considering their situation), but it just made camila and normani shine even more. Ally and Dinah didn't really try to interact with fans... I'm brazilian by the way and Camila went all the way to actually learn how to speak a few sentences in portuguese. Anyways... she gave her all and made every performance feel special for the fans, and i think that's the main reason why she was the star of the group.

[@TC-42vvs]

I just don't get how Camila having around 40 million monthly listeners means her career isn't going well...she is top 100 in the word. 1:03 saying "bad things" is a flop when it went number 1 is also crazy. 38:18

[@Mles13]

I love this format and also love Nicole rafiee, you’d really good at this style of video

[@monnbg]

I looooved this format. I also really enjoy Nicole's chronically online girl vids so this was just great! It would be cool if you covered 1D's start and breakup lore in a format like this. Also looking forward to the Haylor one!

[@milaces1323]

This one and Uncarley's (the absolute queen) are the best explanation of what a clusterfuck Fifth Harmony actually was. Keep it up Zach! 😊

[@LaurenLaass]

I adore uncarley

[@saranoelle3927]

Can’t wait for the next one (Haylor), and I love this Nicole Raffi tribute.

[@kayleemerry6782]

nvm just finished the video and heard :))

[@heaveninhiding6970]

ALWAYS seated for a swiftologist video

[@stonehedge35]

The truth is that Camila clearly had the IT factor and that was most evident on stage. Camila stood out. I remember seeing interviews with Fifth Harmony and I recall feeling bad for Camila as she seemed to be bullied by the other girls. Leaving the group was the best decision she made, especially for someone like her who is obviously deeply invested in songwriting and being creative artistically. The fact that she fulfilled all her contractual obligations before departing the group shows she had integrity, pursuing her solo career afterwards makes sense given the circumstances. I'm glad she did because she gave us some great music as a solo artist that we would of never had otherwise.

[@Izzywildflowerr]

yasss taking inspo from nicole for the title

[@homidjohn]

Who's Nicole?

[@Izzywildflowerr]

@@homidjohn nicole rafiee, she has a series on her channel called a chronically online girl explains

[@homidjohn]

@@Izzywildflowerr oh I see, didn't understand the reference at first. Plus I was so confused to see Simon Cowell posted hanged on his wall earlier this week 😅

[@cottage-core_]

+

[@VEGAS-NERVE]

@@homidjohnwatching the video first might help

[@junjidiot]

Not me thinking this was a Nicole Rafiee collab. Same format and everything 😂😭

[@marcie1715]

That was my first thought

[@nay006]

same😭

[@glcmrock]

i love it when my fav youtuber takes inspiration from my other fav youtuber

[@clara-zm9vp]

you should also watch mike’s mic!! he kind of coined this style of video and if you need someone you can rewatch over and over again he is the one you want

[@glcmrock]

@@clara-zm9vp thanks!! i’ll check him out :)

[@gracehiler1428]

I know what you did last summer is a certified banger and I will not accept other opinions. But I very much appreciate this video.

[@tuxegirls]

love this format! Little mix next! They’re mostly drama free but everything with Jesy 😒

[@faeriegraver]

Yeah I'd love to see this

[@chronicstoicist]

need

[@tiggertheanimal]

Tbf, most of the drama involving LM has always been because of Mixers and the girls refusing to tell them off. When I was younger, I was both a Mixer and Harmonizer, and the arguments between both fandoms were intense, but looking back most fights were started by Mixers. The fandom always had a bit of a superiority complex about LM which always went too far, such as calling 5H talentless, couldn't sing, couldn't dance etc. which just isn't true. The same thing can be said in terms of the drift between OT3 fans and Jesy fans. OT3 fans basically call Jesy talentless and say that she was always the weakest, which no-one ever used to dare say. They also bully anyone who likes Jesy. It got so bad in 2021/2022 that two of Jesy's fans actually took their own lives due to the bullying they received from Mixers just because they liked Jesy.

[@SummersFrost]

You ATE with this format omg more please

[@riaskyer]

Nicole Rafiee and Swiftologist are my favorite KZbinrs... the content crossover is insane.

[@just.amxrah]

omg we need more of these videos in this format

[@smr5601]

I LOVED this video, the format and detail, I would want more and also more clips/images of tweets when possible 😘 you did a really good job explaining this to someone who was not that familiar with all the lore and only started being interested because of the recent TikTok resurgence of 5th harmony.

[@theswiftologist]

noted on more tweets etc!!

[@EmmaDaisy]

Yes! Tweets and texts 😬 Ok, maybe I’m too nosy.

[@MineralTown]

honestly realizing how young they were, tf did anyone expect?? unless they were the most patient, generous, rational teenage girls in existence this was bound to be a mess. clearly no one behind the scenes cared to actually get a handle on them and just let them implode as long as they were showing up for work. honestly sad that most of their careers pretty much ended at the age of 20. to be burnt out and "washed up" when most of your peers careers are starting sucks. screw their parents too for letting them sign those contracts

[@rafaelgarcia1509]

Just FYI Bad things wasn’t a flop! It was a top 10 hit (at number 4) and end it up at #41 as the end of the year chart!

[@alisonsmith6748]

I was never a fan of this group, nor did I know anything about them aside from Camilla being part of it then leaving and opening for Taylor.... but I watched this whole video because I'm a Swiftologist stan. And I enjoyed the tea! More please! 😂

[@bt4582]

I would say Camilla Cobello is def a success. Normani almost and Lauren had a song with Halsey.

[@arianabttroff1404]

not u calling a sams club an old folks home im CRYINGGGG

[@theswiftologist]

Kfkehejdhejhd WHAT IS A SAMS CLUB…

[@jillsarah7356]

It’s kind of like a Walmart lol

[@Lilithmaynot]

I Know What You Did Last Summer was a flop??? I thought it was massive, I heard it nonstop for ages

[@mrphalange7015]

This format is excellent. Keep it coming!

[@Its_about_drive_its_about_po]

Fifth harmony is literally my Roman empire thank you so much Zach 🙏🏽

[@Wahida93290]

As an harmonizer I wanted to hate this video, but honestly this is the funniest break down of Fifth Harmony’s breakup so thank you

[@theswiftologist]

I am honoured

[@andreasinterlude]

i hope you explore future videos with this concept because this was such a fun watch!! loved your commentary and your takes🩷

[@riccardocolombo1792]

Now as an harmonizer this is THE SHIT King, you never stop feeding and surprising us❤ BTW set your audio on mono to enjoy with both ears so Zack doesn't lose his sanity

[@freddiemalvaez23]

I just woke up to this 🥳🥳🥳! Zachary you never fail to showcase your work ethic and your passion to your on craft! Loved the video 10/10

[@hannahd8225]

wow. just finished watching and I'm so impressed by how well researched and well written this video is. enjoyed every minute!! would love to see more videos like this... (and im still waiting for the melodrama video essay 🙏)

[@theswiftologist]

melodrama essay is of course always in the works......

[@unfazedgeorge]

The evidence board and your use of stories stringing the lines between everyone involved is next level work! Great video Zack!

[@Don-ch9ic]

As an ex harmonizer I have to say that Camila was always putting in so much effort. Every single performance she sung until the end, talked to the crowd, and just seemed to be enjoying herself (even if she actually wasn't). She just had this level of passion that was far more intense than the other girls.

[@cliffinkaemurd1320]

Fr. She was putting alot of work. It's only fair that she put that effort into herself not the owners of that group.

[@laurenlaugh05]

You did a great job balancing the information with humor! I'd LOVE to see a video like this on little mix as well/ Also I remember missing the twitch stream where you went over 5th harmony and their performances, so I am SO GLAD you did this video!

[@theswiftologist]

Great suggestion!

[@JoyOgbatue]

Boss and Worth It, Camila and Dinah were minors when this came out and being sexualized so young. So sad. 😭 Edit: Dinah is the youngest in Fifth Harmony. Not Camila. 45:15-45:24 😅

[@funky3dpunky]

right she was only 15 when they debuted

[@JoyOgbatue]

@@funky3dpunky it’s true. Boss and Worth It came out in 2014 and 2015. So they were both 17.

[@alexarobertson17]

I saw this title and thumbnail and immediately said “NICOLE!!!” Love both of your videos! 🥰

[@Addictedonline101]

Babes Camila is/was the best singer, and their impossible performance at judges house showed she stood out and had something special and she kept showing that - there were very valid reasons why she was the biggest

[@richmaxmchalliwchester1984]

The were few main issues with Fifth Harmony: a) the contract they had was truly awful, the label, the management was all awful and producers didn´t help it either. b) there was completely no unity, you had 5 girls that had no intentions to be in the group, there was no real friendship, it was colleague friendship and on top of that both public and people around them were consistently putting them against each other. You have to give it to Camila though, because she was quite a mastermind during her time in band, the way she orchestrated everything to fall in a place is for history books. When Camila said that if she was allowed to be part of creating process she would stay for that 3rd album while working on her solo album i truly believe her. Although she had plans to leave band for a long time she clearly didn´t want to end it on a bad note. And she definitely learned a lot of tricks from Taylor that she used in both her career in 5H and her solo career. She debuted with 4 very different songs: Crying In The Club, I Have Questions, OMG and Havana. She had album prepared but once Havana started smashing she was able to adapt and rework the album completely in matter of just few months. In my opinion Camila truly was the star of the group, she´s the only one from the group that had an actual vision of her identity as an artist, what kind of music she wants to make and turned all of that into reality. She had only bit more over 1 year ahead in her solo career but she was able to put out 3 album with 4th one getting released this year. Non of the other girls had any idea what they want to do as artists and that´s why their careers flopped. Normani has potential but everything takes her too long. Lauren has a vision but she has no interest in being a pop star. And both Ally and Dinah have completely no clue what are they doing. I´m fan of the group and all their solo careers and i hope once we´ll get a reunion. I don´t care if it´s a song, a tour or just 1 single performance but i definitely need to see a reunion sometime in my life.

[@questionxtheculture]

“Her identity as an artist” LMAO girl be serious, what identity are you talking about?? She started trying to be another pop girl as miss taylor swift but it didnt work so then she decided to go with her “latina persona” just because of havana… and now after 2 more latin flop albums shes playing her new card, the “alternative pop girl”, so funny to see how everything that shes trying is just not working for the public anymore, and thats because her music is laking of identity.

[@2222el]

even if you don't like camila, you can look at some of her song lyrics that aren't lead singles, and see that what she writes are obviously personal to her. in 5h they never were given opportunities to write their songs, pick what songs goes on what album, or what verse they get. how could you find your identity as an artist in a group when you're given little to no opportunity to. you can't seriously expect her to stick to one genre of music her whole career either right? lmao. and she literally has only one latin album 😭@@questionxtheculture

[@youknowimwater]

the person above me is just mad and wrong for no reason😭

[@cliffinkaemurd1320]

@@questionxtheculture What are you yapping about? You are just pulling shit from your A**

[@LilacSreya]

@@questionxthecultureGeez, chill. What’s your problem? She’s always been a latina. Her mix style is fine. It’s just that the present market too heavily supports hip-hop & rap (with some pop thrown in).

[@EffieStephens33]

I just paused my television, jaw on the floor, to run to my phone to write you this comment. You just keep getting better and better with your subject choices. You’re three steps ahead of us, Icon. This is the video I didn’t even know I needed in my world. 💜

[@theswiftologist]

thank you so much!!!

[@alattadikimahbut5270]

“It’s like they’re performing against each other” so true, Camilas solo career came to be because she never stopped auditioning until she was a signed solo artist

[@bransonlincolnberger]

YAY! The video from that post is made! Praise The Fifth Harmonyologist!! ❤

[@catastrophicblue]

Loving the chronically online gay explains series btw.

[@oliranu]

probably my fav video of yours! needing a 1d one!!

[@kayleemerry6782]

please!!!!!!!

[@Alyssadwitrado]

No cause Camila was a coach on the season of the voice I was on. She was my favorite human ever I adore her. She was so kind and made everyone feel so loved 🩷

[@marissaemily8452]

Coffee and a messy boots vid, best way to start my Sunday

[@racheldraughon]

I’ve always been infatuated with the chronically online thing that Nicole Rafiee does. This is such a cool format. I love your take on it!!

[@KIZZABERRY]

The way that I’ve never been a Fifth Harmony or Camilla fan in any capacity (I’ve only JUST recently developed an appreciation for the song ‘Work from Home’) but I’ve always found their story and drama so fascinating. And, though I feel sad for each of the girls in what was a very difficult and toxic situation,… I’m so glad this drama exists. It’s wild.

[@bellereinette2938]

With the current Fifth Harmony resurgence I would love to see them make a comeback I feel like it would have been the great time with BlackPink currently on hiatus (Side point, I'm sorry Blinks thats just what it seems right now with The Pinks individually leaving YG (we SCREAM with joy!) their clearly focusing on their solo careers I do see them coming back in 2026 for their 10th Anniversary as a thank you to their fans though) But I WAITED this long for Normani's album so GIVE QUEEN HER MOMENT! Maybe next year tho... I hope.

[@parkerburgio]

Side note but your skin looks flawless. Like ur glowing Zach 🫶🏼✨

[@sebab7977]

fifth harmony’s old music hits different 🧍‍♂️

[@VioletPollux]

It's not like there's any new music though

[@0regretsinlife]

Alright Aside from the horrendous audio issue, fifth harmony was a group that we all used to hear during 2012-2017ish. I just recently found their track Squeeze and now I’m going through their discography and I’m really wondering what the hell happened. I loved Camila’s self titled album and her following romance release. I know she’s changing it up a bit now but I mean I’m excited to see wtf she’s got a few years later

[@lfior]

Someone had already commented on this but I’d like to reiterate that I would love a Camila and Shawn timeline as well! Loved this video ❤

[@chloerose9938]

Love this, one small correction, you made reference several times to Camila being the youngest in the group, Dinah-Jane was actually the youngest by a couple months.

[@ZaraJohnson-o3s]

This is very interesting to me--the X Factor seems to be trying to do what kpop survival shows do, but did it badly. I have my own thoughts on kpop ethics (there's a LOT of issues), but the survival shows in general are more successful than this. Some really big groups are the products of them--Twice, Stray Kids, Izone (rip), kep1er, Enhypen, iKon--and while some are temporary groups from the start (Izone, kep1er), others last a long time (Twice, iKon, Stray Kids and Enhypen are still going strong though they haven't hit the 7 year mark yet). I wonder what made the X Factor fail so spectacularly at this while K-Pop does it comparatively so effectively.

[@faeriegraver]

Simon Cowell put One Direction, and Little Mix together on the X Factor over here in the UK. While both groups lost members and there was mess, they were managed well enough to seem like cohesive groups. Little Mix were together as the four members put together on the X Factor for *years* before Jesy left and the drama didn't peak until she debuted solo. They were the first group to win the X Factor, and the members had all entered as solo artists. It doesn't seem like the same amount of effort was put into 5H as a group. Before the X Factor, in Britain we had Popstars, and Popstars: The Rivals. Which were more like a K-pop survival show, as they were making bands. The X Factor kept putting groups together made out of soloists that "didn't quite make it" but they weren't successful, and didn't get very far through the show until One Direction, and Little Mix. Given how successful these groups were, it seems like they tried it again but literally everything was done poorly. The X Factor ended up gradually falling off. The most successful K-pop survival shows was the Produce series with the winners only having temporary contracts anyway. There was the huge scandal. I was fully invested in Boys Planet though I don't know if the Mnet groups can reach the success of Wannaone and iz*one, but I am hopeful for ZB1. I think there just wasn't the level of micromanaging behind 5H as 1D and Little Mix, and certainly not a K-pop survival show group.

[@winterviveca5976]

I have never in my life listened to Fofth Harmomy song voluntarily but I swallow all these videos UP

[@drewrosen]

I didn’t know a lot about the fifth harmony fallout but WOW THIS VIDEO WAS SOOOOO INTERESTING. Amazing execution keep doing what ur doing💜💜💜

[@theswiftologist]

thanks for watching!!

[@LydiaTaylorMusic]

A new person to absolutely stan parasocially! Heck yeah

[@Nienke131]

Really didn’t know a lot about fifth harmony aside from a few of their songs but this video was very entertaining! Hope you’ll do more of this kind of format.

[@theswiftologist]

coming right up!

[@FeeESC]

i do think we should hold 15 year olds accountable for their actions. Racism is not a phase

[@Iris-ls5bg]

The boys from my class be like:

[@karisat2136]

I loved that song Miss Movin’ On… 😂 what a bop that was. I feel like it was always easy to see the tension within Fifth Harmony… I can’t wait to hear Normani’s album! Loved this video Zach! ❤❤❤

[@originalparafan]

I wasn’t a fan so I was unaware of all of this. SOOOO MESSY. OMG. The performances, the meet and greets. So messy.

[@tinyrat275]

Love Nicole’s videos, and I love your take on them!

[@phannectionsextremetierexe]

The objectivity around Taylor seeking out marketability was really refreshing, that is a very good point to bring in

[@MadelynnMarlowe]

I'm so exited for this video can you maybe also make a similar video for one direction if you know enough about them?

[@paulanicole4786]

THE FLOP SUMMIT AHHHHFKDFJK i am also a chronically online gay so I was on the ground experiencing all of this in real time but I still really appreciated this video and will be forcing my friends to listen to it in its entirety the next time they bring up 'that girl group I was obsessed with that fell off'.

[@paulanicole4786]

i never considered the hand taylor was probably playing in the camila going solo stuff.......................sooooo interesting

[@cierraneitzel5865]

- Before watching this video, I didn't even know that the reason 5th Harmony's group name was because there were 5 group members.... one 55-minute lecture with Dr. Swiftologist, and I was TAUGHT. - I'd love more exploration of random pop culture topics like this! The mix of factual information and your own opinion is super interesting. The "chronologically online gay explains" take on the topic was a SLAY. - I loooved all the visuals!! Copyright can make this tricky, but when an inserted clip of an interview or performance helps my brain process the information more effectively. -----------ok, end of ramble. I hope this feedback is helpful and not too overbearing. *hand heart*

[@theswiftologist]

thank you so much cierra!!

[@alyj6398]

I love messy 'behind the curtains' stories like this. I also feel like this style of video would be great for exploring the writing and events timelines of Taylor's (and other artists') albums.

[@teddychanfanatic1]

It was revealed that Normani's parents both were dealing with health issues in the midst of the pandemic. As far as her confiden e, I think its true. She has done interviews and re ealed how she didnt think she was truly worthy of the apotlight. But I am waiting for her new album to drop!

[@maadeofchalk]

Is this a Nicole Rafee reference? Cuz i love it ❤

[@spencerchan6003]

Lauren is still making music and her music is really good but she is also smoking weed and spreading love