Lara Raj and Ezrela, hailing from Indian roots, have successfully claimed their positions among the 20 finalists who are fervently vying for an opportunity to skyrocket into stardom
In an exciting turn of events, two immensely talented Indian-origin singers have secured their spots among the top 20 contestants chosen for a remarkable audition program called The Debut: Dream Academy, as per a report by PTI.
Lara Raj and Ezrela, hailing from Indian roots, have successfully claimed their positions among the 20 finalists who are fervently vying for an opportunity to skyrocket into stardom.
Their ultimate aspiration is to become integral members of a pioneering global girl group. This groundbreaking endeavor is a collaboration between South Korea’s music powerhouse HYBE, renowned for managing the global sensation BTS under Big Hit Music, and Geffen Records, a prominent subsidiary of Universal Music Group. The partnership between these giants was formally unveiled in November 2021.
The selection process for this unprecedented venture was exceptionally rigorous, involving an astounding 120,000 submissions. After meticulous evaluation, the final list of 20 contestants was curated for the momentous audition program, aptly named The Debut: Dream Academy. This announcement was made during an electrifying livestream event that emanated from IGA Studios in Santa Monica on August 28.
The impending global girl group, whose official name remains tantalizingly concealed, is meticulously crafted and patterned on the acclaimed K-pop training and development framework. Over the past year, the contestants have dedicatedly honed their skills in Los Angeles, immersed in the same regimen that has produced global K-pop sensations.
During the unveiling ceremony, Lara Raj confidently introduced herself, stating, “Hi, I am Lara Raj. I’m 17 and I’m Indian from LA.” Notably, Raj was also a part of the esteemed Global Girls Alliance “Day of the Girl” campaign, spearheaded by former first lady Michelle Obama in 2019.
Ezrela, aged 20, introduced herself as an Indian artist hailing from Australia, adding another layer of diversity and global representation to this remarkable group.
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In addition to fan participation through voting, a distinguished panel of experienced evaluators will provide invaluable feedback and guidance to the contestants
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Their collective expertise will play an instrumental role in shaping the growth and development of these gifted young women, thereby solidifying their path to global musical stardom
The journey for these aspiring stars involves a year-long intensive training program, and their transformational process will be documented in an eagerly anticipated Netflix documentary series. This groundbreaking series, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Nadia Hallgren, known for her work on the Netflix documentary “Becoming,” is set to premiere in 2024. Produced by a collaboration between HYBE, Interscope Films, and Boardwalk Pictures, the documentary will offer an intimate glimpse into the rigorous training and evolution of these rising stars.
The captivating audition program is set to kick off on September 1, with episodes airing on YouTube over a span of nearly three months. The culmination of this thrilling journey will be witnessed during the program’s grand finale on November 17, where the final composition of the group will be unveiled.
John Janick, the esteemed chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, expressed his enthusiasm for this unprecedented endeavor. He highlighted the shared vision between HYBE and his team, emphasizing their joint commitment to artist development, music, and creativity. Janick shared, “To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-Pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its kind experience in music. Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, making this an exciting moment for music fans around the world.”
In addition to fan participation through voting, a distinguished panel of experienced evaluators will provide invaluable feedback and guidance to the contestants. Their collective expertise will play an instrumental role in shaping the growth and development of these gifted young women, thereby solidifying their path to global musical stardom.
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