BY RACHEL MOSELY PHOTOGRAPHS BY SASHA SAMSONOVA Fab

THEY’RE NO LONGER FIVE, BUT YOU CAN STILL COUNT ON FIFTH HARMONY FOR IRRESISTIBLE FourSONGS AND EMPOWERING MESSAGES FROM ALLY, NORMANI, LAUREN, AND DINAH.

anging out with Fifth Harmony is just as much of a blast as you’d imagine. They greet you with a “Hey, girl!” and hugs, and they joke constantly. They also chat a mile a minute about everything going on in their lives right now: the slinky new sound that they debuted on their single “Down” (“It’s the first time we’ve played our music on repeat and still loved it,” says HAlly Brooke Hernandez, 24); their upcoming album; and how they’ve evolved since they teamed up five years ago on The X Factor. “When we met, it basically felt like elementary school,” says Dinah Jane Hansen, 20. “Now we’re in our senior year.” Of course, this hasn’t been the easiest nine months. In December, original member Camila Cabello, 20, exited the group (they carefully avoid talking about her), but Lauren Jauregui, Normani Kordei (both 21), Ally, and Dinah are proudly carrying on as a foursome. “We’re focusing on this new era,” says Ally. “We’ve had some highs and some very, very sad lows, but together we’re writing our new narrative.” Adds Normani: “It’s so beautiful having four women on the same page. There’s nothing we can’t get through together.” At the moment, though, we’re temporarily separating them to let each 5H star chat about big changes, body confidence, and more. Read on!

80 81 5H has been vocal about embracing feminism. What does that mean in your life? Normani “It’s so important that you cheer other women on—that’s always been our message. Is anything different now “Stay true And I think it’s especially that there are four of you? important that we share with “We may argue sometimes, others that they’re uniquely but at the end of the day, to who you different and beautiful the there is respect and way they are.” commitment. We had the are. If you best time of our lives working How has being in the group on this album. We dance to it feel that helped you come into your all the time. It’s really dope— own regarding body image? we’re in an amazing place, something “I have 12 little cousins and and I couldn’t be happier.” siblings in my house, and isn’t right hearing them loving Fifth You killed it on Dancing Harmony makes me so happy, with the Stars earlier this or you’re because we Polynesian girls year. What about the are often naturally thick- process surprised you? boned. So I love that I can “I tend to run away from becoming personally be a role model for things I’m fearful of, but it them and say, ‘Yo, you don’t helped me to be so much someone have to stress. Look at me! more positive about myself. I’m standing up there, and I’m I feel like I turned into a you’re not, rocking it.’ ” woman on that show.” listen to What would you tell your We love your shorter hair. younger self about dating? “I feel like it brings my face your inner “To be patient! I watched so out. Style is all about trial many chick flicks when I was and error—it’s crazy to look voice.” younger that it kind of messed back at when I had blue with my mind in terms of how hair! I love to work against –NORMANI to see romance. You have to trends instead of with them. love yourself before you love You have to fully own what anyone else.” you like. It’s boring if we’re all the same!” What’s on your career What insecurities do you bucket list? still wrestle with? “My goal, not just for “I’ve struggled with self- myself but for all of us, is confidence in a different to win a Grammy.” way than the other girls, in the sense that I’m the only black girl in the group. It’s a problem that so Dinah many little girls—whether they’re African-American, Latin, whatever—can’t identify with what they see. Hopefully I can be a source of light. I feel like I have the power to influence a whole generation, which is overwhelming at times but also such a beautiful thing.”

82 83 You came out as bisexual last year. Was it intimidating to do so? “You know, I wasn’t scared at all. I think there’s huge power in owning yourself and not being afraid. You can’t use the fact that I’m bisexual against me if that’s something I’m proud of. I feel motivated more than scared to share who I am because it makes me feel awesome when someone comes up to me and says that because of me she was able to find the strength to accept herself. It’s cool to help people feel like they’re talking to someone who cares about them.” “It’s so What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself over the important to Ally past year? What do you say to “Probably affirming my self-worth. believe in fans who wonder if solo I had to go to a therapist to get projects (like “Look at Us there. I’ve had problems with yourself and Now,” your song with Lost believing that I had a lot to offer. Kings) point to a breakup? I was my own bully. I was forced to value your “We respect the fact that talk to that part of myself that kept we have different creative holding me back.” worth.” passions. That’s celebrated, You’re always in the public eye. as long as everyone is –ALLY How do you deal when you feel honest. And we of course down about the way you look? know that Fifth Harmony is “I’ve had times where everyone’s like, our home. No surprises!” ‘Wow, you look so skinny! You look You’ve spoken about your great!’ And they don’t know I’m in acting aspirations. What’s a really depressed place, and that’s your dream role? why I look like that. I’m all about “I’m obsessed with Wonder doing little things that make you feel FASHION STYLIST: Woman. She was so brave, healthier, like going to the gym or Johnny Wujek. HAIR: but I love that she just wanted drinking water. If I’m like, ‘I hate what (Lauren, Ally, and Dinah) to bring love to the world.” I’m seeing in the mirror,’ I say, ‘Okay, Clyde Haygood; (Normani) Randy Stodgehill. MAKEUP: what are you going to do to fix it?’ (Ally, Dinah, and Normani) Where do you get your Regardless, every single inch and Grace Pae; (Lauren) Lyndzay body confidence from? scar is what makes you you.” Zavitz. MANICURE: Emi Kudo. “Knowing that everyone is uniquely made is so important. Sometimes when I’m looking back on old footage or pictures, I’m like, ‘Wow, I remember that girl. She wasn’t as sure of herself as I am now.’ Now if I want to tone it up, I will, or if I want to stay a little thick, I can do that too.”

You all have different personalities. What’s your role within the group? “I’m the mama bear. I’m very encouraging when we’re having a bad day, but I also help keep everyone on their toes. And when times get tough and we’re exhausted, I try to be the one who says, ‘Girls, we can do it!’ ” Lauren

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