Filipino contestant Sophia Laforteza has been chosen as one of 10 finalists of the "The Debut: Dream Academy" Program for a global girl group under HYBE and Geffen Records.
The 10 finalists were revealed in a video uploaded on the HYBE Labels channel. The video also revealed the top 2 contestants from Mission 3 voting.
Sophia Laforteza (Instagram)
The top 10 finalists (HYBE, Geffen Records)
Laforteza grabbed the No. 1 spot followed by Rajagopalan at No. 2 and were guaranteed spots in the finale.
The 10 finalists are:
Sophia Laforteza, 20 (Philippines)
Lara Rajagopalan, 17 (US)
Ezrela Abraham, 20 (Australia)
Daniela Avanzini, 19 (US)
Emily Kelavos, 17 (US)
Samara Siqueira, 17 (Brazil)
Manon Bannerman, 21 (Switzerland)
Marquise Auramornrat, 17 (Thailand)
Megan Skiendiel, 17 (US)
Yoonchae Jeong, 15 (South Korea)
The top 10 will be appearing in the live finale on Nov. 18 in Los Angeles.
HYBE and Geffen Records earlier revealed the 20 contestants from around the world, who were chosen from more than 120,000 applicants since the two companies announced the HYBE x Geffen Global Girl Group Audition in November 2021.
This is the first time that a major US record label and a K-pop entertainment agency have worked together to develop an international girl group unlike any other.
It will also be the first time that a US-based, truly global girl group will be created and modeled after the world-renowned K-pop training and development system.