HYBE and Geffen Records revealed the names of the 20 contestants from around the world who will compete for a spot in a global girl group. 

The 20 contestants were chosen from more than 120,000 applicants since the two companies announced the HYBE x Geffen Global Girl Group Audition in November 2021.

The 20 contestants for the global girl group project by HYBE and Geffen Records (Getty Images for HYBE x Geffen Records)

(From left) John Janick, chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M Records; Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE; and Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group attend as HYBE x Geffen Records announce contestants for the global girl group on Aug. in Santa Monica, California (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for HYBE x Geffen Records)

This is the first time that a major US record label and a K-pop entertainment agency have collaborated to assemble, develop, and introduce an international girl group unlike any other.

It is also 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, under which the 20 contestants have been quietly training over the last year in Los Angeles.

Of the 20 contestants, six are from the US, three from Japan, two from South Korea, and one each from the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Switzerland, Australia, Belarus, Argentina, Sweden and Slovakia. 

The 20 contestants are: 

Marquise Auramornrat, 17 (Thailand) 

Emily Kelavos, 17 (US)

Yoonchae Jeong, 15 (South Korea)

Sophia Laforteza, 20 (Philippines) 

Ua Shimada, 15 (Japan)

Mei Terada, 17 (Japan)

Nayoung Lee, 21 (South Korea)

Samara Siqueira, 17 (Brazil) 

Manon Bannerman, 21 (Switzerland) 

Megan Skiendiel, 17 (US)

Lara Rajagopalan, 17 (US) 

Ezrela Abraham, 20 (Australia) 

Iliya Fedartsova, 21 (Belarus) 

Celeste Diaz, 19 (Argentina) 

Daniela Avanzini, 19 (US) 

Lexie Levin, 19 (Sweden) 

Brooklyn Van Zandt, 17 (US) 

Hinari Irie, 14 (Japan) 

Adela Jergova, 19 (Slovakia)

Karlee Tanaka, 19 (US)

The 20 contestants for the global girl group (HYBE / Geffen Records)

They will now compete in the world-class audition program titled “The Debut: Dream Academy”, and fans can follow the contestants as they embark on the audition program. 

The content will premiere on Sept. 1 at 8 a.m. US PDT on YouTube (Global), and ABEMA (Japan). At the end of the audition program later this year, the final members of the group will be determined, and the name of the group will be revealed.

During the press conference for the event held at IGA Studios in Santa Monica, California, Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE, and John Janick, chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, discussed the global girl group. 

“I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while. To do this I believed we needed a capable partner. When I met John (Janick), from the first moment, we both felt instantly that we had a connection, musically and creatively. I am very proud of the rich history we have made and the tremendous talent we have found. I am proud of the opportunities we have created within the K-pop universe," said Bang Si-hyuk. 

Janick said, “Since we began our partnership two years ago, Bang and I have often spoken about our shared beliefs in artist development, music and creativity. 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.”

A panel of experts discussed the project. They were Tom March, president, Geffen Records; Mitra Darab, president, HxG; Sungdeuk Son, executive creator, HxG); Humberto Leon, creative director; and Jay Ihn, head of creative production, HxG.

The 20 contestants were revealed next. An art film was unveiled to introduce the contestants. 

“The Debut: Dream Academy” audition program content will be available to watch starting Sept. 1 and will run for 12 weeks until the live finale on Nov. 17 where the top contestants will vie for a spot in the final lineup of the global girl group. Fans will play a crucial role throughout the entire competition via fan voting on Weverse and TikTok. 

In addition, the creation of the global girl group will be the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary. The series will focus on their journey including the training and development program from HYBE and Geffen Records. It will be directed by Nadia Hallgren, who was at the helm of the four-time Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “Becoming.” The series produced by HYBE, Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures is set to premiere in 2024. 

HYBE manages K-pop acts BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN and NewJeans.