Why Fifth Harmony Was the Girl Group to Break Through in 2015

When One Direction and The Wanted began ushering in a new era of boy-band mania in 2011, many pop fans wondered if their female counterparts would find a similar resurgence of interest. It had been more than a half-decade since the Pussycat Dolls and Danity Kane broke through, and Destiny's Child, arguably the last girl group that people really cared about, had more or less called it quits years ago. A few potential breakouts popped up (Cimorelli, Wonder Girls, The Saturdays) and attempted to fill the void, but ultimately Fifth Harmony was the troupe to finally break through, mostly thanks to its radio hit "Worth It" this year. However, what can't be discounted is the group's unshakable commitment to its unique brand of girl power, which translates across the group and through its members' individual personalities.

While Fifth Harmony didn't win Season 2 of The X Factor, the quintet—Ally, Camila, Normani, Lauren and Dinah Jane—had already created an extremely passionate fanbase, the Harmonizers, by the time they bowed out as finalists. That following helped them earn a recording contact with Simon Cowell's Syco Music (home to groups like 1D and Little Mix) and Epic Records.