I recently watched the Netflix series ‘Pop Star Academy: Katseye’ and found it a deeply unsettling viewing experience.
The series documents the formation of a new “global girl group” through a K-pop training programme that abruptly pivots to a survival show, exploiting and manipulating the talented young women in ways that are truly dystopian.
One of the standout performers / unwitting contestants in the first few episodes is the supremely self-possessed Slovakian teenager, Adéla Jergova; equal parts Eurovision siren and turn-of-the-millennium teen pop star.
Many of her fellow contestants expect her to go the distance but, alas, she winds up one of the first eliminees, guilty of the heinous crime of not garnering enough likes on Instagram.
As she tearfully says her goodbyes, one of the very wise girl group experts shrugs at the camera, saying “they had always seen her as a solo artist anyway”.
Sure enough, Caps Lock enthusiast ADÉLA has since become the breakout star of the show.
Her first couple of singles earned millions of streams, bringing her to the attention of one Claire ‘Grimes’ Boucher, who has produced her (incredible) latest single ‘MACHINE GIRL’ and even provides a jumpscare moment in the music video.
I will find it hard to root for the final configuration of Katseye, having had a gruesome glimpse behind the scenes of their working life, but I am manifesting enduring pop stardom for ADÉLA.
Listen to ADÉLA on:
Spotify | Apple Music | Tidal | YouTube
Connect with ADÉLA on:
Pop Nuggets
Our Lorde and saviour returns. Fresh from a guest appearance during Charli XCX’s Coachella set last weekend, Ella Yelich O’Connor has shared a tantalising clip of a new single, ‘What Was That’, from her forthcoming fourth album. Hear a clip here.
Ethel Cain is the first openly trans artist to have a top ten album on the US Billboard 200. Almost three years after its release, her debut album ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ has reached a new peak, buoyed by its release on vinyl. Read more on Dazed.
Sugababes: The Ascension. Mutya, Keisha and Siobhán roll into Dublin this weekend for an Easter Sunday gig at the 3Arena, with the incredible Rose Gray as their support act. Let’s hope the pre-gig conversation steers clear of Britney Spears lyrics…