Camila Cabello is looking back on her time in Fifth Harmony with a mixture of reflection and grace. In a candid interview with Nylon, the “I Luv It” singer opened up about her journey with the girl group, sharing insights from their formation in 2012 to her departure in December 2016.
Cabello, now 27, admitted that her time in the spotlight during her teenage years was challenging. Reflecting on the pressures she faced, she shared that she wasn’t sure whether she was “struggling more than a normal teenager should.” “It’s hard to say what’s normal, whether you’re famous or not,” she said. “My barometer wasn’t functional. It was more than a person should bear in that situation.”
Despite the struggles, Cabello emphasized the importance of maintaining peace within a group dynamic. “Conflict resolution is really important, especially when it comes to a group,” she noted, acknowledging that these are skills she didn’t fully grasp at 16. “How do you deal with being left out? How do you deal with jealousy? How do you handle these things without hurting yourself or others?”
The singer also touched on the complexities of growing up in the public eye, adding that managing such emotions wasn’t easy when faced with the expectations of fame.
Fifth Harmony was formed in 2012 on The X Factor U.S. by Simon Cowell, with Cabello joining Normani, Dinah Jane, Ally Brooke, and Lauren Jauregui. The group rose to prominence with chart-topping hits like 2015’s “Worth It” and 2016’s “Work From Home,” and released two successful albums, Reflection and 7/27. However, after years of success, Cabello decided to leave the group in December 2016.
At the time, Fifth Harmony issued a statement confirming her exit, noting, “After 4 and a half years of being together, we have been informed via her representatives that Camila has decided to leave Fifth Harmony. We wish her well.” The remaining members — Normani, Dinah, Ally, and Lauren — decided to continue as a quartet and released a self-titled album in 2017, reaffirming their commitment to both the group and their solo pursuits.
In her own statement, Cabello expressed gratitude for her time with the group, adding, “As sad as it is to see this chapter ending this way, I will continue to root them all on as individuals and as a group, I wish nothing but the best for them, all the success in the world and true happiness.”
Since leaving Fifth Harmony, Cabello has flourished in her solo career, releasing four successful albums — Camila (2018), Romance (2019), Familia (2022), and C,XOXO (2024), the latter being a heartfelt tribute to her Miami roots. However, despite branching out as a solo artist, she still cherishes the bonds she formed within Fifth Harmony.
In her Nylon interview, Cabello also reflected on a recent meeting with Normani, 28, at Paris Fashion Week in September. The pair, who were once inseparable during their time in the group, have reconnected and seem to be rekindling their friendship. “The past couple of times I’ve seen her, I say something and she laughs really hard,” Cabello shared. “It doesn’t feel like we’re strangers. We’re getting back to the times when we were really close.”
Camila Cabello’s journey since leaving Fifth Harmony has been marked by personal growth and creative exploration. In her interview with Nylon, she shared not only the lessons she learned from her time in the group, but also her commitment to living in the moment. As the 27-year-old singer continues to grow as an artist and individual, it’s clear that her experience in Fifth Harmony has shaped the powerful and introspective musician she is today.
READ MORE: