Danity Kane
Encyclopedia
Danity Kane was an American
female music group
signed to Bad Boy Records
, first established in 2005. Formed on the third installment of MTV
's Making the Band
reality television
series, the quintet comprised members Aubrey O'Day
, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett
, Shannon Bex
, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea Fimbres
. On the October 2008 finale episode of Making the Band 4, O'Day and Woodgett were confirmed as no longer a part of the group. On January 27, 2009, Richard confirmed to MTV.com
in an interview that Danity Kane was no longer a group. The final line-up of the group, featured in the 2009 season of Making the Band, consisted of Richard and Fimbres; all group members were ultimately released from their contracts with Bad Boy Records later within the year.
Danity Kane's self-titled debut studio album
was released in 2006 and achieved success in the United States
, shipping a million copies domestically, while spawning two singles with top 10 hit "Show Stopper
" and the ballad "Ride for You
". Their second studio album, Welcome to the Dollhouse
, was released on March 18, 2008, following the release of their second top 10 hit single "Damaged
". The band became the first female group in Billboard
history to debut their first two albums at the top of the charts.
returned with Making the Band 3, this time searching for the next female super group. With the help of choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson
, vocal trainer Doc Holiday and talent manager Johnny Wright, he set out on a multi-city search and chose twenty young singers out of almost 10,000 young women. While seven women remained, Combs became discontent with the level of talent remaining in the competition, and eventually decided not to form a band. He did, however, give a reprieve to three contestants he felt deserved another chance, including then-best friends Aubrey O'Day
and Aundrea Fimbres
, whose close bond originally formed early in the season. The three contestants became the first to appear in Season 2 of the show.
Afterwards, Combs once again pressed his team to audition new young women for the group. Finally, twenty young women were chosen and moved into a loft in New York City
. Viewers had become invested in O'Day and Fimbres's friendship, naming them "the AUs" and "Aubrea" (portmanteux of their first names put together), as they watched the two compete all over again for positions in the group. As the competition's challenges increased, their friendship seemed to become the foundation upon which the group was being built. In addition, O'Day emerged as the show's breakout star.
After weeks of dance and singing lessons, promotional appearances, and a performance in front of 10,000 at a Backstreet Boys
concert at Nissan Pavilion
in Bristow, VA, eleven contestants remained, including O'Day and Fimbres. The finalists were sent home for three months, told to polish up, and return for the final stretch in November 2005.
On the second season's finale, on Monday, November 15, 2005, the show's ratings broke MTV records as millions of viewers watched to see the group officially formed. Five of the eleven remaining contestants were chosen: O'Day first, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett
second, Shannon Bex
third, Dawn Angeliqué Richard fourth, and Fimbres last. The final five members of the group in place, the third season of Making the Band 3 tracked the development and struggles of the new band — from then on known as "Danity Kane" (a name taken from a female anime
superhero created and drawn by Richard). The group would later be featured on the second and third seasons of Making the Band 4 with new male R&B
group Day26
, as well as new solo artist Donnie Klang
.
was released to mixed reviews on August 22, 2006 in the United States
. Produced by Timbaland
, Scott Storch
, Rodney Jerkins
, Mario Winans
and Ryan Leslie
among others, the album sold over 90,000 copies in the first day of release, and over 234,000 in the first week of release. It eventually debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200
albums chart, knocking veteran Christina Aguilera
's Back to Basics
from the top spot and out-selling hip-hop duo OutKast
. The album received a platinum certification from the RIAA in November 2006.
The album's lead single "Show Stopper
", produced by Jim Jonsin, was serviced to radio on August 4, 2006, and subsequently debuted at number 17 on Billboard
's Hot 100; it however peaked at number 8 on that particular chart. Outside the United States, the song became a top 30 success in Germany
and Lithuania
. The selection for the album's second single, Bryan Michael Cox
produced "Ride for You
", was influenced by a fan poll that went around through e-mails, MySpace
, and the group's official web site. The music video for the song premiered on MTV
's Total Request Live
on December 5, 2006, the same day the band released a holiday song called "Home for Christmas
" which was written by group member Dawn Richard.
Between February 2007 to May 2007 Danity Kane performed as an opening act, along with the Pussycat Dolls
, on Christina Aguilera
's Back To Basics Tour
. In the meantime the band intensified work on their second album, which was initially scheduled for a late 2007 release, but eventually pushed back to 2008.
In summer 2007, during a hiatus between their first and second albums, speculation by fans and the media circled the Internet
and entertainment news outlets concerning the possibility of Danity Kane splitting up. The rumors were fueled by quotes taken out of context (most notably when Aubrey O'Day
was questioned by TMZ
about her relationship to the successful pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls
and their television show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
) and by work the group members had done outside of Danity Kane since the release of their debut album. D. Woods
's association with another girl group, The Girl's Club, was specifically cited as adding credibility to breakup rumors. Additionally, reports of solo careers and of new groups forming from various combinations of members of the group were rampant.
Over the course of these rumors, the members of Danity Kane often published personal online responses to the breakup speculation. It was not until July 25, 2007 that Danity Kane released an official statement on their group MySpace
page stating that they were still together and working on their second album
, where solo singer Donnie Klang
, Day26
, and the girls, lived and recorded their albums together.
"Damaged
", the band's poll-voted lead single
off their second album Welcome to the Dollhouse
, was officially released as a digital single on January 29, 2008, and became the band's second top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video
had been nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for "Best Pop Video" and "Best Dancing in a Video" but lost to Piece of Me
by Britney Spears
and When I Grow Up
by the Pussycat Dolls respectively. Welcome to the Dollhouse, was eventually released on March 18, 2008 in the United States, where it debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200
, with first week sales of 236,000 copies (2,000 units more than their self-titled debut album
). The album eventually received a gold certification from the RIAA in April 2008. On September 28, 2008, the album had sold a total of 546,790 copies. In a May 2008 interview with Kiwibox.com, Danity Kane revealed that the follow-up single to "Damaged
" would be "Bad Girl
".
On the second season finale of Making the Band 4, it was announced that Danity Kane would be headlining a tour in 2008 and be featured on the next season of Making the Band, as Diddy stated himself. The third season of Making the Band 4 premiered on MTV August 19, 2008. Around a week later, the girls were featured in an interview with Z100
at the Beatstock Dance Festival. They said they were planning to release another single after "Bad Girl". This was before the departure of O'Day and Woods.
, Danity Kane once again encountered rumors of a breakup. Largely spurred by scenes from the Making the Band series featuring their mentor Sean Combs
sparring with O'Day over her dance performance and desire to create her own image separate from the group. On the August 28, 2008 episode of Making the Band, due to being consistently frustrated with the "oversexed" image he felt O'Day now showcased, Combs called O'Day "one of the worst dancers" in Danity Kane, when she used to be "one of the best". He told O'Day that she no longer looked like the girl he signed. Combs bluntly accused O'Day of trying to expand her fame at the expense of the entire group, and that she liked flaunting her breasts and wearing big hair. O'Day had boasted about her cleavage to former World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) guru and current SunSport broadband
television producer/host Paul Heyman
of The Heyman Hustle in order to validate her breasts as natural. In a controversial act, she rubbed her cleavage on Heyman's arm. Furious, Combs asked himself on television why he was keeping O'Day in the group. With O'Day forgoing promotional appearances with the group to appear as Amber Von Tussle on Broadway's Hairspray
, speculation arose that O'Day's role in the group had been marginalized. On September 7, 2008, however, the group appeared together at the MTV Video Music Awards
to help present the Best New Artist Award.
Separately, tension also seemed to be developing within the group due to rumors that Richard would perhaps be groomed to launch her own solo career with Bad Boy Records
. Rumors had been circulating that Richard was flown from Baltimore to New York for private meetings with Combs to launch her own solo career, especially after recording three tracks for Combs, which were purported to be Danity Kane tracks but only featured Richard's vocals; these vocals were leaked on the Internet. Combs went as far as to introduce Richard in a solo performance in early September. An Atlantic Records
spokesperson responded, "At no point was [Richard] flown anywhere to record solo or meet alone with [Combs]. The girls are still very much together. They're going out to the Video Music Awards together ... and they're promoting their album ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse' and working on their third."
On the October 7, 2008 episode of Making the Band, Combs stated that he did have Richard on three demos for his new album. On the same episode of the show, after continued debate with O'Day about the well-being of Danity Kane, he stated that O'Day was no longer in the group, as had been foreshadowed in an earlier episode within the season after a TRL
(Total Request Live) appearance. Combs was unaware of the specific problems within the group, but sensed that O'Day and Aundrea Fimbres
, who were originally close friends, had drastically drifted apart. O'Day and Richard informed Combs that the entire group had trust issues with management and ultimately each other. The season finale, which took place Tuesday, October 14, 2008, confirmed the departure of O'Day and Woods. Combs removed Woods due to feeling that she was unhappy with the group and that she had gotten "caught up in the wrath" of close friend O'Day. In the live section of the episode, Combs explained that the reason he let O'Day go was that she was not the same person he signed, that the fame had changed her (as had been expressed on the August 28, 2008 episode). "I got love for Aubrey," he said. "I don't have any beef with her. I just want to work with the young lady that I signed, not the person that fame has made her." He later stated that he would be open to working with Woods again. When O'Day came on to reply, just moments after deciding not to leave the studio, she first addressed the perception some people, especially blog
gers, have of her. "I would rather be hated every damn day of my life for being real than loved for being something I'm not," she stated. Combs, who spoke to the group and the audience via satellite, relayed to O'Day, "Check this out, baby girl... See, your attitude is gonna have you in a dark and lonely place. ... What you need to do, at the end of the day, is humble yourself." Woods did not appear on the live episode due to prior obligations.
In a backstage interview before the finale, O'Day said, "Tonight is a representation of the end of a chapter in my life; it's not the end of the book." She added, "I will do everything possible to make my mark on this industry, and Danity Kane and [Combs] provided me with this amazing opportunity to go out and really touch people's hearts. I think the way that we were able to inspire people was something that I will never be able to achieve in that way again in my life."
MTV News
reached out to a rep for Danity Kane to see where the future of the band stood now that [O'Day and Woods] were no longer in the group. It was reported that Woods planned to work with another group, the Girls Club, and that O'Day was working on a solo album.
In an October 15, 2008 interview with Us Weekly
, Richard gave further insight into O'Day's dismissal from Danity Kane. "[Combs] did not like [O'Day's] image...where her image was going for the group," she said. "It wasn't a personal thing." Richard explained that O'Day's increasingly "sexy look" was alienating young fans. Referring specifically to O'Day's topless pictures for Complex magazine just a month before, Richard stated, "We had just did a signing with Dollhouse Teen, which is for 13, 14-year-old young girls... So we can't do that one day and then the next day do an obnoxious cover.... [Combs] wants the fans, and he says he can't do that if we can continue to go in the direction that we were going." Richard further relayed, "[Combs] told me specifically that [O'Day] is no longer in Danity Kane and Danity Kane will move forward without her." When asked if Combs would seek "replacements" for O'Day and Woods, Richard stated, "He has not said anything per that. But I think in my heart that he is gonna do another show."
MTV News gauged fan reactions to the dismissals of O'Day and Woods. Fans left impassioned, long and detailed comments on the MTV News site about their discontent regarding the decision to remove the two singers, and relayed that the remaining members were using the breakup to "score" publicity. Richard, in particular, received resentment from fans. Other fans were more upset about the breakup in general, with the sentiment that Danity Kane would lack the individuality (je ne sais quoi) and excitement that O'Day and Woods brought to the group. Despite, however, the dismissals of O'Day and Woods, other sections of the fandom were willing to give the "new Danity Kane" a chance and believed that the group would be as strong as they were before.
Plastic Cash International, the decision was made to feature Danity Kane's image on Visa debit cards. The group had also been a part of a new ad campaign for PETA
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Collectively, as a group, there were plans for a fragrance, clothing and makeup line. Richard had developed a comic book based on the superhero the group based its name on, which was intended for release sometime in 2009.
However, in a January 28, 2009 interview with MTV News, Richard announced that the group had split up. Richard explained that Combs had invited all the women to come back on the 2009 season of Making the Band and that only two of them showed up. "It changes [our situation] completely," she said. "We have fans out there who love Danity Kane. We love Danity Kane. It's hard. We're sitting here trying to make sense of it now. It's hard. We're put in this position that we didn't ask to be in and we're being told to fix it."
The two members willing to continue within the group were Richard and Fimbres. Shannon Bex
did not show up. On the series and in an earlier interview, she had explicitly stated her discontent about Danity Kane being divided. "I don't know why [Bex left]," said Richard. "I think she's just happy. I don't want to even try to answer it 'cause that's not fair to her. I haven't [spoken to her] but I heard she's doing well with her husband and she got a house. I love her, but I don't know." Richard was surprised that only two members showed up for another season. "The thing about it ... I thought we were all going to come back and talk, or maybe if [O'Day] didn't come back, 'cause I don't know how [Combs] was feeling about that, if the four of us got together. I didn't know what to expect. I just know I got off the plane and found out I was the only one there and [Fimbres] came the next day."
Still in disbelief over the departures of O'Day and Woods, as well as the speculation about O'Day's sexuality and her forthcoming Playboy
spread, Richard stated, "I'm still surprised at it all. I'm still trying to recover from the first fire. So I'm still confused. I still don't know. I'm just being so honest. I have no idea."
On February 25, 2009, O'Day told MTV News that she was not sure if Woods had been asked back for the new season of Making the Band, as far as she knew, but that she herself was not asked to return. "Well, I was fired and we all saw that," she said. "I'm not sure about the other girls — who was invited back or what they were asked to do — but I obviously wouldn't be invited back if I was fired."
O'Day conveyed her hope that fans continue to honor the group that "made her a star". "Danity Kane was a wonderful group, and like all things, nothing is forever," she said. "We had a great run and we were very successful. We may not have that answer for our fans, which is disappointing, but we did try, and that's more than a lot of people." O'Day said that though she is pursuing her own career as a solo artist, she would never turn down the chance to get onstage with her former bandmates. "I have so much respect for that situation, if there was ever interest in me coming back ... and making music with the girls, I would never say no to something like that," she said. "In regards to the other negativity, I really just chose not to comment," said O'Day. "I wrote a blog on my MySpace page, and if anyone wants to know how I feel, they can go there." O'Day later seemed to have more of a positive feeling about the whole situation. She stated, "After being kicked out, I learned you have to fight to stay happy, and that takes forgiveness of yourself."
Viewers were able to see the band's continued demise on the third season of Making the Band 4, which premiered on February 12, 2009. During the February 26, 2009 episode, as well as the continued season, viewers saw Richard and Fimbres eager to continue being a group together and hoping to work with Bex again. This eagerness eventually ended in the April 16, 2009 airing. Within the first five minutes of the episode, Combs told Richard and Fimbres during a meeting that he released O'Day and Woods, along with Bex, from their contracts, and would be releasing Fimbres as well. He told Richard that she will remain on the label and that if there are any future plans for a new Danity Kane, she would be the only returning member.
On April 23, 2009, viewers were expecting to see all five members of Danity Kane for the second part of the finale to find out if Danity Kane would without a doubt be removed from the Bad Boy label or if they would have a "fresh start" as Combs stated in the first part of the finale. During the finale, Fimbres did not show up. Bex explained that Fimbres did not show up because Fimbres "had been through enough" emotional turmoil with the group and wanted to stay home with family. As for herself not showing up for the 2009 season of Making the Band, Bex said that it was a "personal choice" and was nothing against the fans. Woods said that part of the reason for the group's demise was due to not having a "sound foundation" when it began (five strangers being put together and expected to be emotionally close) and that eventually led to professional and personal problems with the group. O'Day said she has forgiven being released from the group, and people who blamed her for the group's breakup. When asked if Danity Kane could be a group again, O'Day said yes. Woods and Bex said not at this time. Combs said that they need a "time out" for now, particularly to work on their solo or alternative careers, and that he will not reunite Danity Kane unless the group consists of all five original members.
On April 30, 2009, a special titled "The Rise and Fall of Danity Kane" aired on MTV. The special was an in-depth story showcasing how the group came together and broke apart. It reasoned that the breakup of friendships and new friendships built in place of old friendships (O'Day and Fimbres becoming distant; O'Day bonding more with Woods and Fimbres bonding more with Bex), as well as insecurity issues of each member, were contributing factors for the group's demise. In addition, everyone except for Bex was speculated as having been a part of the blame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
female music group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
signed to Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
, first established in 2005. Formed on the third installment of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Making the Band
Making the Band
Making the Band is an ABC/MTV reality television series that exists in separate iterations, each iteration focusing on a specific music act. It spawned musical acts O-Town, Da Band, Danity Kane, Day26, and Donnie Klang...
reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series, the quintet comprised members Aubrey O'Day
Aubrey O'Day
Aubrey Morgan O'Day is an American singer, actress, fashion designer, television personality, and former member of the girl group Danity Kane...
, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett
D. Woods
Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett is an American R&B singer, dancer, and actress. She is a former member of the girl group Danity Kane. Woods is the founder and CEO of Woodgrane Entertainment.-Early life:...
, Shannon Bex
Shannon Bex
Shannon Rae Bex is a singer, professional dancer, anda former member of the musical group Danity Kane.The group was founded by P. Diddy through the MTV reality television series Making the Band 3. Danity Kane's debut album debuted at #1 on August 22, 2006, as did their second album Welcome to the...
, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea Fimbres
Aundrea Fimbres
Aundrea Aurora Fimbres is an American singer and dancer. Fimbres is a former member of the pop music group Danity Kane, from 2005 to 2009...
. On the October 2008 finale episode of Making the Band 4, O'Day and Woodgett were confirmed as no longer a part of the group. On January 27, 2009, Richard confirmed to MTV.com
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
in an interview that Danity Kane was no longer a group. The final line-up of the group, featured in the 2009 season of Making the Band, consisted of Richard and Fimbres; all group members were ultimately released from their contracts with Bad Boy Records later within the year.
Danity Kane's self-titled debut studio album
Danity Kane (album)
Danity Kane is the self-titled debut album by American Pop/R&B group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy Records on August 22, 2006 in the United States and by Atlantic Records on November 11, 2006 in Germany and Switzerland....
was released in 2006 and achieved success in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, shipping a million copies domestically, while spawning two singles with top 10 hit "Show Stopper
Show Stopper
"Show Stopper" is a R&B-dance-pop-snap song written by Angela Hunte, Krystal Oliver, Calvin Puckett, Frank Romano, and James Scheffer for Danity Kane's debut album Danity Kane . It features guest vocals by rapper Yung Joc and was produced by Jim Jonsin...
" and the ballad "Ride for You
Ride for You
"Ride for You" is an Pop/R&B ballad written by Bryan Michael Cox, Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean, and Adonis Stropshire for Danity Kane's debut album Danity Kane . Co-produced by Cox and Wyldcard, it was released as the album's second single in fall 2006 . The song peaked at number 78 on the U.S...
". Their second studio album, Welcome to the Dollhouse
Welcome to the Dollhouse (album)
Welcome to the Dollhouse is the second and final studio album by American R&B/pop group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy and Atlantic Records on March 18, 2008 in the United States and March 25, 2008 in Canada...
, was released on March 18, 2008, following the release of their second top 10 hit single "Damaged
Damaged (Danity Kane song)
"Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith...
". The band became the first female group in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
history to debut their first two albums at the top of the charts.
2004–2005: Making the Band 3
In 2004, producer Sean "Diddy" CombsSean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
returned with Making the Band 3, this time searching for the next female super group. With the help of choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson
Laurie Ann Gibson
Laurie N. Jibsen is a creative director, VMA-winning choreographer, and Emmy-nominated director best known for her work with Lady Gaga, Diddy and Keri Hilson. She rose to public prominence as the star of MTV's Making the Band and P. Diddy and Mark Burnett’s Starmaker series...
, vocal trainer Doc Holiday and talent manager Johnny Wright, he set out on a multi-city search and chose twenty young singers out of almost 10,000 young women. While seven women remained, Combs became discontent with the level of talent remaining in the competition, and eventually decided not to form a band. He did, however, give a reprieve to three contestants he felt deserved another chance, including then-best friends Aubrey O'Day
Aubrey O'Day
Aubrey Morgan O'Day is an American singer, actress, fashion designer, television personality, and former member of the girl group Danity Kane...
and Aundrea Fimbres
Aundrea Fimbres
Aundrea Aurora Fimbres is an American singer and dancer. Fimbres is a former member of the pop music group Danity Kane, from 2005 to 2009...
, whose close bond originally formed early in the season. The three contestants became the first to appear in Season 2 of the show.
Afterwards, Combs once again pressed his team to audition new young women for the group. Finally, twenty young women were chosen and moved into a loft in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Viewers had become invested in O'Day and Fimbres's friendship, naming them "the AUs" and "Aubrea" (portmanteux of their first names put together), as they watched the two compete all over again for positions in the group. As the competition's challenges increased, their friendship seemed to become the foundation upon which the group was being built. In addition, O'Day emerged as the show's breakout star.
After weeks of dance and singing lessons, promotional appearances, and a performance in front of 10,000 at a Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
concert at Nissan Pavilion
Nissan Pavilion
Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, is an outdoor live performance amphitheater in suburban Prince William County, about 35 miles west of Washington, DC...
in Bristow, VA, eleven contestants remained, including O'Day and Fimbres. The finalists were sent home for three months, told to polish up, and return for the final stretch in November 2005.
On the second season's finale, on Monday, November 15, 2005, the show's ratings broke MTV records as millions of viewers watched to see the group officially formed. Five of the eleven remaining contestants were chosen: O'Day first, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett
D. Woods
Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett is an American R&B singer, dancer, and actress. She is a former member of the girl group Danity Kane. Woods is the founder and CEO of Woodgrane Entertainment.-Early life:...
second, Shannon Bex
Shannon Bex
Shannon Rae Bex is a singer, professional dancer, anda former member of the musical group Danity Kane.The group was founded by P. Diddy through the MTV reality television series Making the Band 3. Danity Kane's debut album debuted at #1 on August 22, 2006, as did their second album Welcome to the...
third, Dawn Angeliqué Richard fourth, and Fimbres last. The final five members of the group in place, the third season of Making the Band 3 tracked the development and struggles of the new band — from then on known as "Danity Kane" (a name taken from a female anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
superhero created and drawn by Richard). The group would later be featured on the second and third seasons of Making the Band 4 with new male R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
group Day26
Day26
Day26 is an American male R&B music group formed on August 26, 2007 by Sean "Diddy" Combs in a handpicked selection at the end of MTV's Making the Band 4. The group consists of Robert Curry, Brian Andrews, Willie Taylor, and Michael McCluney. The moniker is a tribute to the day when Andrews,...
, as well as new solo artist Donnie Klang
Donnie Klang
Donald Joseph Klang, better known as Donnie Klang, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and model. He won Making the Band 4 and was awarded his own solo contract by Diddy. He released his debut album, Just a Rolling Stone in late 2008....
.
2006–2007: Danity Kane
After months of recording, the band's debut album Danity KaneDanity Kane (album)
Danity Kane is the self-titled debut album by American Pop/R&B group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy Records on August 22, 2006 in the United States and by Atlantic Records on November 11, 2006 in Germany and Switzerland....
was released to mixed reviews on August 22, 2006 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Produced by Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, Scott Storch
Scott Storch
Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox...
, Rodney Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
, Mario Winans
Mario Winans
Mario Winans is an American R&B singer, songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born Mario Brown, he is the son of gospel recording artist Vickie Winans and her first husband, Bishop Ronald Brown. He is also the stepson of his mother's second husband, gospel singer, Pastor Marvin...
and Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
among others, the album sold over 90,000 copies in the first day of release, and over 234,000 in the first week of release. It eventually debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
albums chart, knocking veteran Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's Back to Basics
Back to Basics (Christina Aguilera album)
Back to Basics is the third studio album by American recording artist Christina Aguilera, first released on August 10, 2006 by RCA Records...
from the top spot and out-selling hip-hop duo OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
. The album received a platinum certification from the RIAA in November 2006.
The album's lead single "Show Stopper
Show Stopper
"Show Stopper" is a R&B-dance-pop-snap song written by Angela Hunte, Krystal Oliver, Calvin Puckett, Frank Romano, and James Scheffer for Danity Kane's debut album Danity Kane . It features guest vocals by rapper Yung Joc and was produced by Jim Jonsin...
", produced by Jim Jonsin, was serviced to radio on August 4, 2006, and subsequently debuted at number 17 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Hot 100; it however peaked at number 8 on that particular chart. Outside the United States, the song became a top 30 success in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. The selection for the album's second single, Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan-Michael Cox is a GRAMMY award winning American songwriter and record producer.-History:Bryan-Michael Cox was born in Miami and grew up in Houston, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While in the eleventh grade he met and was mentored by Greg Curtis...
produced "Ride for You
Ride for You
"Ride for You" is an Pop/R&B ballad written by Bryan Michael Cox, Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean, and Adonis Stropshire for Danity Kane's debut album Danity Kane . Co-produced by Cox and Wyldcard, it was released as the album's second single in fall 2006 . The song peaked at number 78 on the U.S...
", was influenced by a fan poll that went around through e-mails, MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, and the group's official web site. The music video for the song premiered on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
on December 5, 2006, the same day the band released a holiday song called "Home for Christmas
Home for Christmas (Danity Kane song)
"Home for Christmas" is a Christmas song by the Bad Boy Records girl group Danity Kane. The song was written by group member Dawn Richard. This song was promoted at a few of their concerts. They recorded this song immediately after finishing their first self-titled album. By Christmas of 2006, the...
" which was written by group member Dawn Richard.
Between February 2007 to May 2007 Danity Kane performed as an opening act, along with the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
, on Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's Back To Basics Tour
Back to Basics Tour
The Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The tour supported her third studio album Back to Basics. It grossed over $90 million worldwide with 82 shows...
. In the meantime the band intensified work on their second album, which was initially scheduled for a late 2007 release, but eventually pushed back to 2008.
Rumors of disbandment
Ever since the creation of the group in 2005, Danity Kane was plagued by rumors of the group's demise. Such speculation existed due to the group's origin of being built from a reality show, their management, record label, and mentor.In summer 2007, during a hiatus between their first and second albums, speculation by fans and the media circled the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and entertainment news outlets concerning the possibility of Danity Kane splitting up. The rumors were fueled by quotes taken out of context (most notably when Aubrey O'Day
Aubrey O'Day
Aubrey Morgan O'Day is an American singer, actress, fashion designer, television personality, and former member of the girl group Danity Kane...
was questioned by TMZ
TMZ.com
TMZ.com is a celebrity news website that debuted on November 8, 2005. It was a collaboration between America Online and Telepictures Productions, a division of Warner Bros., until Time Warner divested AOL in 2009. However, it is still affiliated with AOL News and has the AOL News logo affixed in...
about her relationship to the successful pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
and their television show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is the first season of Pussycat Dolls Present: that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and took place over the course of eight weeks...
) and by work the group members had done outside of Danity Kane since the release of their debut album. D. Woods
D. Woods
Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett is an American R&B singer, dancer, and actress. She is a former member of the girl group Danity Kane. Woods is the founder and CEO of Woodgrane Entertainment.-Early life:...
's association with another girl group, The Girl's Club, was specifically cited as adding credibility to breakup rumors. Additionally, reports of solo careers and of new groups forming from various combinations of members of the group were rampant.
Over the course of these rumors, the members of Danity Kane often published personal online responses to the breakup speculation. It was not until July 25, 2007 that Danity Kane released an official statement on their group MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page stating that they were still together and working on their second album
2007–2008: Welcome to the Dollhouse
While making several solo appearances on other artists' albums during fall 2007, Danity Kane was featured on the second season of the fourth iteration of Making the Band which debuted January 28, 2008 on MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, where solo singer Donnie Klang
Donnie Klang
Donald Joseph Klang, better known as Donnie Klang, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and model. He won Making the Band 4 and was awarded his own solo contract by Diddy. He released his debut album, Just a Rolling Stone in late 2008....
, Day26
Day26
Day26 is an American male R&B music group formed on August 26, 2007 by Sean "Diddy" Combs in a handpicked selection at the end of MTV's Making the Band 4. The group consists of Robert Curry, Brian Andrews, Willie Taylor, and Michael McCluney. The moniker is a tribute to the day when Andrews,...
, and the girls, lived and recorded their albums together.
"Damaged
Damaged (Danity Kane song)
"Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith...
", the band's poll-voted lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
off their second album Welcome to the Dollhouse
Welcome to the Dollhouse (album)
Welcome to the Dollhouse is the second and final studio album by American R&B/pop group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy and Atlantic Records on March 18, 2008 in the United States and March 25, 2008 in Canada...
, was officially released as a digital single on January 29, 2008, and became the band's second top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
had been nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for "Best Pop Video" and "Best Dancing in a Video" but lost to Piece of Me
Piece of Me
"Piece of Me" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears from her fifth studio album, Blackout. It was released on November 27, 2007 by Jive Records as the second single from the album...
by Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
and When I Grow Up
When I Grow Up (Pussycat Dolls song)
"When I Grow Up" is a song by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, from their second studio album, Doll Domination . It was released on May 27, 2008 as the lead single from the album, and the first following the departure of the group's longest-standing member Carmit Bachar...
by the Pussycat Dolls respectively. Welcome to the Dollhouse, was eventually released on March 18, 2008 in the United States, where it debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, with first week sales of 236,000 copies (2,000 units more than their self-titled debut album
Danity Kane (album)
Danity Kane is the self-titled debut album by American Pop/R&B group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy Records on August 22, 2006 in the United States and by Atlantic Records on November 11, 2006 in Germany and Switzerland....
). The album eventually received a gold certification from the RIAA in April 2008. On September 28, 2008, the album had sold a total of 546,790 copies. In a May 2008 interview with Kiwibox.com, Danity Kane revealed that the follow-up single to "Damaged
Damaged (Danity Kane song)
"Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith...
" would be "Bad Girl
Bad Girl (Danity Kane song)
"Bad Girl" is a dance-pop track recorded by American girl group Danity Kane. This song was penned by Mary Brown, Jim Beanz, Devin "DLP" Parker, Danja and Missy Elliott. Produced by Danja and featuring guest vocals by Elliott, it is not only the second and final single from the band's second studio...
".
On the second season finale of Making the Band 4, it was announced that Danity Kane would be headlining a tour in 2008 and be featured on the next season of Making the Band, as Diddy stated himself. The third season of Making the Band 4 premiered on MTV August 19, 2008. Around a week later, the girls were featured in an interview with Z100
WHTZ
WHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
at the Beatstock Dance Festival. They said they were planning to release another single after "Bad Girl". This was before the departure of O'Day and Woods.
Departures of Aubrey O'Day and D. Woods
After Making the Band 4 - The Tour and the release of the first single DamagedDamaged (Danity Kane song)
"Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith...
, Danity Kane once again encountered rumors of a breakup. Largely spurred by scenes from the Making the Band series featuring their mentor Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
sparring with O'Day over her dance performance and desire to create her own image separate from the group. On the August 28, 2008 episode of Making the Band, due to being consistently frustrated with the "oversexed" image he felt O'Day now showcased, Combs called O'Day "one of the worst dancers" in Danity Kane, when she used to be "one of the best". He told O'Day that she no longer looked like the girl he signed. Combs bluntly accused O'Day of trying to expand her fame at the expense of the entire group, and that she liked flaunting her breasts and wearing big hair. O'Day had boasted about her cleavage to former World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) guru and current SunSport broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
television producer/host Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is an American entertainment producer, best known for his career in professional wrestling as a promoter, manager, commentator and journalist. He is also an occasional actor in film....
of The Heyman Hustle in order to validate her breasts as natural. In a controversial act, she rubbed her cleavage on Heyman's arm. Furious, Combs asked himself on television why he was keeping O'Day in the group. With O'Day forgoing promotional appearances with the group to appear as Amber Von Tussle on Broadway's Hairspray
Hairspray (musical)
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
, speculation arose that O'Day's role in the group had been marginalized. On September 7, 2008, however, the group appeared together at the MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
to help present the Best New Artist Award.
Separately, tension also seemed to be developing within the group due to rumors that Richard would perhaps be groomed to launch her own solo career with Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
. Rumors had been circulating that Richard was flown from Baltimore to New York for private meetings with Combs to launch her own solo career, especially after recording three tracks for Combs, which were purported to be Danity Kane tracks but only featured Richard's vocals; these vocals were leaked on the Internet. Combs went as far as to introduce Richard in a solo performance in early September. An Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
spokesperson responded, "At no point was [Richard] flown anywhere to record solo or meet alone with [Combs]. The girls are still very much together. They're going out to the Video Music Awards together ... and they're promoting their album ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse' and working on their third."
On the October 7, 2008 episode of Making the Band, Combs stated that he did have Richard on three demos for his new album. On the same episode of the show, after continued debate with O'Day about the well-being of Danity Kane, he stated that O'Day was no longer in the group, as had been foreshadowed in an earlier episode within the season after a TRL
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
(Total Request Live) appearance. Combs was unaware of the specific problems within the group, but sensed that O'Day and Aundrea Fimbres
Aundrea Fimbres
Aundrea Aurora Fimbres is an American singer and dancer. Fimbres is a former member of the pop music group Danity Kane, from 2005 to 2009...
, who were originally close friends, had drastically drifted apart. O'Day and Richard informed Combs that the entire group had trust issues with management and ultimately each other. The season finale, which took place Tuesday, October 14, 2008, confirmed the departure of O'Day and Woods. Combs removed Woods due to feeling that she was unhappy with the group and that she had gotten "caught up in the wrath" of close friend O'Day. In the live section of the episode, Combs explained that the reason he let O'Day go was that she was not the same person he signed, that the fame had changed her (as had been expressed on the August 28, 2008 episode). "I got love for Aubrey," he said. "I don't have any beef with her. I just want to work with the young lady that I signed, not the person that fame has made her." He later stated that he would be open to working with Woods again. When O'Day came on to reply, just moments after deciding not to leave the studio, she first addressed the perception some people, especially blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
gers, have of her. "I would rather be hated every damn day of my life for being real than loved for being something I'm not," she stated. Combs, who spoke to the group and the audience via satellite, relayed to O'Day, "Check this out, baby girl... See, your attitude is gonna have you in a dark and lonely place. ... What you need to do, at the end of the day, is humble yourself." Woods did not appear on the live episode due to prior obligations.
In a backstage interview before the finale, O'Day said, "Tonight is a representation of the end of a chapter in my life; it's not the end of the book." She added, "I will do everything possible to make my mark on this industry, and Danity Kane and [Combs] provided me with this amazing opportunity to go out and really touch people's hearts. I think the way that we were able to inspire people was something that I will never be able to achieve in that way again in my life."
MTV News
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
reached out to a rep for Danity Kane to see where the future of the band stood now that [O'Day and Woods] were no longer in the group. It was reported that Woods planned to work with another group, the Girls Club, and that O'Day was working on a solo album.
In an October 15, 2008 interview with Us Weekly
Us Weekly
Us Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
, Richard gave further insight into O'Day's dismissal from Danity Kane. "[Combs] did not like [O'Day's] image...where her image was going for the group," she said. "It wasn't a personal thing." Richard explained that O'Day's increasingly "sexy look" was alienating young fans. Referring specifically to O'Day's topless pictures for Complex magazine just a month before, Richard stated, "We had just did a signing with Dollhouse Teen, which is for 13, 14-year-old young girls... So we can't do that one day and then the next day do an obnoxious cover.... [Combs] wants the fans, and he says he can't do that if we can continue to go in the direction that we were going." Richard further relayed, "[Combs] told me specifically that [O'Day] is no longer in Danity Kane and Danity Kane will move forward without her." When asked if Combs would seek "replacements" for O'Day and Woods, Richard stated, "He has not said anything per that. But I think in my heart that he is gonna do another show."
MTV News gauged fan reactions to the dismissals of O'Day and Woods. Fans left impassioned, long and detailed comments on the MTV News site about their discontent regarding the decision to remove the two singers, and relayed that the remaining members were using the breakup to "score" publicity. Richard, in particular, received resentment from fans. Other fans were more upset about the breakup in general, with the sentiment that Danity Kane would lack the individuality (je ne sais quoi) and excitement that O'Day and Woods brought to the group. Despite, however, the dismissals of O'Day and Woods, other sections of the fandom were willing to give the "new Danity Kane" a chance and believed that the group would be as strong as they were before.
2008–2009: Disbandment
In mid 2008, before the departure of O'Day and Woods, Danity Kane planned to start pre-production for their third studio album, which would have begun January 2009. In the meantime, Danity Kane released a line of denim jeans through Dollhouse. Under Russell SimmonsRussell Simmons
-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...
Plastic Cash International, the decision was made to feature Danity Kane's image on Visa debit cards. The group had also been a part of a new ad campaign for PETA
Peta
Peta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Collectively, as a group, there were plans for a fragrance, clothing and makeup line. Richard had developed a comic book based on the superhero the group based its name on, which was intended for release sometime in 2009.
However, in a January 28, 2009 interview with MTV News, Richard announced that the group had split up. Richard explained that Combs had invited all the women to come back on the 2009 season of Making the Band and that only two of them showed up. "It changes [our situation] completely," she said. "We have fans out there who love Danity Kane. We love Danity Kane. It's hard. We're sitting here trying to make sense of it now. It's hard. We're put in this position that we didn't ask to be in and we're being told to fix it."
The two members willing to continue within the group were Richard and Fimbres. Shannon Bex
Shannon Bex
Shannon Rae Bex is a singer, professional dancer, anda former member of the musical group Danity Kane.The group was founded by P. Diddy through the MTV reality television series Making the Band 3. Danity Kane's debut album debuted at #1 on August 22, 2006, as did their second album Welcome to the...
did not show up. On the series and in an earlier interview, she had explicitly stated her discontent about Danity Kane being divided. "I don't know why [Bex left]," said Richard. "I think she's just happy. I don't want to even try to answer it 'cause that's not fair to her. I haven't [spoken to her] but I heard she's doing well with her husband and she got a house. I love her, but I don't know." Richard was surprised that only two members showed up for another season. "The thing about it ... I thought we were all going to come back and talk, or maybe if [O'Day] didn't come back, 'cause I don't know how [Combs] was feeling about that, if the four of us got together. I didn't know what to expect. I just know I got off the plane and found out I was the only one there and [Fimbres] came the next day."
Still in disbelief over the departures of O'Day and Woods, as well as the speculation about O'Day's sexuality and her forthcoming Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
spread, Richard stated, "I'm still surprised at it all. I'm still trying to recover from the first fire. So I'm still confused. I still don't know. I'm just being so honest. I have no idea."
On February 25, 2009, O'Day told MTV News that she was not sure if Woods had been asked back for the new season of Making the Band, as far as she knew, but that she herself was not asked to return. "Well, I was fired and we all saw that," she said. "I'm not sure about the other girls — who was invited back or what they were asked to do — but I obviously wouldn't be invited back if I was fired."
O'Day conveyed her hope that fans continue to honor the group that "made her a star". "Danity Kane was a wonderful group, and like all things, nothing is forever," she said. "We had a great run and we were very successful. We may not have that answer for our fans, which is disappointing, but we did try, and that's more than a lot of people." O'Day said that though she is pursuing her own career as a solo artist, she would never turn down the chance to get onstage with her former bandmates. "I have so much respect for that situation, if there was ever interest in me coming back ... and making music with the girls, I would never say no to something like that," she said. "In regards to the other negativity, I really just chose not to comment," said O'Day. "I wrote a blog on my MySpace page, and if anyone wants to know how I feel, they can go there." O'Day later seemed to have more of a positive feeling about the whole situation. She stated, "After being kicked out, I learned you have to fight to stay happy, and that takes forgiveness of yourself."
Viewers were able to see the band's continued demise on the third season of Making the Band 4, which premiered on February 12, 2009. During the February 26, 2009 episode, as well as the continued season, viewers saw Richard and Fimbres eager to continue being a group together and hoping to work with Bex again. This eagerness eventually ended in the April 16, 2009 airing. Within the first five minutes of the episode, Combs told Richard and Fimbres during a meeting that he released O'Day and Woods, along with Bex, from their contracts, and would be releasing Fimbres as well. He told Richard that she will remain on the label and that if there are any future plans for a new Danity Kane, she would be the only returning member.
On April 23, 2009, viewers were expecting to see all five members of Danity Kane for the second part of the finale to find out if Danity Kane would without a doubt be removed from the Bad Boy label or if they would have a "fresh start" as Combs stated in the first part of the finale. During the finale, Fimbres did not show up. Bex explained that Fimbres did not show up because Fimbres "had been through enough" emotional turmoil with the group and wanted to stay home with family. As for herself not showing up for the 2009 season of Making the Band, Bex said that it was a "personal choice" and was nothing against the fans. Woods said that part of the reason for the group's demise was due to not having a "sound foundation" when it began (five strangers being put together and expected to be emotionally close) and that eventually led to professional and personal problems with the group. O'Day said she has forgiven being released from the group, and people who blamed her for the group's breakup. When asked if Danity Kane could be a group again, O'Day said yes. Woods and Bex said not at this time. Combs said that they need a "time out" for now, particularly to work on their solo or alternative careers, and that he will not reunite Danity Kane unless the group consists of all five original members.
On April 30, 2009, a special titled "The Rise and Fall of Danity Kane" aired on MTV. The special was an in-depth story showcasing how the group came together and broke apart. It reasoned that the breakup of friendships and new friendships built in place of old friendships (O'Day and Fimbres becoming distant; O'Day bonding more with Woods and Fimbres bonding more with Bex), as well as insecurity issues of each member, were contributing factors for the group's demise. In addition, everyone except for Bex was speculated as having been a part of the blame.
Headlining
- 2006: Jingle Ball Tour
- 2008: Making the Band 4 - The Tour
Supporting act
- 2005: The Never Gone TourThe Never Gone TourThe Backstreet Boys' Never Gone Tour was a 2005 concert tour which featured all the songs from their fifth studio album, Never Gone, and all of the songs from their 2001 greatest hits release, The Hits: Chapter One....
- 2006: Monkey Business TourMonkey Business TourThe Monkey Business Tour was the debut concert tour by American hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas, in support of their fourth studio album Monkey Business . The concert on October 3, 2005 at the Sydney SuperDome was filmed for the official DVD release Live from Sydney to Vegas.-Tour dates:...
- 2006-2007: Back to Basics TourBack to Basics TourThe Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The tour supported her third studio album Back to Basics. It grossed over $90 million worldwide with 82 shows...
Albums
- 2006: Danity KaneDanity Kane (album)Danity Kane is the self-titled debut album by American Pop/R&B group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy Records on August 22, 2006 in the United States and by Atlantic Records on November 11, 2006 in Germany and Switzerland....
- 2008: Welcome to the DollhouseWelcome to the Dollhouse (album)Welcome to the Dollhouse is the second and final studio album by American R&B/pop group Danity Kane, released by Bad Boy and Atlantic Records on March 18, 2008 in the United States and March 25, 2008 in Canada...
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Urban Music Award Urban Music Awards The Urban Music Awards is a HipHop, R&B, Dance and soul music awards ceremony launched in 2003 and now held in six countries annually.The awards ceremony is held annually by Invincible Media Group. The UMA's is now held in 6 countries annually... Won for "Best Group - Female" |
| 2007 | Poptastic Award Nominated for "Best Ringtone (for "Showstopper")" |
| 2007 | Soul Train Music Award Soul Train Music Awards The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment... Nominated for "Best R&B/ Album Group, Band or Duo" |
| 2008 | BET Award BET Awards The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET... Nominated for "Best Group" |
| 2008 | Teen Choice Award Teen Choice Awards The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with... Nominated "Best R&B Track for "Damaged" |
| 2008 | MTV Video Music Award MTV Video Music Awards An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos... Nominated "Best Pop Video MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video The MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video was first given out in , as MTV began to put several teen pop acts in heavy rotation. Nominations, however, were not just limited to pop acts, as dance, R&B, pop/rock, and, most recently, reggaeton artists have also received Best Pop Video nominations... " for "Damaged" |
| 2008 | MTV Video Music Award MTV Video Music Awards An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos... Nominated Best Dancing in a Video for "Damaged" |
| 2008 | Starshine Magazine Nomination for Best Dance Song for "Damaged Damaged (Danity Kane song) "Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith... " |
| 2008 | Starshine Magazine Nomination for "Best R&B / Hip-Hop Song for "Damaged Damaged (Danity Kane song) "Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith... " |
| 2008 | Starshine Magazine Nomination for "Favorite Group / Band" |
| 2008 | Online Hip Hop Awards Won for "Breakout Girl Group Of The Year(R&B)" |
| 2008 | Online Hip Hop Awards Won for "Album of the Year (R&B)" |
| 2008 | Online Hip Hop Awards Won for "Off the Hook Award (R&B)" for "Damaged Damaged (Danity Kane song) "Damaged" is a dance-pop song by American R&B group Danity Kane. It was written by Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans, Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, and James Smith... " |
| 2009 | Guinness World Records Guinness World Records Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world... 2009 "First female group in Billboard history to debut their first two albums at the top of the charts." |