When we began our coverage of AYTO Season 4 on Memorial Day weekend, we mentioned to you about the musical side of some of these singles. There's Prosper making a name for himself in the hip hop world, and him collaborating with Tori after their trip into the truth booth. There's also him getting to know Mac Miller before he became famous, and her talking to other music luminaries which we'll touch on here soon. And just recently Asaf dropped a music video, and Gio made an ode to the girl that won his heart but ultimately got heartbroken in Kaylen.
DCBLOG's uniqueness is to provide a look at the people of the MTV Trifecta in a way you likely won't find anywhere else, and in this instance, an important part of the person we are profiling isn't even mentioned one bit in their MTV bio. As we have commenced the season's second half, which we will look at Episode 6 later today, there's one castmate who's already become well-known for her musical prowess. And, this season happens to be her reality TV return after being part of a show that introduced us to the girl group of the moment and one of the biggest acts in music right now.
In the time the ecosystem of the Real World/Challenge franchise, Are You The One? and the erstwhile Road Rules have been around, there are a handful of castmates who, prior to gracing the MTV screens, were on other reality shows - an industry trend. Back in May, we took a look at where three Trifecta veterans - Brittany & Scali of the first AYTO season and Nia of Real World Portland - first made their reality TV debuts on a short lived celebrity dating show before the words "truth booth" became part of the lexicon. Jonna was on Discovery's Endurance before she went to Real World Cancun and will, as of next weekend, become a new mom. And just last summer before he became the ladies man and funny guy of this house, we saw Asaf on So You Think You Can Dance.
For Francesca of AYTO Season 4, it's The X Factor where we previously saw her on the first season of that show back in fall 2011. She started there, like everyone else, auditioning solo at the very beginning of the long road that the Directioners and Harmonizers took to the top of the music world. But in something unique to that show, the judges not only critique the contestants' performances, they also help mentor the singers in particular categories in helping them choose songs and styles.
● DRAKE ft. RIHANNA: "Take Care"
● BRUNO MARS - "When I Was Your Man"
● RIHANNA - "Work"
This week, she was part of the latest big moment to go down at the place where million dollar dreams can live or die by 10 beams - and it won't be the last. On this edition of DC ExtraTime, we to beyond the the fight for love and money and into how it all began for one of them as we look at the music of Are You The One's Francesca Duncan.
In the time the ecosystem of the Real World/Challenge franchise, Are You The One? and the erstwhile Road Rules have been around, there are a handful of castmates who, prior to gracing the MTV screens, were on other reality shows - an industry trend. Back in May, we took a look at where three Trifecta veterans - Brittany & Scali of the first AYTO season and Nia of Real World Portland - first made their reality TV debuts on a short lived celebrity dating show before the words "truth booth" became part of the lexicon. Jonna was on Discovery's Endurance before she went to Real World Cancun and will, as of next weekend, become a new mom. And just last summer before he became the ladies man and funny guy of this house, we saw Asaf on So You Think You Can Dance.
Just a few short years ago, the buzz word in this TV genre was music, as there were three singing competition shows on network television: longtime ratings juggernaut American Idol, current top-rated series The Voice, and an American version of Britain's most-popular program, The X Factor. There across the pond, the show - created by that icon of talent showcases Simon Cowell - has been the launching pad to the careers of One Direction, ZAYN, Leona Lewis, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Cher Lloyd and Ella Henderson. The U.S. version only lasted three seasons on FOX, but like its U.K. counterpart also produced some notable alumni: pop rockers Emblem 3, Season 1 runner-up Chris Rene, late G.R.L. member Simone Battle, and pop duo and Season 3 winners Alex & Sierra. And of course, the phenomenon that is Fifth Harmony all started on Season 3 and like 1D, the girls have become household names around the world.
For Francesca of AYTO Season 4, it's The X Factor where we previously saw her on the first season of that show back in fall 2011. She started there, like everyone else, auditioning solo at the very beginning of the long road that the Directioners and Harmonizers took to the top of the music world. But in something unique to that show, the judges not only critique the contestants' performances, they also help mentor the singers in particular categories in helping them choose songs and styles.
At her audition in front of a live arena and straight out of high school, Francesca performed "Hero" by Mariah Carey, and the judges - Simon, longtime Idol cohort Paula Abdul, music mogul L.A. Reid and British pop star Cole - all gave their approval as she advanced on to the next phase of the competition, much to the delight we all see on the singers' faces when they get chosen.
When she made it to L.A., the then 17 year-old Fran and nine others originally thought that their run would end at the boot camp stage after they all auditioned solo. But in a similar fate that Devin & Cheyenne just went through on Rivals III, these youngsters were too good for the judges to let go, and were all afforded a second chance to perform... all as a super group.
Francesca remembered, "When we got called back on stage, it was like it was the most amazing feeling ever, just being to get another chance to live our dream, and it was just amazing." For this mega-group of ten teenagers, they were given the name "InTENsity," and though they were from all over the country and being put together just days after they got this news of redemption, they formed a strong bond, just like any other cast in the reality TV world.
Performing on X-Factor affords the chance for music wannabes to head to the houses of the mentors and judges, and for InTENsity, not only did they perform in front of Paula, but also there to see them was a musical phenomenon in himself, Pharrell Williams.
When it came down to their Top 16 verdict, Paula told the group, "When I saw your performance, I saw ten personalities, ten different talents. How do you all make it work and blend? Can you do it? That's what I am struggling with. I'm going to make you one of my four groups." There's nothing like the joy of being chosen to go onto the live portion of a music competition show and their reaction was like any, and as a group, they did one thing: a group hug. And Francesca reacted, "I just want it so badly."
So, they advanced to the Top 12 and to the business portion of that first X-Factor season: performing on the live shows. Below are their three performances: the theme to "Footloose," a medley of "Kids in America" and LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," and Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You."
In week 2, InTENsity was in the bottom two and after performing that third song with the hope they would progress further into the season, they were eliminated. Eventually, the group would go their separate ways though they all do keep in touch. And three members of the group - Arin Ray, Ellona Santiago and Austin Percario - would all go on to audition again on later seasons of X Factor and Idol, with the first one also happen to being a past boyfriend of Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei.
In her first video after their elimination, Francesca thanked the group's fans - the InTENsifiers as they were called - for their support and also gave the story about how she started her musical journey: "I just wanted to thank everybody for being so supportive. Everyday we still look at our mentions and you guys are still so supportive. So, thank you so much. My X-Factor journey started in a bathroom where I made a YouTube video, and I submitted it to X-Factor and that's how it all started. So, it's crazy. I never expected (this). They called me up and told me they wanted me on the show. So, I was like, 'Wow.' You guys can do anything you can set your mind to. I know it's hard to believe sometimes."
This girl of mixed Filipino and African-American descent would return to normalcy in Orange County, NY in the Hudson Valley north of the City, going to The College at Bridgeport as a freshman, where she was cheered on by her family, friends and classmates. Yet, her musical desire and passion has remained, even with recent struggles in her dating life has seen her reemerge on our TV's and on this Are You The One? season.
Shortly after InTENsity's elimination from X-Factor, Francesca responded to fan requests on Twitter and, as a Thanksgiving treat, began doing YouTube covers of popular chart hits to her followers. As this AYTO season is airing, to date there have been over 2.4 million views of her videos, from Drake and Rihanna and Jason Derulo, to Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera and Bruno Mars, to name a few.
We've embedded below a small sampling of her covers and chances are, if there's a pop song that you love it's likely Francesca has done of those on what she calls "Francesca Fridays," as she always posts these videos on Fridays on her YouTube channel.
● DRAKE ft. RIHANNA: "Take Care"
● BRUNO MARS - "When I Was Your Man"
● RIHANNA - "Work"
● CHRISTINA AGUILERA - "Hurt"
● JASON DeRULO - "It Girl"
● JASON DeRULO - "It Girl"
● RON POPE - "A Drop in the Ocean"
Finally, your musical palette wouldn't be complete without doing what every other musician does: write, compose and perform an original song. In May 2014, Francesca released "No Shame," for which the accompanying video saw her get teased as that nerd in school and finding difficulty trying to fit in with the cool kids, and then coming to school as the famous one - a nod to her stint on X-Factor.
Finally, your musical palette wouldn't be complete without doing what every other musician does: write, compose and perform an original song. In May 2014, Francesca released "No Shame," for which the accompanying video saw her get teased as that nerd in school and finding difficulty trying to fit in with the cool kids, and then coming to school as the famous one - a nod to her stint on X-Factor.
So far this season, Francesca has been part of the drama in being one of the girls in the house who's felt Asaf's charm and potential to give heartbreak to whoever he hooks up with. It's brought about a side of her that, of course, we didn't get to see that first time out on our national airwaves five years ago when the focus was on the music.
Regardless of whether the house has that payday that awaits them should they go 10 for 10 at summer's end, Francesca has already scored with her talent. Five years ago as a teenager, she was given a second chance to prove what she's made of, and made the most of it with nine new friends. Fran's translated that musical passion and experience on X-Factor into being a YouTube favorite and when the buzz for this season subsides, outside of those who plan to head into Challenge world she looks likely to have the biggest staying power in letting her music take precedent. Who knows... She could be the next one in music.
Next week, as our coverage of Rivals III concludes with the final challenge in Argentina, DCBLOG will present the story of the man who could win his unprecedented sixth Challenge, and the bond he has with an extraordinary girl who has overcome the odds to become one of his biggest fans and an inspiration to many - all in the spirit of one of MTV's greatest icons. Don't miss our look at the bond between Johnny Bananas and cancer survivor Kasey Harvey, on ExtraTime next week.
Later, we'll have a doubleheader of our usual DC SocialPulse social episode diaries as Francesca finds herself part of the drama in Hawaii as Are You The One? begins to get serious, and the final three begin their journey towards the cash on Rivals III. Also this weekend, a trip to the Strategy Room to look at the final, results of our first-ever Twitter polls, and all else too. Be sure to share these links with your fellow fans, and as always follow @DC408Dxtr on my social platforms.
Thank you for reading and be sure to rejoin us later today when our coverage of the MTV Trifecta continues on DCBLOG. See you soon.
- I AM DC
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Next week, as our coverage of Rivals III concludes with the final challenge in Argentina, DCBLOG will present the story of the man who could win his unprecedented sixth Challenge, and the bond he has with an extraordinary girl who has overcome the odds to become one of his biggest fans and an inspiration to many - all in the spirit of one of MTV's greatest icons. Don't miss our look at the bond between Johnny Bananas and cancer survivor Kasey Harvey, on ExtraTime next week.
Later, we'll have a doubleheader of our usual DC SocialPulse social episode diaries as Francesca finds herself part of the drama in Hawaii as Are You The One? begins to get serious, and the final three begin their journey towards the cash on Rivals III. Also this weekend, a trip to the Strategy Room to look at the final, results of our first-ever Twitter polls, and all else too. Be sure to share these links with your fellow fans, and as always follow @DC408Dxtr on my social platforms.
Thank you for reading and be sure to rejoin us later today when our coverage of the MTV Trifecta continues on DCBLOG. See you soon.
- I AM DC
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