I’ve thought about a million ways that I could possibly explain the depth that your influence has on millions of women around the world. The words seem to fail me, just because your lives, your words, even your music, in its complexity seem to just take over an entire generation of women who are crying out for just a glimpse of confidence. A shred of whatever emotions your presence seems to ensue in us.

All five of you, in the most equal terms, have the ability to move mountains and bring forward a new era of independent, strong and beautiful women. For those of us who have only ever dreamed about a life in the lime light, you provide us with a taste of the realities of it all. Through your actions, you display how unbelievably grateful you are that you’ve had this opportunity, but you also normalize the experience for you fans. Always being true to yourselves and letting us know how sometimes it is so easy to fall in love with the illusion of fame without thinking about the situations that surround it and affect the human mind. I may not be able to completely understand what it is that you go through every day, but I see how much it takes out of all of you. I see how hard it is to be away from your families for so long, for you to have limited privacy, for you to get trampled because everyone wants to get close to you, for the fear that your every move is scrutinized and analyzed. So, I thank all of you for going through this process, for putting yourselves out there, for being a beacon of hope.

It would be naïve of me to make any assumptions about your characters, especially since I’ve never personally met you. To be honest, I’ve only been able to see you perform live once in my life, at Jingle Bash in Illinois a few days ago. But in that moment, right before you walked out on stage, I didn’t see Fifth Harmony. I saw Ally, Normani, Camila, Dinah and Lauren. Five women of different backgrounds, who have worked tirelessly to achieve one thing, which is to touch people with their music. Something which you have excelled at in the most beautiful way.

It’s so hard in today’s society to positively support and promote a group of women without the media’s natural affinity of making them seem problematic with each other. Yes, we are women. Yes, there will always be problems amongst a group of peers… but they can’t be attributed to the fact that we have XX in our genes, or in other people’s cases, if they identify as such. It must be so hard to work every day against a combative media, just waiting to pounce on an opportunity where you guys to show any glimpse of humanity.

We know, deep down, that behind the amazing outfits and glamorous tour life, that you’re just 5 normal women, who just so happen to have these chosen careers. If you’re anything like your fans, which I suspect you are, you go through the same things we do. You sometimes feel insecure with your bodies, you have moments of self-doubt and get emotionally overwhelmed. The only difference between yourselves and us is that your careers put you in front of the entire world, in some sort of weird display for all to see. If there is anything that I hope is that, behind every single one of you, there is a solid group of people to catch you and support you when you’re feeling like the world is crashing all around you. I hope you all find comfort in knowing that we, your fans, will always be here with open arms. We will support you, no matter your actions, no matter your struggles. We are here because we believe in your genuine selves.

Ally-

Whenever I look at you I have this feeling that you have been blessed with an abundance of love and inspiration. You work so hard to make sure that you are happy with yourself and the path you want to be on. You do an amazing job at maintaining an inner peace and devotion to God that brings a huge comfort to us. You are the embodiment of what every girl in the world wants to feel about herself and others.

Normani-

It’s crazy to think that you have been in this life for so long. I remember watching airline commercials and modeling skits that you did when you were younger and thinking: “Wow, all this time and she still handles herself so gracefully.” What I think that stands out about you, other than your amazing voice, is the way that you let all your cares and frustrations out with your dancing. We can tell because of how your body will go the extra mile with every move, and how you can say so much without opening your mouth. You don’t just sing music, you feel it, you experience it with your whole being.

Dinah-

The first word that comes to mind has always been: carefree. In the way that it always seems like you take life as it is and just enjoy the moment. You’ve always had the strongest connection with the crowd, purely because you feed off of our energy and give it back to us ten times over. Not only do you get lost in your music, but we have enjoyed watching you grow into your family in ways that we never expected. We can clearly see the genuine care you have for them, sometimes the same unity we wish we had with our own. You inspire us to take the time and enjoy those who have been behind us. Thank you for sharing that part of yourself, and letting us be a part of it.

Camila-

I have never seen music transform someone so completely when they are on stage. You really make music seem like an entirely different language that only you can speak. We see how it completely embodies you while you’re on stage and how it serves as a comfort to express yourself clearly. The way you get lost in your music every single night is ethereal. You have a beautiful determination inside of you to make every song you write just burst with passion, and I hope you know that we feel it.

Lauren-

I am so inspired by your unwavering courage to speak out against injustices. Every single day, you find a way to use your power in a way that will influence people positively. I find it mesmerizing that, even with your hectic schedule, you find the time to educate yourself and spread the idea that knowledge and healthy curiosity is what can drive us to achieve a better world for all. You really are a force to be reckoned with, and I can’t wait to see how you continue to embrace how your voice can make a long-lasting impact on society. You’re a natural born leader, Lauren. I truly believe you were put on this Earth to change the minds and hearts of everyone you encounter.

And that’s all I have to say. On behalf of all of your fans, I hope I have done our voice justice. My only goal being to express some fraction of what your fans feel that Fifth Harmony stands for. Once again, Thank you and we love you.

Stephanie Tirado

College Student/ Fiancée/ Harmonizer