R&B singer Normani Corde Hamilton was poised for global domination—a performer with the vocal talent and dance ability often compared to Beyoncé. Yet, her solo career took an unexpected and challenging path. Her journey from Fifth Harmony member to solo artist has been a relentless battle against racist attacks, devastating family health crises, and the pressure of industry politics.

The Fifth Harmony Nightmare and Racism

Normani’s career began when she was grouped into Fifth Harmony on The X Factor. However, success came with a heavy price. Following a moment of hesitation when asked to compliment bandmate Camila Cabello in a 2016 interview, Normani was targeted by a vicious campaign of racist abuse.

The attacks turned hateful, with fans using racial slurs and creating degrading images.
Critically, Camila Cabello failed to defend her Black bandmate, instead posting vague, non-committal messages. This silence was later contextualized when old tweets surfaced showing Camila using racial slurs herself.
During her time in the group, Normani has stated she felt she had to work twice as hard just to be seen, often pushed to the back or given fewer vocal opportunities.

Personal Crisis Derails Solo Momentum

After Fifth Harmony’s indefinite hiatus, Normani launched her solo career with massive success, including the hits “Love Lies” and the platinum-selling anthem “Motivation.” Expectations for her debut album were sky-high, but just as her momentum peaked, her personal world crumbled.

Double Cancer Diagnosis: In 2019, Normani’s mother, Andrea, was rediagnosed with breast cancer after 19 years in remission. Not long after, her father was also diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Prioritizing Family: Dealing with both parents battling cancer simultaneously made focusing on music impossible. Normani put her career on hold to be present for her family, causing years of delays for her anticipated album.

The Dopamine Disappointment

Finally, in June 2024, Normani released her debut album, Dopamine, after teasing the project for years. While critics offered positive reviews, praising her vocals and the album’s sound, the commercial results were shocking.

The album peaked at just Number 91 on the Billboard 200, selling only 12,000 equivalent units in its first week.
Fans noted that the promotion and rollout were confusing and minimal, leading to a commercial flop that was incongruent with the artist’s talent level.

A New Chapter and Triumph

Despite the professional setbacks, Normani’s personal life flourished. In 2024, she became engaged to NFL star DK Metcalf in a romantic surprise setup. The engagement provided a moment of pure happiness after years of intense struggle.

Looking ahead, Normani is diversifying her career. She recently made her acting debut in the film Freaky Tales and has confirmed she is already working on a new body of music, with an album expected in 2025. Additionally, rumors of a Fifth Harmony reunion tour—crucially, without Camila Cabello—are gaining traction, proving that the determined performer is far from finished.