Lauren Jauregui has built a career that extends well beyond her years as a member of Fifth Harmony. The Miami-born Cuban-American singer and songwriter first became widely known through the group before developing an increasingly personal identity as a solo artist. Her music, collaborations, independent releases and television appearances have given fans several different ways to follow her creative evolution.
From her early success in Fifth Harmony to projects such as PRELUDE and In Between, Lauren Jauregui has gradually taken greater control of her artistic direction. Her appearance on Dancing with the Stars also introduced her to audiences in a different setting.
Lauren Jauregui and Fifth Harmony
Lauren Jauregui became part of Fifth Harmony after competing on The X Factor in 2012. The group went on to become one of the most commercially successful girl groups of its era, releasing songs including “Work From Home,” “Worth It” and “Down.”
The Recording Academy reported that Fifth Harmony announced an indefinite hiatus in March 2018 so its members could pursue individual projects and grow creatively as solo artists.
Before the hiatus, Jauregui had already begun exploring music outside the group. Her collaborations included “Back to Me” with Marian Hill and “All Night” with Steve Aoki. Those early releases provided a preview of the direction she would eventually explore on her own.
Her time in Fifth Harmony also gave her experience with songwriting and creative decision-making. In a 2017 Recording Academy interview, the group discussed having greater involvement in writing and production for its self-titled album.
Lauren Jauregui’s Solo Music Career
After Fifth Harmony’s hiatus, Jauregui continued developing a sound that was more personal and less tied to the expectations of a pop group.
Her official biography identifies “Expectations” as her debut solo single. The song was released in 2018 and has surpassed 100 million streams, according to her official site. She also released “Lento,” featuring producer Tainy, and contributed “Invisible Chains” to Birds of Prey: The Album.
Rather than limiting herself to one musical style, Jauregui has used her solo work to explore songwriting, emotional themes and different production approaches. Her collaborations with artists such as Halsey and Steve Aoki further demonstrate the range of her work.
Her independent career became an especially important part of that evolution. After leaving Columbia Records, she established Attunement Records and entered a distribution arrangement with AWAL. Her official biography describes this period as a move toward greater creative control and ownership.
A Look at Her Major Solo Releases
| Release or project | Period | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| “Expectations” | 2018 | Her first official solo single |
| PRELUDE | 2021 | Independent debut EP |
| In Between | 2023 | Follow-up EP showing continued artistic development |
| “The Day The World Blows Up” | 2024 | Independent release with EVEN |
| “Burning” | 2024 | Continued independent work |
| “Ego” | 2025 | Introduced the next chapter of her album-era work |
Her debut EP, PRELUDE, marked an important point in her career because it allowed her to present a more intimate artistic identity. Her official biography describes the project as an independent release centered on songwriting, emotional expression and creative freedom.
She followed it with In Between in 2023. In 2024, she released “The Day The World Blows Up” and “Burning” through a partnership with EVEN, continuing an approach that gave her more direct involvement in how her music reached listeners.
💡 Pro Tip: When exploring an artist’s solo career, listen to projects in release order rather than starting with only the biggest single. It gives you a clearer sense of how the songwriting, production and subject matter developed over time.
What Makes Her Solo Work Different?
One of the clearest differences between Jauregui’s solo career and her Fifth Harmony years is the amount of room she has to shape her own artistic identity.
A group naturally requires multiple voices, personalities and creative preferences to work together. As a solo performer, Jauregui can build projects around her own songwriting perspective and choose collaborators according to the sound she wants to explore.
Her official biography also describes her music as a reflection of her inner world and observations, with themes connected to authenticity, personal expression and broader social issues.
That independence does not mean abandoning her pop background. Instead, her solo releases show how the experience of performing in a major group can become a foundation for a more individual sound.
Lauren Jauregui on Dancing with the Stars
Music was not the only major part of Jauregui’s recent public career. In 2025, she joined Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with professional dancer Brandon Armstrong. ABC announced her casting alongside celebrities including Jordan Chiles, Robert Irwin and Scott Hoying.
Her participation gave viewers an opportunity to see a different side of the performer. Instead of relying on singing, she had to learn ballroom choreography and perform under competition conditions.
Jauregui and Armstrong were eliminated in Week 3 of the season. ABC News reported that the season ultimately ended with Robert Irwin and Witney Carson winning the Mirrorball Trophy.
Her appearance was still notable because it connected directly with her background as a performer. During the season, she even danced to Fifth Harmony’s “Work From Home” during TikTok Night, bringing part of her musical history into the ballroom.
What Comes Next for Lauren Jauregui?
Jauregui’s official website says her debut solo album is part of the next chapter of her career, following the release of “Ego” in late 2025. The site describes the song as setting the stage for the anticipated album.
That makes her current career particularly interesting for longtime fans. Her story has moved through several distinct stages: The X Factor, Fifth Harmony, early collaborations, independent EPs and a broader creative presence beyond music.
📌 Key Takeaway: Lauren Jauregui’s career is defined by a gradual move from group success toward individual creative control, with solo releases and new performance opportunities shaping her next chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lauren Jauregui?
Lauren Jauregui is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter and performer from Miami. She first became widely known as a member of Fifth Harmony before pursuing a solo music career.
Was Lauren Jauregui in Fifth Harmony?
Yes. Jauregui was one of the members of Fifth Harmony, which was formed during The X Factor in 2012. The group later went on hiatus in 2018 as its members pursued solo projects.
What was Lauren Jauregui’s first solo song?
“Expectations,” released in 2018, is identified by Jauregui’s official biography as her debut solo single. The song has surpassed 100 million streams according to her official website.
What is Lauren Jauregui’s EP PRELUDE?
PRELUDE is Jauregui’s independent debut EP. It followed her departure from Columbia Records and was released through her independent creative setup, including Attunement Records and a distribution arrangement with AWAL.
Was Lauren Jauregui on Dancing with the Stars?
Yes. She competed on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars with professional partner Brandon Armstrong. The pair were eliminated in Week 3 of the 2025 season.
Conclusion
Lauren Jauregui has developed from a Fifth Harmony member into a solo artist with a distinct creative identity. Her independent releases, collaborations and television appearances have expanded her career beyond the group that first made her famous. With new music continuing to shape her next chapter, Lauren Jauregui remains an artist whose career is still evolving.
