Since it debuted on Netflix earlier this month, we haven’t been able to tear our eyes away from Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE – the gripping, dramatic (and admittedly more than a little problematic) documentary series about Dream Academy.
For those of you not yet in the know, Dream Academy is a talent competition/reality show/ hardcore training programme which aimed to mirror the success of K-pop and create a six-member global girl group called KATSEYE. The actual reality series Dream Academy aired back in Autumn 2023, but Netflix have now released a behind-the-scenes documentary about the process.
And whilst we’ve obviously been keeping tabs on the six girls that made it into KATSEYE and have gone on to release the incredibly catchy track Touch – the music video of which boasts over ten million views on YouTube – among others, we’re more interested in seeing what happened to the other girls that didn’t make the cut. As apparently are the rest of the Netflix documentary’s viewers because ‘Where are the Dream Academy girls now?’ is a trending search on Google at the moment.
So you’re welcome, because we’ve done the ultimate deep dive into the Dream Academy girls and can tell you what they’ve been up to since being eliminated from the cutthroat process.
Who are the members of KATSEYE?
KATSEYE consists of six winners of Dream Academy: Manon from Switzerland, Sophia from the Philippines, Daniela Avanzini from the USA, Lara Raj from the USA, Megan Skiendiel from the USA and Yoonchae from South Korea.
The group released their debut single Debut (very fitting) on 28 June 2024 and their EP entitled SIS (Soft Is Strong) on 16 August 2024.
Where is Abby from Dream Academy now?
Abby Saltzman - who hails from the USA - was one of the first girls released from Dream Academy.
Speaking about the experience Abby has said, ‘I’m so forever grateful to have trained with these amazing and talented girls for just about a year of my life. We have shared many laughs, tears, and triumphs. I can’t wait for what the future holds for all of us, the best is yet to come!
‘Words can’t describe how proud I am of my sisters KATSEYE. Go stream SIS!! Thank you to our teachers and T&D for being with us throughout this journey. And thank you to the talented team who made this all possible and told our beautiful story. Love you all endlessly. Thank you for these unforgettable memories!!’
Since being eliminated from the show, Abby has gone on to become a solo artist releasing tracks such as Fall Behind, Zero Chill and Break The Curse under the name Abby Paradise.
You can follow Abby on Instagram @abby.saltzman to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Adela from Dream Academy now?
Everyone though Adela Jergova would make the final six, but instead the Slovakian star is probably best known for having a fight with eventual winner Manon for not putting in enough effort and consistently being late.
Following the advice of the Popstar Academy mentors and coaches, Adela has gone on to pursue a solo career and released her debut track Homewrecked just yesterday.
You can follow Adela on Instagram @adelajergova to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Brooklyn from Dream Academy now?
Since Dream Academy, Brooklyn Van Zandt - who hails from the USA - has gone on to become a solo artist (there’s a recurring theme here), releasing the tracks Lie Like That, Crazy and Vicious.
Viewers will also be pleased to know that she’s still close friends with Abby.
You can follow Brooklyn on Instagram @houseofbrooklyn to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Celeste from Dream Academy now?
Celeste Diaz - who hails from Argentina - seems to just be living her best life in LA. She has teased that she might be releasing some solo music in the future, but hasn’t spilled the details (or the tracks) yet.
You can follow Celeste on Instagram @celestee._4 to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Emily from Dream Academy now?
The shortest of the contestants at 5ft, Emily Kelavos was robbed of a spot in KATSEYE according to literally all of the comments on her Instagram. Despite that, the USA-based star has nothing but positive things to say about her experience on Dream Academy.
She shared, ‘I am so incredibly grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to meet and train with such amazing and talented young women from all over the world! all the challenges and lessons that we have overcome together is something i will truly never forget. i am so proud of each and every one of us and can’t wait to see what this new journey brings! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! go watch now!!’
Since narrowly missing out on one of the six spots, Emily – who the other contestants labelled a young Britney - has kept up the dancing and regularly documents her progress on Instagram.
You can follow Emily on Instagram @emilykelavos to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Ezrela from Dream Academy now?
Thankfully Australia-based Ezrela is still besties with Lexie and has been embracing her new-found fame from Dream Academy.
Sadly we haven’t had any music from the 5ft 4 star yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
You can follow Ezrela on Instagram @ezrelaa to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Hinari from Dream Academy now?
The youngest star on Popstar Academy at just 14, Hinari Rinchan who hails from Japan won fans over with her sweet nature and, of course, incredible dance moves.
Since Popstar Academy debuted on Netflix earlier this month, Hinari has been posting lots of photos from behind the scenes of the show. Her fellow Dream Academy alumni are always quick to comment on her posts, showing that it’s not just the viewers that loved Hinari.
You can follow Hinari on Instagram @hina_rinchan to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Iliya from Dream Academy now?
One of the older contestants at 21 years old (yes, we know that’s actually incredibly young) Iliya Ria - who hails from Belarus - had never danced before taking part in Dream Academy. Yep, she really is just that naturally talented. Her singing voice was where she really shone though, with many viewers calling her best vocalist of the group.
Since the show finished, Iliya has been hobnobbing with celebs including Halsey at the face Performer Launch Dinner in LA in January. We love to see it!
You can follow Iliya on Instagram @iliya.ria to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Karlee from Dream Academy now?
Whilst Karlee - who hails from the USA - hasn’t released any of her own music since Dream Academy, she has been sharing some incredible covers across her socials. We’re talking Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder and How Deep Is Your Love to name just a few. We’re obsessed.
You can follow Karlee on Instagram @gnarly.karlee to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Lexie from Dream Academy now?
Lexie - who hails from Sweden - was the only star who decided the leave the show of her own volition after realising that the intensive process wasn’t for her. Despite that the now-model looks back on Dream Academy as a great experience.
She said, ‘Dream Academy has been unforgettable. It’s hard leaving something that means so much to you, but sometimes it’s actually what’s best for you. Life is an adventure with lots of changes. Sometimes it’s scary, but as long as you’re listening to your heart, life will lead you to happiness. Dream Academy will always have a special place in my heart, but now it’s meant for me to start a new chapter in my life. And I am now entering it as a stronger and better version of myself, all thanks to Dream Academy!’
You can follow Lexie on Instagram @levin_lexie to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Marquise from Dream Academy now?
Marquise - who hails from Thailand - has kept off the radar since she was eliminated from Dream Academy.
The only post on her Instagram account is a handwritten note thanking Dream Academy viewers for believing in her.
Where is Mei from Dream Academy now?
Mei - who hails from Japan - is another contestant who has shunned social media since Dream Academy – her Instagram has no photos on the feed and only boasts 93 followers.
Where is Naisha from Dream Academy now?
After being brutally eliminated for breaking her NDA, Naisha Dos Santos – who hails from the UK - has kept up the dancing since Dream Academy and now works as a model.
You can follow Naisha on Instagram @naishawaters to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Nayoung from Dream Academy now?
She may have been dropped from Dream Academy due to her openness about wanting to be a solo star, but Nayoung – who hails from South Korea – actually won another reality survivial show called Girls On Fire and is set to release music with them.
But whilst we wait for that, she regularly releases covers of popular songs to YouTube such as Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You.
You can follow Nayoung on Instagram @160.0_0 to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Samara from Dream Academy now?
Samara – who hails from Brazil - has luckily kept up the dancing since leaving Dream Academy and also calls herself a singer on her Instagram but hasn’t released any music yet.
You can follow Samara on Instagram @samisiqueiraa to see what she’s been up to.
Where is Ua from Dream Academy now?
Ua – who hails from Japan - has kept up the dancing and is a member of the dance troop La La Japan who recently performed at World of Dance.
You can follow Ua on Instagram @uachanmama to see what she’s been up to.
Daisy Hall is a News and Entertainment writer on Grazia, specialising in TV and film meaning that you can count on Daisy for the latest (and best) recommendations.